Introducing: The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - Save 50% During Launch Phase
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As I sit here on Christmas Eve, I’m reminded of a conversation I had last week with a city manager. “Seth,” he said, his voice tired, “I just want time to focus on what actually matters. Everything feels urgent, but I’m not sure it’s all important.”
His words echo Stephen Covey’s profound insight: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Yet for most municipal leaders, this feels like an impossible dream – especially during the holidays when personal and professional demands collide with even greater intensity.
Look at your calendar right now. I’m willing to bet it’s filled with:
Meanwhile, what truly matters – your development as a leader, your strategic thinking time, and your personal well-being – gets pushed to “someday.” But here’s the truth: someday isn’t coming unless you create it.
As we pause for the holidays, consider this: The greatest gift you can give your community, your team, and yourself isn’t more of your time – it’s better use of your time. It’s the gift of focused attention on what truly matters.
Stephen Covey taught us to divide our activities into four quadrants:
Most municipal leaders spend their days trapped in Quadrant 3 (urgent but not important) – responding to “emergencies” that aren’t truly important, attending meetings that could be emails, and handling issues that could be delegated. Meanwhile, Quadrant 2 (not urgent but important) – where real leadership growth, strategic planning, and preventive work happens – remains neglected.
“I’ll focus on my development after the new year.”
“I’ll make time for strategic thinking once this crisis passes.”
“I’ll invest in my growth when things calm down.”
Sound familiar? Here’s the hard truth: Things won’t calm down. The crises won’t stop. The urgent will always try to crowd out the important.
The real question isn’t when you’ll have time. It’s whether you’ll make time.
Imagine if 2025 could be different. Imagine:
This isn’t just a holiday wish. It’s an achievable reality – but only if you choose it.
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. The same is true for investing in your leadership development. As we close out 2024, you have a choice:
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) provides the system, support, and structure to finally put first things first. As someone dedicated to transforming municipal leadership, I intentionally limit program access to ensure each leader receives the focused attention needed for real growth. These spaces – including essential elements like executive coaching and personal development guidance – are allocated first to those who act decisively.
Don’t let another year pass postponing what matters most. Don’t watch more opportunities slip away while waiting for the “right time.”
→ See why the MLDC is the right program for you
The leaders who act now will secure priority access to all program features. The ones who wait will still be struggling to find time for what matters most next year.
Seth Winterhalter is the President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions and creator of the ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. Through the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), he helps municipal leaders transform time management from a constant struggle into a strategic advantage.
