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As we gather with loved ones this holiday season and prepare to welcome in 2025, it’s the perfect time for municipal leaders to reflect on their leadership journey and prepare for the challenges ahead. Stephen Covey’s timeless classic, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” offers profound insights that resonate deeply with the unique demands of city management.
This week, as many of us take a breath during the holiday season, we’ll explore three transformative principles from Covey’s work that can significantly upgrade your approach to municipal leadership. These insights align perfectly with the natural rhythm of year-end reflection and new-year planning.
In municipal government, where daily crises can easily consume our attention, Covey’s second habit – “Begin with the End in Mind” – takes on special significance. As city managers, you’re not just handling today’s water main break or tomorrow’s council meeting; you’re crafting the future of our communities.
This principle challenges us to lift our eyes from the immediate and envision our legacy. What kind of community are we building? How are we developing our teams? What impact will our leadership have long after we’ve moved on? These questions become particularly poignant as we close one year and begin another.
In an era of increasing polarization and competing community demands, Covey’s fifth habit – “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” – offers a masterclass in stakeholder engagement. This principle transforms how we handle everything from citizen complaints to council presentations to department head meetings.
The most effective city managers aren’t just good at explaining their positions; they’re exceptional at truly understanding the perspectives, needs, and concerns of others. This deep understanding becomes the foundation for building trust and driving meaningful change.
Perhaps most crucial for our profession is Covey’s seventh habit – “Sharpen the Saw.” In a role where burnout is common and work-life boundaries are constantly challenged, this principle of self-renewal isn’t just good advice – it’s essential for survival and success.
As we approach the new year, this habit reminds us that our effectiveness as leaders depends on our commitment to continuous personal and professional renewal. It’s about creating sustainable practices that allow us to lead with energy and wisdom over the long haul.
Join us this week as we deep dive into each of these principles, exploring practical applications for municipal leadership:
Transform Your Leadership Journey in 2025
As we explore these timeless principles, consider taking your leadership development to the next level. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching on January 6, 2025, offers city managers a structured pathway to leadership excellence. Through our program, you’ll join a community of municipal leaders dedicated to personal growth and organizational transformation, with expert guidance on applying principles like Covey’s in the unique context of city management.
Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their vision into reality while building lasting foundations for community success.
