Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
What does it take to lead a city of 120,000 residents with a budget of nearly $400 million and 1,100 employees? How do you balance the competing demands of elected officials, department heads, and citizens while maintaining your own sense of identity and purpose?
In episode 149 of the Halting Winter podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Zach Walker, City Manager of Independence, Missouri to explore these questions and more. Their conversation reveals insights that resonate far beyond city management, touching on universal leadership challenges we all face.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Zach’s story is how his career journey took unexpected turns. Initially pursuing sports broadcasting, a pivotal experience shadowing a Kansas City Chiefs radio announcer revealed that what looks glamorous from the outside often demands sacrifices few are willing to make.
As Zach reflects during the podcast:
“I want to find something I’m passionate about, something I love… if you’re having fun and feeling like you’re making a difference, then to me those are the metrics of you’re in the right career path.”
This wisdom from a professor would later guide his decisions: “Sometimes you climb the ladder of success and you get on top of the roof that you thought you were climbing and you look over and think, ‘I put my ladder against the wrong building.'”
One of the most compelling moments in the interview comes when Zach discusses his transition to becoming City Manager. Instead of pretending to have all the answers, he demonstrated remarkable self-awareness by hiring two experienced city managers to serve as his assistants:
“I was very self-aware and very humble in approaching that hire and saying, I need people that know how to do this job… I knew I needed that wisdom and somebody who’s been in that chair and in that role to sort of be my training wheels.”
This level of honesty—acknowledging one’s limitations and strategically building a team to complement them—is a masterclass in authentic leadership.
Perhaps the most practical takeaway from Zach’s interview is his approach to work-life balance in a role that never truly shuts off. He shares specific strategies that have helped him avoid burnout:
As Zach notes, “If you’re not intentional about it, you’re not going to prioritize it.”
At the heart of the conversation is a profound reminder about maintaining perspective in leadership positions:
“Eventually my signature on an ordinance in 20 years…somebody’s gonna be looking at it saying who is that guy? We’re all replaceable. It’s just the way it is. You gotta have an identity outside of this place. Who are you to your friends, to your family, to your kids? Because that’s what’s gonna matter at the end.”
Subscribe to the Halting Winter podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform to ensure you never miss conversations with inspiring municipal leaders.
If you’re a city manager or municipal leader in Missouri, don’t miss the opportunity to hear Seth Winterhalter deliver two keynote messages at the Missouri City and County Managers Association Spring Conference. The event begins April 30th at the Margaritaville Resort. Register here.
At Halting Winter Municipal Solutions, we’re committed to empowering city managers and municipal leaders through executive coaching, consulting, and professional development. If you’re looking to enhance your leadership impact in 2025, learn more about our Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) at haltingwinter.com.
Seth Winterhalter is the President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions and host of The HaltingWinter Podcast. Through his innovative “ABCs of Impactful Leadership” framework, Seth helps municipal leaders navigate complex challenges, balance competing demands, and create thriving workplace cultures.
