New Podcast Series: The Energy-Driven Municipal Leader

This week on the HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re diving into a helpful approach to municipal leadership using the insights from “The Power of Full Engagement” by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. If you’re a city manager or administrator feeling constantly drained despite what you believe is effective time management, this episode could transform your approach to leadership.

148: The Energy-Driven Municipal Leader

Just the other day, I was speaking with a city manager who described his typical day: a 7 AM emergency response meeting, back-to-back department head reviews, a contentious afternoon meeting about an ongoing development project, and community engagement until 9 PM. Sound familiar?

The problem isn’t his schedule – it’s our entire approach to performance. We’ve been focused on managing time when we should be managing energy.

Think about your most effective moments as a leader. I bet they weren’t determined by how many hours you worked, but by the energy you brought to crucial decisions.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

In this podcast, we explore why managing energy trumps managing time for sustainable municipal leadership. You’ll discover:

• Why your effectiveness as a leader isn’t about endurance – it’s about energy management
• How one city manager transformed his approach by using “energy blocks” instead of time blocks
• The myth of steady-state performance and why it’s hurting your leadership
• Practical strategies for building recovery routines that enhance your productivity
• A simple approach to managing your energy across four dimensions – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual

Practical Application for Municipal Leaders

This episode isn’t just theoretical – it offers immediate actionable steps for municipal leaders. You’ll walk away with a practical exercise to analyze your calendar from an energy perspective rather than a time perspective, potentially transforming how you approach your most important leadership moments.

When that 2 AM crisis hits, your city doesn’t need more of your time. It needs your best energy to make clear decisions under pressure.

Unlock the Complete Series

This episode is the first in our five-part series exploring “The Power of Full Engagement” for municipal leaders. MLDC members get exclusive access to:

• All five podcast episodes delving into each dimension of energy management
• Daily deep-dive blog posts with municipal-specific applications
• Friday’s Virtual Book Club discussion with fellow municipal leaders
• Practical implementation tools and assessments
• A supportive community of city managers and administrators

Experience the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with our 7-day free trial. No upfront commitment required. See firsthand how this community can help you take your leadership and organizational culture to the next level.

Your community deserves more than your time – it deserves your best energy. Start your journey toward energy-optimized leadership today.

START YOUR FREE MLDC TRIAL HERE →

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Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, results-based consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.