Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 236 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies and Zencity
Most city managers don’t set out to become city managers. For Lee Feldman, it started as a summer internship and a gopher job in a city manager’s office in North Miami Beach. He had no idea at the time that it would lead to a career spanning four decades, four major cities, and a term as ICMA President.
But Lee’s story isn’t just about longevity. It’s about knowing when to say yes to opportunity…and when to walk away.
Lee describes the sharp divide between being a deputy and being the city manager. As deputy, you have friends. As manager, you suddenly have people who want you to think they’re your friends. The role is lonelier, your words carry more weight, and the responsibility to hold people accountable falls squarely on you.
That shift is one every municipal leader eventually feels. It’s a reminder that leadership always costs something, but it can also create a culture worth following.
One of the most powerful parts of Lee’s legacy isn’t in buildings or budgets; it’s in culture. He made time for “Lunch with Lee,” random lunches with frontline employees where conversations ranged from Walmart sales to city vision. He hand-signed anniversary cards for every employee, sometimes adding personal notes of thanks.
Years later, former employees still keep those cards pinned in their offices. Proof that what leaders often dismiss as “small” is often the most enduring.
In Fort Lauderdale, Lee stopped using the word “resident” and started calling people neighbors. Employees became community builders.
The shift wasn’t a gimmick; it was a rallying cry. Every department, from police to planning, shared one simple mission: We build community.
It stuck. So much so that Fort Lauderdale police cruisers eventually dropped “Protect and Serve” and replaced it with “We Build Community.” That’s the power of words backed by vision.
Lee also learned the harder lesson: when it’s time to go. After a heart attack and a toxic relationship with a newly elected mayor, he realized no job was worth his health.
His advice to leaders: “When you wake up two mornings in a row not wanting to go to work, it’s time to leave.”
For leaders who love their cities, that’s not easy to hear. But it’s permission many need: leaving isn’t failure. Sometimes it’s the most responsible act of leadership—for yourself, your family, and your city.
City managers are often the loneliest people in the room. That’s why Lee stayed active in the Florida City Managers Association, the National League of Cities, and ICMA. It wasn’t just about career advancement; it was survival.
Even today, he fields calls from managers across the country who need a sounding board. Because sometimes, the only people who understand the weight of the job are those who’ve carried it.
Episode 236 of The HaltingWinter Podcast is more than a look back at a career. It’s a challenge to today’s leaders:
Lee Feldman’s story is a reminder that the work of local government is never just about policy or budgets; it’s about people, culture, and the courage to lead in seasons of both stability and crisis.
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This episode is brought to you by Zencity, the community engagement platform that helps public sector leaders hear from all residents—not just the “same ten people.” Their AI-powered tools make it easier to understand what your community really needs and to act on it with confidence. Schedule a demo at zencity.io →
We’re also proud to be sponsored by Tyler Technologies, a leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From civic services to public safety, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities. Learn more at tylertech.com →
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
