Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 238 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Zencity and Tyler Technologies
City management is often described in terms of budgets, ordinances, and long-term planning. But those who’ve sat in the chair know the reality is far more volatile: power struggles, political pressure, and crises that erupt with no warning.
In Episode 238 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we sit down with Lori Curtis Luther, City Manager of Overland Park, Kansas, to hear the unfiltered truth of leading a city when the spotlight turns harsh and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Lori’s career has been marked by decisions most managers hope they’ll never face. Early in her tenure as City Manager in Beloit, Wisconsin, a law enforcement study forced immediate action. In a matter of days, she had to remove both the police chief and deputy chief, without a clear legal framework for doing so.
It was a crash course in leadership when the rules don’t give you cover, and the community can’t afford to wait.
Like every local leader, Lori faced the once-in-a-generation pressure cooker of COVID-19. With a meat processing facility outbreak hitting her Latinx community, she personally recorded public service announcements in Spanish and pushed mask ordinances through her council.
For the first time in her career, the hate mail and threats started pouring in. Lori describes the surreal moment when doing the right thing for public health suddenly made her a target.
Today, in Overland Park, she leads a city of more than 200,000 residents with 13 elected officials on the governing body. For most city managers, that setup sounds like a recipe for chaos. Yet Lori has found ways to navigate the politics, prioritize long-term vision, and build trust in an environment where it’s easy to burn out.
Her lessons are blunt but invaluable:
Lori’s story is a reminder that city management isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s messy, political, and often thankless. But it’s also where real impact happens—where decisions shape neighborhoods, protect families, and build communities.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading through conflict, crisis, or public firestorms, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that there are ways to lead with resilience and authenticity even in the toughest seasons.
Listen to Episode 238 now: The Messy Truth of City Management: Power Struggles, Public Pressure, and Daily Firestorms
Available on all major podcast platforms and at www.haltingwinter.com.
This episode is made possible by our sponsors:
Tyler Technologies
Helping municipalities modernize, streamline, and better serve their residents with innovative digital solutions. Learn how Tyler supports local governments at www.tylertech.com/winter
Zencity
Giving leaders a clear view of what their community really thinks and needs—not just the “same ten people.” With real-time insights, you can lead with confidence. Discover how Zencity helps municipal leaders listen and respond at www.info.zencity.io/winter
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.
