Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 260 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
When most people think of leadership in local government, they picture policy debates, budget battles, and the relentless pressure of public scrutiny. What they rarely see is the quieter work—the listening, the learning, the steady presence—that actually holds an organization together.
That’s the work Paul Nerland has committed his life to.
In Episode 260 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, “The Leader Who Never Stopped Listening,” Paul shares the surprising and deeply human story behind his leadership journey. And in doing so, he offers a masterclass for anyone serving in local government today.
Paul grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where his father worked as the Fleet Controller for the City of Calgary. That early exposure shaped his understanding of public service long before he had language for it.
When his family later moved to Fresno after his father was selected as Fleet Manager for the City of Fresno, Paul discovered a completely different world—one defined by agriculture, community, and the realities of local government you can’t see from the outside.
He didn’t know it then, but those roots would anchor his entire career.
Today, Paul serves as CEO of Fresno County, a region far more complex than its reputation suggests.
As Paul notes, a couple of small states don’t have budgets this large.
It’s a scale most people will never see, but every local government leader knows the feeling: the weight of decisions, the pace of crises, and the complexity of leading in the public eye.
What makes Paul’s story different is how he chose to lead.
Instead of starting with new projects or new policy agendas, his first priority was employees.
He launched a countywide employee engagement survey with Great Place to Work—not for the label, but for the baseline. He built a cross-departmental engagement committee. He stayed personally present in the conversations, even when the feedback stung.
As he puts it:
“It’s humbling…you read some things that—ouch—okay, here are things we need to do better.”
And then he followed through.
Even when they couldn’t fix everything, employees could see that leadership was paying attention, and that alone reshaped morale and trust.
“If you show you’re listening and you act on it…the amount of goodwill and morale you build is amazing.”
This is what culture work looks like in real government—not slogans, not memos, but listening backed by action.
Paul also speaks candidly about navigating the relationship with his board, an essential but often unspoken part of local government leadership.
His approach was simple:
Listen first. Act second.
He was relentless about understanding each board member’s priorities, pressure points, and context.
“You’ve got to be tuned in. What are your elected leaders looking for? What are their pain points?”
In a role where politics and policy collide daily, Paul shows that clarity and alignment are not compromises, they’re necessities.
The through-line of Paul’s career is crystal clear:
Pay attention.
Attention builds trust.
Attention drives culture.
Attention creates alignment.
Attention reveals what your people need before burnout takes them out.
Attention is the leadership advantage most organizations overlook.
And in Fresno County, that advantage is changing everything.
Episode 260: “The Leader Who Never Stopped Listening”
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and at haltingwinter.com/resources
This episode is sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the 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/winter →
The MLDC is where local government leaders go to grow, together. It’s the fastest-growing leadership development community designed specifically for the public sector, now paired with a comprehensive 9-month Leadership & Culture Program for those ready to elevate their organization.
Members receive weekly leadership content, access to our daily podcast, monthly virtual trainings, and a clear roadmap for building a culture that reduces burnout, strengthens retention, and drives meaningful impact in every department.
If you’re committed to leading well and shaping a healthier culture for your team, now is the time to save your seat for the 2026 cohort.
Learn more at haltingwinter.com/mldc →
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.
