Book of the Week: Balance is BS

Every January, leaders feel the pressure to “get balanced.”

New routines.
New habits.
New expectations.

But if you lead in local government, you already know the truth: the work doesn’t slow down because the calendar flips. The weight doesn’t disappear because intentions are good. And balance, at least the way it’s been sold, has never quite fit the reality you live in.

That’s why this week inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), our book of the week is Balance Is BS: How to Thrive in the Tension of Municipal Life & Leadership, based on my most requested keynote and the book I’m currently writing.

Not because rest doesn’t matter.
Not because boundaries aren’t important.
But because municipal leadership isn’t lived on two scales; it’s lived in constant tension between meaningful priorities.

And tension, when handled with intention, is not a problem to solve.
It’s a reality to lead within.

What the MLDC offers that most leadership spaces don’t

The MLDC isn’t about adding more to your plate.
It’s about sharpening how you think, decide, and lead together.

Inside the MLDC, members unlock:

• Daily podcast episodes (short, practical, and grounded)
• Daily blog reflections tied directly to your unique leadership challenges
• Monthly book themes designed for local government leadership
• Conversation guides you can use with your team
• And most importantly, a community of local government leaders across North America who understand the weight you carry

This isn’t content for content’s sake.
It’s a steady, thoughtful drip of leadership development paired with encouragement, perspective, and shared wisdom from peers who are in the work with you.

Why community matters more than ever in 2026

Leadership can be isolating, especially in public service.
The decisions are heavy.
The expectations are constant.
And too many leaders feel like they’re carrying it alone.

The MLDC exists to change that.

Not by pretending the work is easy.
But by creating a space where leaders sharpen one another, speak honestly, and remind each other why this work matters.

If you’re looking for a year of clarity, growth, and connection…
not another course, not another conference…
I’d invite you to join us.

Secure your seat in the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Because balance isn’t the goal.
Thriving with intention is.

---

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a professional growth community exclusively for city/county managers, administrators, and local government leaders. Each week, we explore insights from transformative books and apply them specifically to the unique challenges of municipal leadership. Join Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, and leaders from across North America to build stronger cities through stronger leaders. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com/MLDC.