The Leader’s Lens

Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.

* indicates required
The Daily Snapshot

Yesterday, we kicked off our exploration of Frank Luntz’s “Words That Work” and its relevance to municipal leadership. Today, we’re diving deeper into one of Luntz’s core principles: the power of context. As a City Manager, understanding how to frame your message can be the difference between gaining enthusiastic support and facing stubborn resistance.


As a city manager, you navigate complex challenges daily. But what if your most powerful tool for success was right at your fingertips?

In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we dive into Frank Luntz’s groundbreaking book, “Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear.” This isn’t just another communication guide – it’s a game-changer for municipal leaders.


As a City Manager, you’re no stranger to the complexities of municipal governance. Every day, you navigate a labyrinth of challenges – from budget constraints to community concerns, from policy implementation to personnel management. But have you ever stopped to consider one of the most powerful tools at your disposal? It’s not your budget, your staff, or even your years of experience. It’s your words.

Welcome to our week-long exploration of Frank Luntz’s eye-opening book, “Words That Work,” and its profound implications for municipal leadership. As we dive into the world of effective communication, we’ll discover how the right words can transform your leadership, your team, and your entire community.


Welcome to the final installment of our week-long journey into strengths-based leadership, city managers! We’ve explored personal strengths, team awareness, and organizational dynamics. Today, we’re focusing on the crucial next step: implementation. Let’s turn these powerful insights from “Strengths-Based Leadership” by Rath and Conchie into actionable strategies for your municipality.


Welcome back, leaders! We’ve explored personal strengths and team awareness. Today, we’re connecting the dots to show how strengths-based leadership can revolutionize team building in your municipal organization.


So far this week, we’ve explored self-awareness and your personal strengths. Today, we’re widening our lens to focus on a crucial aspect of strengths-based leadership: recognizing and leveraging the diverse strengths of your team.


Welcome back, city leaders! Yesterday, we introduced the groundbreaking concepts from “Strengths Based Leadership” by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie. Today, we’re diving deep into the cornerstone of effective leadership: self-awareness.


City Managers and Municipal Leaders,

Are you ready to enhance your leadership skills and transform your city? This week, we’re embarking on an exciting journey into the world of strengths-based leadership, and you’re invited to join us every step of the way.

Your Leadership Upgrade Starts Now

Today marks the launch of our latest podcast episode, where we dive deep into the transformative concepts from “Strengths Based Leadership” by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie. In this episode, you’ll discover:


I’m thrilled to kick off this week’s deep dive into a game-changing book that has the potential to revolutionize how you lead your teams and serve your communities.

We’re going to explore “Strengths Based Leadership” by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, a powerful resource that aligns perfectly with the ‘A’ (Awareness) in my ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. But don’t worry if you haven’t read it yet – I’ll be your guide through its most crucial insights and how they apply to your unique role as a city manager.


Interdepartmental conflict remains one of the most persistent challenges faced by municipal leaders today. Yet, cities that foster collaborative cultures consistently outperform their peers in meeting community goals. The key differentiator? Effective leadership that intentionally breaks down silos and builds up cooperation.