Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
Hello, Impactful City Leaders!
Welcome to this week’s edition of “The Leader’s Lens!” As we gather during this special week between Christmas and New Year’s, we’re exploring Stephen Covey’s timeless wisdom through a municipal lens, discovering how his principles can transform both our leadership impact and personal effectiveness in 2025.
As we close out both this holiday week and 2024, it’s time to transform the powerful insights from Covey’s work into concrete action steps for your municipal leadership journey. This week, we’ve explored three transformative habits: Beginning with the End in Mind, Seeking First to Understand, and Sharpening the Saw. Now, let’s create a practical implementation plan that works in the real world of city management.
As we gather with loved ones this holiday season, many city managers find themselves still tethered to their phones, responding to emails between family moments, or mentally processing work challenges during what should be downtime. This reality makes Covey’s seventh habit, “Sharpen the Saw,” perhaps the most crucial yet challenging principle for municipal leaders to embrace.
In municipal leadership, there is a common temptation to pride oneself on the ability to explain complex policies, defend budget decisions, or present compelling visions for your cities. Yet, as Stephen Covey teaches in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” the most powerful tool in our leadership arsenal isn’t our ability to speak – it’s our capacity to truly understand.
In the quiet moments between council meetings and community crises, we’ve captured something special: a celebration of municipal leadership wrapped in holiday tradition. Today, we’re excited to present a unique tribute to city managers in two formats: an immersive audio experience on the HaltingWinter Podcast and a beautifully crafted PDF keepsake.
When everyone else has gone home for the holidays, city managers remain vigilant, ensuring their communities continue to thrive. This reimagining of the classic “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” honors that dedication, transforming municipal service into holiday magic. From neighborhood concerns to late-night emergencies, this poem captures the essence of local government leadership with a festive twist.
Listen to the Story: Episode 129 of The HaltingWinter Podcast brings this municipal Christmas tale to life through narration.
Download the PDF: Our professionally designed PDF version serves as a lasting reminder of municipal leadership’s impact.
In local government, the holiday season doesn’t mean operations pause. This piece recognizes those who maintain our communities while others celebrate – the true spirit of public service wrapped in seasonal charm.
Know a city manager, department head, or municipal leader who could use some holiday encouragement? Forward them this celebration of their dedication.
From our office to your city hall, thank you for your unwavering commitment to public service. Here’s to the leaders who, like the poem’s protagonist, ensure our communities thrive through every season.
Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, results-based consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their vision into reality while building lasting foundations for community success. Looking for year-round municipal leadership development? Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) for ongoing support and growth: www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
In the daily whirlwind of municipal management, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of reactive leadership. A water main breaks at 2 AM, the council needs urgent budget revisions, and three department heads are waiting for crucial decisions. Yet, as Stephen Covey reminds us in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” true leadership effectiveness starts with “Beginning with the End in Mind.”
As city managers, you can often find yourself in a unique position during this final week of the year. While many professionals are fully disconnected for the holidays, you’re straddling two worlds – trying to be present with family while keeping our cities running smoothly. It’s in this sacred space between Christmas and New Year’s that you have a rare opportunity to both reflect and look forward.
That’s why this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast couldn’t be more timely. We’re diving into Stephen Covey’s transformative work, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” but with a specific municipal leadership lens that makes these principles immediately applicable to your role as a city manager.
As we gather with loved ones this holiday season and prepare to welcome in 2025, it’s the perfect time for municipal leaders to reflect on their leadership journey and prepare for the challenges ahead. Stephen Covey’s timeless classic, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” offers profound insights that resonate deeply with the unique demands of city management.
This week, as many of us take a breath during the holiday season, we’ll explore three transformative principles from Covey’s work that can significantly upgrade your approach to municipal leadership. These insights align perfectly with the natural rhythm of year-end reflection and new-year planning.
This week, we’ve explored Matthew Kelly’s remarkable insights from his book, “Off Balance” through the lens of municipal leadership. But as every city manager knows, insights without implementation are just good intentions. Today, we’re turning understanding into action.
Throughout 2024, I’ve had the privilege of coaching and connecting with city managers across the country. While each leader faces unique challenges, one theme has emerged consistently in almost every conversation: the struggle with crucial conversations.
Whether it’s addressing performance issues, navigating council relationships, or building stronger teams, many municipal leaders find themselves caught between knowing what needs to be said and finding the right way to say it.
