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.
What does it take to lead a city of 120,000 residents with a budget of nearly $400 million and 1,100 employees? How do you balance the competing demands of elected officials, department heads, and citizens while maintaining your own sense of identity and purpose?
In episode 149 of the Halting Winter podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Zach Walker, City Manager of Independence, Missouri to explore these questions and more. Their conversation reveals insights that resonate far beyond city management, touching on universal leadership challenges we all face.
This week on the HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re diving into a helpful approach to municipal leadership using the insights from “The Power of Full Engagement” by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. If you’re a city manager or administrator feeling constantly drained despite what you believe is effective time management, this episode could transform your approach to leadership.
In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Amanda Mack, City Administrator of Harrisburg, South Dakota, for a captivating conversation about municipal leadership, relationship building, and finding your authentic leadership style. Amanda brings a refreshing perspective to city management through her non-traditional path, political background, and commitment to authentic leadership.
Are you running your city—or is your autopilot doing it for you?
This Monday marks the beginning of an eye-opening journey into the unseen forces shaping your leadership decisions. Join me as the MLDC dives into Daniel Kahneman’s book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” unpacking his insights on how our minds actually work, translated specifically for the unique challenges of municipal leadership.
When Joe Irvin took the helm as City Manager of South Lake Tahoe in May 2020, he faced an extraordinary challenge. Tourism revenue had plummeted from over $1 million to under $50,000 a month, his staff was working remotely, and he had to build relationships with a team he could barely meet in person. But this wasn’t the first time Irvin had embraced a challenge in South Lake Tahoe.
In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Irvin shares his remarkable journey from entrepreneurial college student selling snowboard wax to leading one of California’s most unique cities. His story offers valuable insights for any municipal leader grappling with organizational change, crisis management, or work-life integration.
Every morning in city halls across America, dedicated public servants arrive ready to serve their communities. They manage projects, oversee budgets, and navigate complex political landscapes. Yet something is often missing – that deeper connection between daily tasks and lasting community impact.
In the latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Steve Pauken, City Manager of Bisbee, Arizona, shares a transformative insight that changed his entire approach to city management: “The motive should always be to find a way to yes.”
This wasn’t just a catchy phrase, but a hard-earned lesson from a pivotal moment in his career. Early on, a mayor gave him feedback that would reshape his leadership philosophy: “Steve, you just say no too often.” That criticism led to deep reflection and eventually, a complete transformation in how he approached municipal leadership.
The most effective municipal teams didn’t start that way. They became exceptional by acknowledging an uncomfortable truth: surface-level harmony often masks deeper dysfunction.
In today’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we explore what I call the “municipal mask” – that professional facade we feel compelled to maintain in public service. Drawing from Patrick Lencioni’s “Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” we examine how this mask impacts everything from council meetings to departmental collaboration.
In this week’s leadership interview on The HaltingWinter Podcast, we explore the delicate balance of establishing authority while building trust as a city’s first administrator. Dustin Stambaugh, City Administrator of Fairfax, Iowa, shares his journey from military leadership to municipal management, offering valuable insights on the power of authentic vulnerability in public service.
Every city manager knows the moment: It’s Monday morning. Your inbox holds a pointed email from your city council, your most experienced department head just announced retirement, and community groups are demanding immediate action on emerging challenges.
In these pressure-cooker moments, something more fundamental than experience or expertise determines your effectiveness: your mindset.
