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.
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.
In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we explore how personal legacy shapes professional purpose through the remarkable journey of Phil Kiraly, Village Manager of Glencoe, Illinois. From his parents’ dramatic escape from Hungary as refugees in 1956 to his innovative leadership in modern municipal government, Phil’s story exemplifies how deep purpose drives meaningful public service.
Today on The HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re diving deep into Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking work “Mindset” and its profound implications for municipal leadership.
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In an era where cities face increasingly complex challenges, traditional hierarchical structures often fall short. But what if there was a way to transform every employee into a leader? What if budget decisions could come from those closest to the work? What if departmental silos could truly be broken down?
In Episode 137 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Travis Rothweiler, City Manager of Twin Falls, Idaho, shares how he’s doing exactly that through an innovative approach called the “One City” initiative.
As municipal leaders, you will often find yourself navigating between “good enough” and truly exceptional service delivery. In this week’s episode of the HaltingWinter Podcast, we dive deep into Jim Collins’ revolutionary concepts from “Good to Great” and explore their powerful applications in municipal government.
In the latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we dive into an extraordinary conversation with Sam Toles, CEO of CiviSocial, whose journey from Hollywood executive to municipal communications innovator offers groundbreaking insights for city leaders.
Sam’s career spans roles at MGM, Bleacher Report, and working with leading content creators like Mr. Beast. But what makes his perspective truly unique is how he’s translated these high-level media insights into practical strategies for local governments.
