The Leader’s Lens

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At the heart of every thriving community lies an unseen high-wire act: city management. As a city manager, you’re not just walking a tightrope – you’re doing so while taming a three-headed snake, each head representing a crucial stakeholder: department heads, elected officials, and community citizens. It’s a delicate balance of collaboration, diplomacy, and strategic leadership that few truly understand.

That’s why we’ve created this new, 5-part podcast series titled, “The Municipal Tightrope: Taming the Three-Headed Snake.” Drawing from insightful interviews with almost 50 city managers across America, this series pulls back the curtain on the challenges, triumphs, and daily realities of those who keep our cities running.


Welcome to the fourth episode of our podcast series, “The Municipal Tightrope: Taming the Three-Headed Snake.” In this installment, we shift our focus to an often-overlooked aspect of city management: the personal challenges and sacrifices faced by those who dedicate their lives to public service.


Welcome to the third episode of our podcast series, “The Municipal Tightrope: Taming the Three-Headed Snake.” After exploring the challenges faced by city managers, we now turn our attention to the strategies and approaches that successful municipal leaders use to overcome these obstacles.


Welcome back to our podcast series, “The Municipal Tightrope: Taming the Three-Headed Snake.” In this second installment, we dive deeper into the challenges that make city management one of the most demanding jobs in public service.

Episode 2: Navigating the Complexities of City Management

Building on our introduction to city managers, this episode explores the obstacles and dilemmas that these municipal leaders face daily. Drawing from our extensive interviews with nearly 50 city managers across the United States, we uncover the real-world challenges of running a city.


Welcome to the premiere episode of our new podcast series, “The Municipal Tightrope: Taming the Three-Headed Snake.” In this five-part journey, we’ll be exploring the complex and often overlooked world of city management.

Episode 1: Meet the Unsung Heroes of Local Government

In our inaugural episode, we introduce you to the dedicated professionals who keep our cities running smoothly: America’s city managers. Drawing from interviews with nearly 50 city managers across the United States, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of municipal leadership.