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The Leader’s Lens

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

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The HaltingWinter Podcast: Phil Kiraly

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.


The HaltingWinter Podcast: Mindset

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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The HaltingWinter Podcast: Monte Walker

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.


The HaltingWinter Podcast: Good to Great

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.


The HaltingWinter Podcast: Monte Walker

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.


The HaltingWinter Podcast: Monte Walker

Are you quietly questioning whether your employee recognition programs and incentive systems are actually working? You’re not alone. As municipal leaders, many often find themselves implementing the same motivation strategies that have been used for decades – but what if there’s a better way?

In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter challenges conventional wisdom about motivation in municipal government, drawing powerful insights from Daniel Pink’s “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” Through real-world examples and surprising research, we explore why traditional approaches to motivation often backfire in public service – and what actually works.


The HaltingWinter Podcast: Monte Walker

When you think of the typical career path to city administration, you probably don’t envision thirty years of Friday night football broadcasts, owning the local newspaper, and having family roots that stretch back to 1895. But for Monte Walker, City Administrator of Howe, Texas, this unique combination of experiences created a leadership perspective perfectly suited for guiding his hometown through transformative change.


Are you trapped in the productivity paradox? As municipal leaders, you might often pride yourself on being the first in, last out, and handling multiple crises simultaneously. But what if this dedication to productivity is actually holding you back from true leadership effectiveness?

In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter challenges our fundamental understanding of municipal leadership with insights from Peter Drucker’s “The Effective Executive.” Through a compelling story of a city manager caught in the productivity trap, we explore why doing things right isn’t the same as doing the right things.


What happens when you grow up in a family where public service runs deep? For Martha Bennett, City Manager of Lake Oswego, Oregon, watching her father’s career in city management wasn’t what initially drew her attention – in fact, she was so determined not to follow in her dad’s accounting footsteps that she almost missed her calling in municipal leadership altogether.

In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Martha shares her unique journey from a “city hall kid” to becoming one of Oregon’s most respected municipal leaders. Her story offers invaluable insights for anyone invested in the future of local government leadership.


As a city manager, you face moments every day where technical expertise alone isn’t enough. That contentious council meeting, the frustrated department head, the concerned community group – these situations demand a different kind of intelligence. One that determines whether you merely manage challenges or truly lead through them.

That’s why this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast is crucial for your leadership journey. We’re exploring Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking work on “Emotional Intelligence,” specifically through the lens of municipal leadership where the stakes are high and the pressures are constant.