Energy Management: The City Manager’s Secret Weapon

My breaking point came on a Sunday afternoon. As a lead pastor of a growing church, I had just finished delivering two morning sermons, attended two leadership meetings, and was preparing for an evening event. On paper, I was succeeding. In reality, I was empty.

This moment mirrors what I hear from city managers across the country. The calendar says you’re managing your time well, but your mind, body, and spirit tell a different story. This is where Matthew Kelly’s insights in “Off Balance” become transformative, especially for municipal leaders.

Kelly argues that while we obsess over time management, we’re ignoring something far more crucial: energy management. For city managers facing the unique demands of municipal leadership, this distinction is vital for longevity and success.

Let’s break down why:

The Energy Paradox in Municipal Leadership

• You can manage your calendar perfectly and still feel exhausted
• You can delegate tasks effectively and still feel drained
• You can “balance” your time and still burn out

Why? Because time isn’t the real currency of leadership—energy is.

Understanding Your Energy Matrix

Kelly introduces a brilliant framework for understanding personal energy. Let’s adapt it specifically for city managers:

1. Physical Energy

• Extended council meetings
• Long budget sessions
• Crisis response
• Late-night emergency calls

2. Emotional Energy

• Difficult personnel decisions
• Public criticism
• Political navigation
• Community conflicts

3. Mental Energy

• Strategic planning
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Innovation

4. Spiritual Energy (Purpose)

• Community impact
• Team development
• City vision-casting
• Legacy building

The Municipal Energy Trap

Most city managers I work with are juggling the first three energy types while often neglecting the fourth. This creates what I call the “Municipal Energy Trap”—where you’re technically doing everything right but still feeling unfulfilled.

Breaking Free: The Energy-First Approach Here’s how to apply Kelly’s principles in your role:

1. Energy Mapping

• Track which activities energize vs. drain you
• Identify your peak energy times for different tasks
• Note which stakeholder interactions require the most energy
• Document your energy patterns during different seasons

2. Strategic Energy Allocation

• Schedule high-stakes meetings during your peak energy times
• Buffer demanding activities with recovery periods
• Build in energy renewal practices throughout your day
• Align your most meaningful work with your highest energy periods

3. Energy Multiplication

• Identify activities that generate energy (like mentoring or strategic planning)
• Increase time spent on energy-generating activities
• Delegate or restructure energy-draining tasks
• Create systems that preserve energy for critical leadership moments

The Power of Purpose: Kelly emphasizes that when we align our energy with our purpose, we experience satisfaction regardless of perfect balance. For city managers, this means:

• Connecting daily tasks to your larger mission
• Finding meaning in challenges
• Building energy through impact
• Leading from a place of purpose, not just responsibility

Remember: You can’t add more hours to your day, but you can multiply your energy through intentional management.

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Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their energy management and leadership sustainability.