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.
This week in the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), we’re diving into Greg McKeown’s groundbreaking book, “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.” Like every book we explore together in our community, we’re examining its powerful principles specifically through the lens of public sector leadership. And for city managers drowning in competing demands, this week’s exploration couldn’t be more timely—because in a profession where everyone expects you to do everything, learning to focus on what truly matters might be the most revolutionary leadership skill you’ll ever develop.
Your calendar is triple-booked. Your inbox overflows with urgent requests. Three council members want different priorities addressed immediately. The local newspaper is calling about an emerging issue. And you’ve just been handed another state mandate with no funding attached.
As a city manager or administrator, your professional life consists of balancing competing priorities from countless stakeholders. But this constant juggling act comes with a hidden price that extends far beyond your personal stress levels.
When everything is labeled a priority, nothing truly is. Yet most municipalities operate with 8-12 “strategic priorities” spanning every department and service area—a contradiction in terms that virtually guarantees mediocre results across all initiatives.
As one city administrator recently told me with a laugh: “I have about twenty top priorities.” And therein lies the problem.
The word “priority” was singular for 500 years before we pluralized it in the 20th century. By definition, you can’t have multiple “highest priorities.”
In the MLDC this week, we’re exploring how municipal leaders can break free from this cycle of diluted focus and exhausted resources. We’ll be tackling questions like:
Through daily content, podcasts, and our interactive community discussions, we’ll apply McKeown’s essentialist principles to the unique challenges faced by city managers and administrators.
The MLDC isn’t just about content—it’s about connection with other public sector executives who understand exactly what you’re facing. Our members share their implementation challenges and successes, creating a support network that extends far beyond theoretical concepts.
Unlike generic leadership development, everything in the MLDC is tailored specifically to municipal leadership contexts. We understand the political pressures, community expectations, and unique responsibilities you navigate daily.
Ready to transform how you approach your role? Listen to the first podcast of our five-part Essentialism series below and start your free MLDC trial here to experience the full community of city managers and administrators from across the nation on our member website and app.
Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Join us to discover how focusing on what truly matters can create better results for your community and a more sustainable leadership approach for you.
Seth Winterhalter is the host of The HaltingWinter Podcast and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to building stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through keynote speaking, workshops, and executive coaching, Seth helps municipal leaders thrive personally and professionally. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.
