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.
In the aftermath of a national crisis that thrust a small Missouri city into the global spotlight, one leader made the courageous decision to step into the fire—not away from it. The story of De’Carlon Seewood, current City Manager of Columbia, Missouri, and former leader of Ferguson during its most turbulent period, offers powerful lessons for municipal leaders everywhere.
Our latest episode of the HaltingWinter Podcast features this remarkable leader whose journey provides a masterclass in crisis management, community healing, and organizational renewal.
Few municipal leaders will ever face the intensity of scrutiny that descended upon Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. When De’Carlon Seewood returned to Ferguson as City Manager after the Michael Brown shooting, he encountered what he describes as “chaos”—protesters storming council meetings, neighbors pitted against neighbors, and a police department under federal investigation.
“You had a town where you have to find a new police chief. We had to find a lot of department directors because people fled. You still had protests. You’re negotiating a consent decree with the Department of Justice,” Seewood reflects.
His candid account of leading through this period—from watching residents physically confronting each other during council meetings to navigating the complexities of a federal consent decree—provides invaluable insights for any leader facing divisive community issues.
Today in Columbia, Seewood is applying lessons learned from his time in Ferguson to create proactive community engagement and employee investment strategies that are transforming the city’s culture.
When Seewood realized Columbia was losing critical employees—from police officers to CDL drivers—he orchestrated a bold $10 million investment in employee compensation. The results speak for themselves: police officer vacancies dropped from 50 to just 16.
“We had to make a significant investment in our employees,” Seewood explains. “You had some people who got everything from a thousand dollar raise to a $10,000 raise just because you’re trying to make sure that you’re treating people the way they need to be treated.”
What makes this episode particularly valuable for municipal leaders is Seewood’s innovative approach to rebuilding trust—both internally and externally.
His “Coffee with the City Manager” initiative breaks down barriers between leadership and staff by creating informal forums where employees can directly engage with him. “The city manager is a boogeyman. No one wants to talk to him,” Seewood observes. “It’s like, no, I’m a person just like everybody else.”
For residents, Columbia’s Citizen Academy program provides an eight-week deep dive into municipal operations, helping citizens understand exactly what their local government does and why. Paired with participatory budgeting exercises using “Columbia Bucks,” these innovations are rebuilding the civic trust that forms the foundation of thriving communities.
Whether you’re managing through crisis or seeking to strengthen your community during calmer times, this episode delivers practical strategies for:
De’Carlon’s journey from witnessing urban decay in East St. Louis to leading Ferguson through crisis to revitalizing Columbia demonstrates the profound impact municipal leaders can have—even against overwhelming odds.
This isn’t just another leadership interview. It’s a raw, honest account of municipal leadership during some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable. Seewood’s insights transcend municipal management to offer wisdom for any leader navigating difficult transitions, rebuilding fractured trust, or seeking to create a culture of excellence.
Listen to Episode 155 with De’Carlon Seewood now and discover how genuine public service leadership can transform communities, even after crisis.
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, VIP 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.
