Introducing: The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - Save 50% During Launch Phase

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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Picture this: You’re sitting in a council meeting, tension crackling through the air. Department heads advocating for critical funding on one side. Council members pushing back hard on budget constraints on the other. And there you are, in the middle, knowing your next words could either bridge the gap or widen it.

Sound familiar?

In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we’re diving into “Crucial Conversations” by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler, transforming their insights into practical strategies specifically for municipal leaders.

What You’ll Learn

This episode unpacks three thought-provoking insights that will transform how you handle your toughest conversations:

  1. Why starting with heart isn’t just about being nice – it’s about being strategic
  2. How to create safety without sacrificing accountability
  3. The proven STATE method for moving from dialogue to action

Practical Tools You Can Use Today

The episode includes specific strategies you can implement immediately, including:

  • A quick diagnostic for identifying crucial conversations
  • The STATE method for handling high-stakes moments
  • Action steps for your very next tough conversation

Why This Matters

As a city manager, you don’t get to choose whether to have crucial conversations – they’re built into your role. But you can choose how to handle them, and that choice makes all the difference between a thriving city organization and one stuck in endless conflict.

Transform Your Leadership in 2025

Looking for more insights like this? The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching January 2025, delivers essential leadership development in bite-sized formats designed for busy city managers. From daily reads and quick-hitting podcast episodes to peer community, the MLDC will help you lead with greater impact.

Learn More About the MLDC – Early enrollment is now open but early bonuses are limited. Save your seat!

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 leadership impact and their organizational culture.