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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.
In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Monte shares how his journey from the broadcast booth to city hall equipped him with invaluable skills for municipal leadership. His story reveals how seemingly unrelated experiences – like crafting compelling sports narratives or building relationships with local business owners – can translate into more effective city management.
What makes Monte’s perspective particularly valuable is his deep understanding of both the past and future of his community. As Howe stands on the cusp of explosive growth, potentially expanding from 3,700 to 10,000 residents in the coming years, Monte’s leadership approach balances preserving small-town character with embracing necessary change.
Some key insights from our conversation include:
Whether you’re a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, Monte’s journey offers fresh perspectives on building stronger cities through authentic leadership. His story reminds us that effective city management isn’t just about technical expertise – it’s about understanding your community’s DNA while having the vision to guide it toward a thriving future.
Listen to the full episode to hear Monte’s insights on navigating cultural change, managing growth, and maintaining personal balance in the demanding role of city administrator. As cities across America face similar challenges of growth and transformation, Monte’s experience offers valuable lessons for leaders at every level of local government.
Subscribe to The HaltingWinter Podcast on your favorite platform and join us as we continue exploring how to build stronger cities through stronger leaders.
Ready to take your municipal leadership journey to the next level of impact while having the support of a community of city leaders? Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) and receive 20% off your annual subscription by using the code “PODCAST” at checkout during January.
Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, results-based consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.
