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.
Episode 332 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
Most people don’t step into city management feeling ready. They step in because the opportunity is there, because someone believes in them, or because they’ve said yes enough times that the next door opens.
And then reality hits.
That’s the story Kathy Hodgson shares in this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast.
She didn’t start with a master plan to lead one of Colorado’s largest cities. She started as a teenage lifeguard. Said yes to opportunities she wasn’t qualified for. Built her career one role at a time. And eventually found herself sitting in the city manager’s seat—overwhelmed, unsure, and wondering if she was in over her head.
She’ll tell you directly: she didn’t know what she was doing.
And yet… she stayed.
She learned.
She asked questions.
She surrounded herself with people who were smarter than her in their areas.
And slowly, she grew into the role.
That’s the part we don’t talk about enough in local government.
We promote people for their skill. Then expect them to lead like they’ve been trained for it. But leadership isn’t something you arrive at—it’s something you grow into.
Kathy’s story also highlights something deeper. The job itself has changed.
What used to be parks, programs, and community events has become something far heavier—homelessness, mental health, addiction, and rising incivility. Local government leaders are now on the front lines of some of the most complex human challenges in our communities.
And they’re expected to navigate it all…publicly.
Under pressure. With limited resources. And with voices on every side telling them they’re wrong.
So what keeps someone in the role for decades?
For Kathy, it comes back to people. Treating employees with fairness. Leading with forgiveness. Creating a culture where people feel safe to learn and grow.
And maybe most simply, slowing down long enough to actually listen when someone answers the question, “How are you?”
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping people feel seen, respected, and valued…especially when the work is hard.
If you’re in a leadership role and feeling the weight of it or stepping into something you don’t feel fully ready for, this conversation will remind you: You’re not behind. You’re just in the middle of becoming the leader the role requires.
Listen to Episode 332: When You’re Not Ready, But You Lead Anyway
This episode is sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the leader in empowering the public sector with software solutions that connect data, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. From AI to budgeting solutions, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities.
Learn more at tylertech.com/winter →
The MLDC is where local government leaders go to grow, together. It’s the fastest-growing leadership development community designed specifically for the public sector, now paired with a comprehensive 9-month Leadership & Culture Program for those ready to elevate their leadership and their organization.
Learn more at haltingwinter.com/mldc →
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
