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What happens when the daughter of a county manager declares she wants nothing to do with local government, only to find herself serving as an interim city manager years later? This unexpected journey forms the heart of our conversation with Kristen Dorman, Assistant City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri, in Episode 158 of The HaltingWinter Podcast.
“I had no idea what she did. I didn’t think that what she did sounded cool,” Kristen shares about her mother’s career as a county manager. “I always used to make fun of her for the pantsuits and said whatever career that is, I don’t want it.”
Yet after pursuing a business degree and facing the prospect of sales jobs that didn’t align with her passions, Kristen reluctantly considered her mother’s suggestion to explore a master’s program in public administration. That decision changed everything.
Throughout our conversation, Kristen highlights how exceptional mentors shaped her rapid professional development. From her time in the Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University to working under Zach Walker in Independence, Missouri, she benefited from leaders who provided meaningful opportunities rather than just administrative tasks.
“When I was comparing what I was doing with my friends in other communities doing similar fellowships, the things I was getting to do were vastly different,” Kristen explains. “He included me in everything. He gave me projects that really set me up to be ready.”
Perhaps the most surprising part of Kristen’s story is her decision to temporarily leave municipal government at a point when burnout and workplace challenges were affecting her well-being. This two-year detour working for the Alliance for Innovation gave her crucial perspective:
“I think I realized pretty quickly that no, I am meant for local government… As much as I loved learning about what all of the cities were doing, I missed being the one getting to actually do it.”
When Kristen returned to municipal government as Assistant City Manager in Warrensburg, she couldn’t have anticipated what would happen next. On her first day, she learned that her new boss was departing in just six weeks—and Kristen would be serving as interim city manager.
Despite the sudden transition and having just returned from her break from local government, Kristen succeeded by embracing transparency about what she didn’t know and relying on her department directors. Most impressively, she maintained the work-life boundaries she had committed to establishing:
“I was so nervous…I’m going to have boundaries and I’m going to stick to them. And that’s a lot easier when you’re the assistant city manager. How am I going to do that when I’m the city manager? And I’m really proud of myself. I did it. I did not work 60-hour weeks. I was here when I needed to be here for my family and it all worked out.”
Throughout our conversation, Kristen makes a compelling case for reevaluating how we approach work in municipal leadership:
“I think we’re going to see a crisis soon in that young people don’t want these jobs. Because I think they see the burnout and I think they see city managers that are unhappy and overwhelmed and overworked.”
She argues that quality hours are more valuable than quantity: “If I can put in 40 hours where I’m at the top of my game and making the most impact and doing the most good, isn’t that better than 60 mediocre hours where I’m tired and grumpy and wishing I was somewhere else?”
Whether you’re a current municipal leader, aspiring to enter the field, or simply interested in how organizations can create healthier cultures, this conversation offers valuable insights into balancing professional impact with personal well-being.
Listen to Episode 158 with Kristen Dorman now or find The HaltingWinter Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
About The HaltingWinter Podcast
The HaltingWinter Podcast features conversations with municipal leaders who are transforming their communities through innovative approaches to governance, leadership, and organizational culture. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, each episode delivers practical wisdom for building stronger cities through stronger leaders.
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