Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 343 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
Most leaders hope they never have to face a true crisis. Scottie Harris has spent his entire career preparing for one.
In Episode 343 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, I sat down with Scottie Harris, the Town Manager of Weaverville, North Carolina, whose leadership journey has taken him from the fire service and military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to the front lines of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Western North Carolina.
But this conversation isn’t really about disasters. It’s about what happens long before they arrive.
Scottie shares powerful lessons on building trust, developing people, leading through uncertainty, and staying connected to the employees and communities we serve. Whether discussing emergency response, organizational culture, or municipal leadership, one theme emerges again and again: great leadership is built before it’s tested.
For local government leaders, the challenges may look different than a hurricane. It may be a budget shortfall, political conflict, staffing shortages, or a difficult organizational change. Yet the leadership principles remain the same.
If you’ve ever wondered how leaders remain steady when everything around them feels uncertain, this episode is for you.
Listen to Episode 343: Scottie Harris – Calm in the Chaos
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.
