Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better

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Episode 280 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What changes when you’ve led through war zones, natural disasters, political upheaval, and then step into city management?

For Troy Body, City Administrator of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, leadership didn’t come through a straight line. His journey spans Appalachia, national media, state government, post-Katrina New Orleans, South Sudan, and multiple regions of Africa, all before ultimately landing in local government.

In this conversation, Troy shares how global experience reshaped his understanding of pressure, responsibility, and perspective, and why those lessons matter deeply in city management today.

This episode is a powerful reminder that there is no single path into local government leadership, and that perspective—earned through hardship, service, and lived experience—changes how leaders show up when the work is heavy and the criticism is loud.

In this episode, we explore:

  • Why local government leadership requires a different kind of endurance
  • How global crisis experience reshapes decision-making under pressure
  • The unseen work of public works and code enforcement and why they matter more than most people realize
  • Why “nobody died” can be a grounding leadership mantra
  • How leaders can maintain clarity, resilience, and perspective when the work never turns off
  • Why city management demands both daily delivery and long-term vision
  • What municipal leaders can learn from rebuilding communities after disaster

Troy’s story affirms a truth many leaders need to hear:
Perspective doesn’t remove pressure, but it changes how you carry it.

If you’ve ever questioned your path into leadership or wondered how to sustain yourself in a demanding role, this conversation will resonate.

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The HaltingWinter Podcast features real conversations with city managers, administrators, and municipal leaders about the weight they carry and the impact they make.

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Tyler Technologies

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 civic services to public safety, Tyler helps local governments build stronger, more resilient communities. 
Learn more at tylertech.com/winter →

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

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 organization.

Members receive weekly leadership content, access to our daily podcast, monthly virtual trainings, and a clear roadmap for building a culture that reduces burnout, strengthens retention, and drives meaningful impact in every department.
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.