Introducing: The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - Save 50% During Launch Phase
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
Hello, Impactful City Leaders!
The holiday lights are twinkling across our cities, and municipal teams everywhere are wrapping up their final projects of 2024. As I reflect on the conversations I’ve had with city leaders this week, one theme keeps emerging: the desire to truly rest and rejuvenate during the upcoming holiday break, not just “survive” it.
My deepest hope for each of you is that these next couple of weeks bring not just rest, but moments of pure joy surrounded by family and friends. You spend all year caring for and serving your communities – I hope you’ll now allow others to serve and care for you.
And speaking of gifts, the HaltingWinter team has something special to share. Throughout 2024, I’ve had the privilege of coaching and connecting with city managers across the country. While each leader faces unique challenges, one theme has emerged consistently in almost every conversation: the struggle to have challenging conversations.
Whether it’s addressing performance issues, navigating council relationships, or building stronger teams, many municipal leaders find themselves caught between knowing what needs to be said and finding the right way to say it. This challenge isn’t just about communication – it’s about leadership impact.
As my Christmas gift to the municipal leadership community, I’ve created a comprehensive guide: “The Courage to Lead: A City Manager’s Guide to Essential Conversations.” This guide distills insights from hundreds of coaching sessions and leadership discussions into a practical framework specifically designed for municipal leaders.
You can download this FREE GUIDE HERE.
ONE-DAY EXTENSION: FINAL MLDC PRE-LAUNCH OPPORTUNITY!
Big news! We’ve extended our pre-launch window for one final day. Today (Saturday, December 21st) is absolutely your last chance to lock in both pre-launch pricing and exclusive bonuses for the 2025 Municipal Leadership Development Circle.
Beyond the announced benefits (executive coaching sessions and in-person VIP days), we’re including a special surprise bonus for pre-launch members that will make your initial investment seem minimal compared to the impact you’ll see in your first 90 days. This unannounced bonus alone will transform how you approach municipal leadership in 2025.
Don’t wait – secure your spot now by CLICKING HERE to lock in pre-launch pricing and position.
NEW ON THE PODCAST
Episode 126: “Why Work-Life Balance Is Misleading Leaders”
This week, we explored Matthew Kelly’s groundbreaking book “Off Balance” and its crucial implications for municipal leadership.
You’ll discover:
Episode 127: “Why Performance Reviews Are Crippling Municipal Culture”
Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Sam Anselm, City Administrator of West Plains, Missouri, as he shares why traditional performance reviews are failing cities and what to do instead.
You’ll discover:
THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG: Off Balance
As we approach the holiday season, we’ve explored Matthew Kelly’s applicable approach to work-life satisfaction and its crucial implications for municipal leaders in his insightful book, “Off Balance.”
Monday: The Municipal Balance Myth
Why trying to balance the demands of work and life is a recipe for failure for city leaders
Tuesday: Beyond the 24/7 Tightrope
Redefining what success looks like for sustainable leadership that leaves a worthwhile legacy
Wednesday: Energy Management: The City Manager’s Secret Weapon
Master the four types of energy that drive leadership impact and success
Thursday: The Satisfaction Solution
Moving beyond the tightrope balancing game to a life of meaningful impact
Friday: From Insight to Impact
Practical implementation strategies for municipal leaders to move from balance to satisfaction
Highlight of the Week
“If you stop performance reviews, even if you don’t have a plan to replace them, your organization will improve by probably 20-30% immediately.” – Sam Anselm, City Administrator of West Plains, Missouri
A Personal Note
As many of you prepare for holiday time off, I’m reminded of Matthew Kelly’s central message in his book, “Off Balance”: it’s not about finding perfect balance, but about creating genuine satisfaction. This holiday season presents a perfect opportunity to put these insights into practice. Ask yourself, “How can I intentionally spend this time to truly rest, rejuvenate, and return to work satisfied?”
The goal isn’t to simply survive your vacation or to check boxes on a holiday to-do list. It’s about being present, intentional, and focused on what brings real satisfaction. We don’t want you returning to work feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. This is your chance to practice what we’ve explored this week – moving beyond the balance myth to create genuine restoration and renewal.
ACCELERATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IMPACT IN 2025
Looking ahead to 2025? HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions offers comprehensive services to transform your municipal leadership:
Visit haltingwinter.com to learn more and secure your dates before the 2025 calendar fills up!
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week, we’re diving into Stephen Covey’s transformative “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” We’ll explore how these timeless principles apply specifically to municipal leadership and creating lasting organizational change.
Stay tuned for insights that will help you lead with both effectiveness and intention!
P.S. How are you planning to make your holiday break truly satisfying? Share your thoughts on my LinkedIn page!
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.
