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!
Welcome to this week’s edition of “The Leader’s Lens!” In our journey to build stronger cities through stronger leaders, one truth stands out: the way we handle feedback shapes the cities we build. This week, we’ve explored “Thanks for the Feedback” by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen and discovered how mastering the art of feedback can transform your leadership impact and organizational culture.
Imagine leading your city with the ability to turn even the toughest criticism into fuel for growth, creating an environment where constructive conversations flourish, and building a feedback loop that drives continuous improvement. That’s the power of understanding that feedback isn’t just about receiving information – it’s about creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
In this insightful episode, we dive deep into why skillful feedback can make all the difference in municipal leadership. You’ll discover:
Journey with us to Jersey Village, Texas, where City Manager Austin Bleess proves that small-town values can drive big-city success. From his beginnings as an eight-year-old paperboy in Minnesota to securing over $30 million in grants for his community, Austin shares powerful insights about:
If you found value in these episodes, please leave a rating and review on Apple, Amazon, or Spotify to help other leaders discover these insights!
Each day this week, we’ve explored how mastering feedback can transform your effectiveness as a municipal leader. Catch up on these powerful insights:
1. From Criticism to Collaboration: How Savvy City Managers Turn Feedback into Fuel for Success
Discover why effective feedback is your most potent tool for driving positive change in your community.
2. Decoding the Feedback Puzzle: The Three Keys to Unlocking Collaborative Success in City Management
Learn how understanding the three types of feedback can transform your leadership approach.
3. Defusing the Feedback Bomb: How Savvy City Managers Navigate Emotional Triggers
Explore techniques for managing emotional triggers and turning challenging feedback into opportunities.
4. The Feedback Converter: Transforming Even the Toughest Criticism into Municipal Gold
Uncover strategies for becoming a skilled receiver of feedback and extracting value from every interaction.
5. From Insight to Action: Your Toolkit to Construct a Collaborative Feedback Loop
Get practical tools and templates for implementing effective feedback systems in your municipality.
“Feedback isn’t just about what’s said – it’s about what’s heard, understood, and transformed into action.”
This captures the essence of impactful municipal leadership – it’s not just about receiving feedback, but about creating a culture where feedback drives positive change…or as I say:
“Every piece of feedback, even criticism, is a building block for a stronger city.”
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Comment on the posts or share your experiences with feedback on my LinkedIn page.
As I reflect on my leadership journey, I wish I had learned these lessons on feedback much earlier in my career. There were times when youthful pride hindered my ability to listen and stalled my development because I didn’t know how to process feedback effectively. I can still remember specific conversations where defensive reactions cost me valuable insights and growth opportunities – moments I now recognize as missed chances to build stronger relationships and better solutions.
Mastering the art of feedback – both giving and receiving – is at the core of impactful communication. We often talk about being “great communicators” as leaders, but I’ve learned that excellence in communication starts with how we handle feedback. It’s not just about the words we speak, but how we receive, process, and act on the input we get from others. The most successful leaders I work with aren’t just skilled at delivering messages; they’re masters at creating environments where honest, constructive feedback flows freely.
Learn this well, and your impact will multiply – not just within the walls of city hall, but throughout your entire community. After all, the strongest cities aren’t built through one-way communication, but through the dynamic exchange of ideas, concerns, and aspirations between leaders and those they serve.
Are you finding yourself caught in the whirlwind of daily municipal operations, struggling to find time for your own leadership development? You’re not alone. We hear this challenge from city managers across the country – the constant tension between managing today’s crises and developing tomorrow’s capabilities.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching in January 2025. Imagine starting each day with concentrated wisdom from the most impactful leadership books, delivered in bite-sized, actionable formats that fit your busy schedule. But here’s what makes the MLDC truly transformative – you won’t be growing alone.
You’ll be part of an exclusive community of forward-thinking municipal leaders, all committed to building stronger cities through stronger leadership. Share challenges, celebrate wins, and learn from peers who truly understand your journey. Through weekly virtual meetups and dedicated discussion forums, you’ll build relationships that extend far beyond professional networking – you’ll find allies in the pursuit of municipal excellence.
As a valued subscriber to The Leader’s Lens, you have first access to secure your spot in this groundbreaking program. With highly limited spots for personalized executive coaching sessions and on-site workshops, this early access is your opportunity to lock in these premium benefits before they’re gone.
Take the first step:
Let’s build stronger cities by developing stronger leaders – together.
Next week, we’re diving into “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. In municipal leadership, some conversations can make or break your effectiveness – whether it’s addressing performance issues, navigating political tensions, or handling sensitive community matters. This groundbreaking book provides a roadmap for handling high-stakes discussions where opinions vary and emotions run strong.
You’ll discover:
Stay tuned for insights that will help you handle your toughest conversations with confidence and skill, transforming potential conflicts into opportunities for collaboration and growth!
P.S. What’s one feedback insight from this week that you plan to implement in your next conversation? Share your thoughts on my LinkedIn page!
Seth Winterhalter is the President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions and creator of the ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. Through the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), he helps municipal leaders transform from reactive to proactive leadership.
