Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
In episode 166 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, host Seth Winterhalter sits down with David Cline, whose extraordinary career in municipal leadership includes surprising encounters with undercover operations and transforming some of Washington state’s most challenged neighborhoods.
When was the last time you heard someone describe their visit to City Hall as “delightful”?
For most municipal leaders, this question might draw a wry smile. Local government has many well-earned accolades—efficiency, fairness, and stability among them—but “exceptional hospitality” rarely makes the list. Instead, citizens often approach government interactions with a sense of resignation, expecting bureaucratic hurdles rather than helpful guidance.
But what if it could be different? What if your municipality became known not as an obstacle to navigate but as an unexpected ally in helping citizens achieve their goals?
In an era where cities face increasingly complex challenges with limited resources, finding innovative solutions has never been more critical. Yet, many municipalities struggle with bureaucratic inertia and siloed departments that stifle creativity. Jimmy Liles, City Administrator of Nixa, Missouri, has developed a refreshingly effective approach that’s earning national attention.
In the northernmost reaches of Maine, a small border town of just 2,000 people is experiencing a renaissance that defies the typical narrative of rural decline. At the helm of this transformation is Luke Dyer, Town Manager of Van Buren, whose journey from police sergeant to municipal leader offers valuable lessons for communities of all sizes.
You’ve been there. You’re running a tight ship. Services are efficient. Budgets are balanced. Citizens’ basic needs are met.
Yet something keeps you up at night – the nagging feeling that the ground is shifting beneath your feet. Residents’ expectations are changing faster than your systems can adapt. Private sector innovations are reshaping what people expect from all services, including government.
What does it take to lead your hometown through multiple disasters while simultaneously transforming it into a destination with unique attractions and robust economic development? Our latest podcast episode explores this question with Brent Buerck, City Administrator of Perryville, Missouri, who has done exactly that.
What does it take to lead a city with deep ties to American nuclear history? How can municipal leaders build thriving organizational cultures while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? Our latest podcast episode dives into these questions and more with Jon Amundson, City Manager of Richland, Washington.
This week in the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), we’re diving into Greg McKeown’s groundbreaking book, “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.” Like every book we explore together in our community, we’re examining its powerful principles specifically through the lens of public sector leadership. And for city managers drowning in competing demands, this week’s exploration couldn’t be more timely—because in a profession where everyone expects you to do everything, learning to focus on what truly matters might be the most revolutionary leadership skill you’ll ever develop.
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.
Municipal leadership rarely follows a linear path, but John Mauro’s journey stands out as particularly remarkable. As City Manager of Port Townsend, Washington, John brings a wealth of global experience that has shaped his innovative approach to local governance.
In Episode 157 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with John to explore his fascinating journey from the shores of Maine to four continents and eventually to the Victorian seaport town he now calls home.
