The Power of ‘Less but Better’ in Leadership

Throughout this series, we’ve explored various aspects of Essentialism and how they apply to your role as a city manager. We’ve discussed the power of saying ‘no’, identifying your highest point of contribution, and removing obstacles to your essential work. Now, let’s dive into a core principle that ties all of these concepts together: the idea of “less but better.”

The Myth of ‘More’

In today’s fast-paced world, there’s often an assumption that more is always better. More projects, more initiatives, more meetings, more emails. As city managers, you might feel pressured to constantly do more, to be seen as proactive and responsive to every community need.

However, this approach often leads to:

• Spreading resources too thin
• Decreased quality of work
• Burnout for you and your team
• Lack of significant progress on key priorities

The ‘Less but Better’ Philosophy

The “less but better” approach flips this script. It’s about focusing your energy and resources on a few carefully chosen priorities and executing them exceptionally well. This doesn’t mean doing less work overall but instead, channeling your efforts more effectively.

Applying ‘Less but Better’ to City Management

Here’s how you can apply this principle in your role:

1. Prioritize Ruthlessly

• Use the Eisenhower Matrix to identify your most important and impactful tasks.
• Limit yourself to 2-3 major initiatives at a time.
• Be willing to say ‘no’ or ‘not now’ to good ideas that aren’t great.

2. Dive Deep

• Once you’ve identified your key priorities, invest deeply in them.
• Allocate more time and resources to these areas than you think you need.
• Aim for excellence, not just completion.

3. Simplify and Streamline

• Look for ways to simplify complex processes in your city’s operations.
• Eliminate redundant tasks or outdated procedures.
• Streamline decision-making processes to focus on what truly matters.

4. Empower Your Team

• Delegate effectively, allowing team members to take ownership of specific areas.
• Provide the resources and support needed for your team to excel in their focused roles.
• Encourage a culture of quality over quantity.

5. Measure What Matters

• Shift from measuring activity (like number of projects started) to measuring impact.
• Develop meaningful KPIs that reflect real progress toward your city’s most important goals.
• Regularly review and adjust based on these impactful metrics.

The Impact of ‘Less but Better’

When you embrace the “less but better” philosophy, you’re likely to see several positive outcomes:

1. Higher Quality Results: By focusing your energy on fewer areas, you will achieve outstanding results.
2. Increased Job Satisfaction: You and your team will feel a greater sense of accomplishment by doing fewer things well.
3. Clearer Communication: With fewer priorities, it’s easier to communicate a clear vision to your team and community.
4. More Sustainable Progress: By focusing on what truly matters, you create lasting change rather than short-term fixes.
5. Better Resource Allocation: Your city’s resources (time, money, people) are used more effectively on high-impact initiatives.

Real-World Example

Consider the city of Smallville (population 75,000). The city manager, Tom, was juggling dozens of initiatives, from minor infrastructure repairs to major economic development projects. Progress was slow across the board, and both Tom and his team were feeling overwhelmed.

Tom decided to apply the “less but better” principle. He narrowed the focus to three key priorities: downtown revitalization, improving the city’s digital services, and enhancing community green spaces. By channeling resources and attention to these areas, Smallville saw remarkable progress within a year:

• The downtown vacancy rate dropped by 22%
• Citizen satisfaction with city services increased by 18%
• The city added 15 acres of new park space

More importantly, Tom and his team felt energized and focused, and the community noticed the tangible improvements in these key areas.

Conclusion

Embracing “less but better” in city management isn’t about doing less work. It’s about being more intentional with your time and resources, focusing on what truly matters, and executing at a higher level. It requires courage to let go of the non-essential, but the rewards – for you, your team, and your community – are substantial.

As we conclude this series on Essentialism in city management, we encourage you to reflect on how you can apply these principles in your role. How can you do less, but better? What would change in your city if you focused intensely on a few key priorities?

Remember, effective leadership isn’t about trying to do everything. It’s about doing the right things exceptionally well.

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Seth Winterhalter is President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, dedicated to making stronger cities through stronger leaders. Through executive coaching, consulting, and the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), HaltingWinter helps city managers and municipal leaders transform their leadership impact and their organizational culture.