The Satisfaction Solution: Measuring What Matters in Municipal Leadership

Recently, an executive leader shared something striking with me: “I did everything right today – attended all the meetings, handled two crises, even made it home for dinner. So why do I feel like I’m failing?”

This conversation perfectly illustrates what Matthew Kelly identifies in “Off Balance” as the fundamental flaw in our thinking about success. We’re measuring the wrong things. For city managers, this insight is particularly powerful because you’re already measured by countless metrics:

• Council satisfaction ratings
• Budget performance
• Project timelines
• Community feedback
• Department efficiency

But here’s the question Kelly prompts us to ask: Are we measuring what truly matters?

The Satisfaction Deficit

In my own journey from professional conductor to lead pastor to executive coach, I’ve discovered what Kelly articulates so well – satisfaction isn’t about checking boxes or maintaining balance. It’s about alignment between our actions and our deepest values.

For city managers, this misalignment often looks like:

• Perfect attendance at council meetings but disconnection from your sense of purpose
• Excellent crisis management but erosion of personal relationships
• Strong performance reviews but diminishing personal fulfillment
• Balanced calendars but empty spirits

Kelly’s Satisfaction Framework, Applied to Municipal Leadership

Let’s adapt Kelly’s insights specifically for city managers:

1. Define Your Satisfaction Metrics: Traditional Metrics vs. Satisfaction Metrics

• Budget numbers → Community impact stories
• Past performance metrics → Future vision alignment
• Time allocation → Energy investment
• Crisis response speed → Crisis prevention effectiveness
• Staff turnover rates → Team development impact

2. Identify Your Satisfaction Triggers: What actually brings you deep satisfaction in your role?

• Mentoring future leaders
• Solving complex community challenges
• Implementing innovative solutions
• Building collaborative partnerships
• Creating lasting positive change

3. Map Your Satisfaction Gaps: Where are you investing time without receiving satisfaction?

• Unnecessary meetings
• Redundant reporting
• Low-impact activities
• Misaligned responsibilities

The Municipal Satisfaction Matrix

Based on Kelly’s work and my experience with city managers, I’ve developed what I call the Municipal Satisfaction Matrix:

Purpose

• Are your daily activities aligned with your leadership vision?
• Does your work connect with your personal values?
• Can you see the long-term impact of your efforts?

Progress

• Are you growing as a leader?
• Is your team developing?
• Is your city advancing toward its goals?

Process

• Do your systems support sustainable leadership?
• Are your boundaries serving you and others?
• Is your energy being invested wisely?

People

• Are your key relationships thriving?
• Is your team energized?
• Are you making a meaningful difference in others’ lives?

Implementing the Satisfaction Solution

1. Weekly Satisfaction Audit

• Review your calendar through the lens of satisfaction
• Identify energy-generating vs. energy-draining activities
• Assess alignment with your core values and vision

2. Monthly Satisfaction Mapping

• Track progress on meaningful metrics
• Evaluate relationship health
• Measure personal and professional growth

3. Quarterly Satisfaction Reset

• Realign activities with satisfaction drivers
• Adjust systems and boundaries
• Refocus on high-impact initiatives

Remember: The goal isn’t to achieve perfect satisfaction in every area every day. It’s to ensure that your overall direction leads to increasing satisfaction over time.

---

Master Satisfaction-Based Leadership in 2025

Ready to revolutionize how you measure and achieve success in municipal leadership? The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching on January 6, 2025, offers city managers a comprehensive framework for satisfaction-based leadership. Join a community of municipal leaders learning to measure what truly matters and lead with greater fulfillment. You’ll gain access to proven tools for maximizing satisfaction, along with expert guidance on aligning your leadership with your deepest values.

Pre-launch pricing and bonuses end on Friday, December 20th, SO DON’T DELAY!!!

Learn More & Secure Your Spot

---

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 approach to measuring success and achieving genuine satisfaction.