Why Managing City Crises Isn’t Enough: The Science of Stress Completion

Picture this: You’ve just finished a contentious council meeting. The controversial development project was approved. The immediate crisis is “handled.” Yet hours later, you’re lying awake, your mind racing, your body tense – despite the fact that the situation is technically resolved.

Sound familiar?

As municipal leaders, you’re experts at managing crises. But there’s a crucial distinction that the Nagoski sisters’ research on burnout reveals: Managing the stressor (the council meeting, the development project, the public controversy) is not the same as managing the stress itself. This insight has profound implications for how we approach leadership sustainability in municipal government.

The Biology of Unfinished Stress

When our ancestors encountered a threat, their stress response kicked in, and they either fought, fled, or froze. Then – crucially – when the threat passed, their bodies completed the stress cycle through physical action. Today, we face different threats (angry residents, budget shortfalls, political tensions), but our bodies react the same way.

The problem? We’ve gotten very good at managing modern stressors intellectually while ignoring our body’s need to complete the stress cycle. For city managers, this creates a unique challenge:

• You resolve situations professionally but remain activated physiologically
• You stack incomplete stress cycles day after day
• You mistake emotional management for physical stress completion

The Municipal Leadership Paradox

Your position requires you to remain calm and composed in the face of stress. This professional necessity often conflicts with your biological need to complete the stress cycle. The result? A leadership paradox where your greatest professional strength (emotional regulation) can become your greatest personal vulnerability.

Practical Strategies for Stress Cycle Completion

Here are evidence-based ways to complete the stress cycle, tailored for the unique constraints of municipal leadership:

1. Physical Movement

• Schedule “walking meetings” for less formal discussions
• Use the stairs between council chambers and your office
• Keep resistance bands in your office for quick stress-relief sessions

2. Creative Expression

• Keep a private “leadership journal” for unfiltered processing
• Use mind mapping for project planning (serves both creative and practical purposes)
• Take the “scenic route” to document city issues, incorporating photography or video

3. Social Connection

• Build genuine connections with peer city managers
• Create structured check-ins with trusted team members
• Maintain relationships outside the municipal sphere

4. Breathing Techniques

• Practice “box breathing” between meetings
• Use the drive between sites for conscious breathing exercises
• Start meetings with a collective moment of centering

Implementation in Municipal Leadership

The key is to integrate these practices into your existing routine rather than adding more to your plate. For example:

• Use the time between council meetings for brief movement breaks
• Transform your project planning into a creative exercise
• Build genuine social connections through professional networking

Moving Forward: From Insight to Action

Understanding the stress cycle is just the beginning. The real challenge – and opportunity – lies in creating systems and cultures that support stress cycle completion at both personal and organizational levels.

Your Action Steps:

1. Identify your most common incomplete stress cycles
2. Choose one physical strategy to implement this week
3. Schedule specific times for stress cycle completion

Reflection Question:

How might your leadership effectiveness improve if you consistently completed your stress cycles?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments on my LinkedIn page.

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Transform Your Leadership Journey in 2025

The path to stronger cities begins with stronger, more sustainable leadership. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching January 2025, offers a comprehensive approach to personal and professional growth designed specifically for city managers.

Through daily insights, peer community, and expert guidance, you’ll develop:

• Science-based strategies for sustainable leadership
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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.