Words to Action: Building Shared Purpose in Tough Times

The downtown revitalization project seemed perfect on paper. But after months of heated public meetings, council debates, and departmental discussions, you’re stuck in what feels like an endless loop of talk with no clear path forward.

Sound familiar?

As a city manager, you know that good dialogue is just the beginning. The real challenge? Turning those crucial conversations into concrete action that moves your city forward.

Beyond Agreement: The Action Gap

In “Crucial Conversations,” Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler highlight a critical truth: the best dialogue in the world means nothing without clear action steps and genuine commitment.

For city managers, this resonates deeply. You’ve probably experienced:

• Enthusiastic council retreats that fade into business as usual
• Community meetings full of great ideas that never materialize
• Staff meetings where everyone nods but nothing changes
• Strategic plans that gather dust instead of momentum

The MOVE Framework: From Talk to Action

Let’s break down how to transform dialogue into results using the MOVE approach:

Mutual Purpose

Start with shared goals that everyone can see themselves in:

• “We all want our downtown to thrive”
• “We share a commitment to public safety”
• “We’re united in serving our residents effectively”

Options Exploration

Generate possibilities that honor everyone’s input:

• List all potential approaches
• Combine elements from different suggestions
• Create new alternatives together
• Keep the focus on “How might we?” instead of “We can’t”

Visible Commitment

Make explicit who will do what:

• Clear assignments
• Specific timelines
• Public commitments
• Documented next steps

Execution Planning

Detail the path forward:

• Immediate next actions
• Resource requirements
• Progress metrics
• Check-in points

Real-World Application

Here’s how one city manager applied these principles to break through a stalemate on a controversial project:

“We’d been debating a new development for months. Instead of another round of arguments, we gathered key stakeholders and:

1. Listed what everyone wanted for the community
2. Found overlapping goals
3. Created options that served multiple interests
4. Assigned specific tasks with deadlines
5. Set up regular progress reviews

Within weeks, we had movement on a project that had been stuck for months.”

Making It Work in Your City

When moving from talk to action:

Start Small

• Choose one project to apply these principles
• Focus on quick wins that build confidence
• Document what works and what doesn’t

Stay Focused

• Keep shared purpose visible
• Return to it when discussions drift
• Use it to evaluate options

Build Momentum

• Celebrate early progress
• Share success stories
• Use wins to tackle bigger challenges

Monitor and Adjust

• Regular check-ins
• Open feedback loops
• Course corrections as needed

Your Action Steps

1. Choose Your Target

• Which crucial conversation needs to move to action?
• What’s the shared purpose at stake?
• Who needs to be involved?

2. Plan Your Approach

• How will you frame the discussion?
• What options might serve multiple interests?
• How will you secure genuine commitment?

3. Set the Timeline

• What’s your first concrete step?
• When will you begin?
• How will you track progress?

Share your experiences or questions in the comments on my LinkedIn page – how do you move from talk to action in your city?

Transform Your Leadership in 2025

Moving crucial conversations to meaningful action requires both skill and consistent development. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), launching January 2025, provides daily insights and proven strategies through bite-sized content designed for busy city managers. Don’t let another opportunity for progress slip away.

Learn More About MLDC – Early enrollment is now open but early bonuses are limited. Save your seat!

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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.