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Matt Mueller: We Had to Reinvent Our City Every Four Years Leading Through Explosive Growth from 25,000 to 70,000 Residents Episode 401 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies What happens when your community grows so quickly that the organization you built just a few years ago can no longer meet its needs? When Matt Mueller became Town Manager of Little Elm, Texas, in 2012, the community had approximately 25,000 residents. Today, it's approaching 70,000. But managing that kind of explosive growth requires far more than building roads, hiring employees, and expanding services. It requires continually reinventing how an entire municipal organization operates. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Matt joins Seth Winterhalter to explore what it takes to lead through extraordinary change. He shares why Little Elm has essentially had to reinvent itself every three to four years, how the demands of growth force leaders to evolve, and why developing the people already inside your organization is just as important as bringing in new talent. The conversation also explores one of the most challenging transitions in leadership: moving from being the person who gets things done to becoming the person who equips others to succeed. Matt shares why even your highest-performing employees need intentional development before stepping into leadership roles. Finally, Matt reflects on the mentors who shaped his career and the remarkable ripple effect of investing in the next generation of municipal leaders. From a young lifeguard discovering local government to a town manager helping shape future executives, his story demonstrates how a single opportunity can influence communities for generations. ICMA Conference Spotlight: Matt was a presenter at the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach for a session titled, Legacy in Motion: Mentoring Through the Ages. Alongside three generations of mentors and mentees, the session explored how leadership lessons, professional relationships, and a commitment to service are passed from one generation to the next. Conference attendees can revisit the session recording for a deeper look at the power of mentorship in local government. About Matt Mueller Matt Mueller has served as Town Manager of Little Elm, Texas, since 2012, helping guide the community through a period of extraordinary population growth and organizational transformation. Originally from a small town in Oklahoma, Matt discovered his passion for local government through early municipal employment, internships, and influential mentors. His career has included service with the cities of Edmond, Claremore, and Guthrie, Oklahoma, before moving to Little Elm. With a leadership philosophy grounded in public service, continuous improvement, and developing others, Matt is passionate about strengthening the municipal management profession and preparing the next generation of local government leaders. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open now at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Steve Mokrohisky: Culture Doesn't Care What You Say Why Behaviors Matter More Than Values Episode 400 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies Every organization has a culture. But it's not defined by the values printed on the wall, the mission statement on the website, or the words leaders use to describe it. Culture is shaped by the behaviors people demonstrate, reinforce, and tolerate every day. Steve Mokrohisky, County Administrator of Lane County, Oregon, joins Seth Winterhalter to share how he's helped transform a complex public organization of nearly 2,000 employees by moving beyond aspirational values and making organizational culture something employees actually practice. Drawing from more than 25 years in local government, Steve explores why strategic planning is essential to escaping reactive leadership, how curiosity and humility make executives more effective, and why building an organization that can thrive without you may be the ultimate measure of leadership success. The conversation also tackles one of the most difficult realities facing city and county managers: navigating disruptive governing body members while maintaining professionalism, organizational stability, and personal integrity. From employee wellness and organizational trust to leadership succession and work-life alignment, this episode challenges public sector leaders to consider a fundamental question: Does your organization's everyday behavior reflect the culture you say you're building? Heading to ICMA Long Beach? Navigating difficult relationships with elected officials is one of the most challenging aspects of professional local government management. In his ICMA Annual Conference education session, "How to Deal with Disruptive Governing Body Members," Steve explores how city and county managers can respond to disruptive governing body behavior, establish healthy governance expectations, and maintain effective leadership when political dynamics threaten organizational stability. About Steve Mokrohisky Steve Mokrohisky has served as County Administrator of Lane County, Oregon, since 2014, overseeing a regional government serving approximately 400,000 residents across 5,000 square miles. With more than 25 years in local government, including leadership roles in Wisconsin and Nevada, he has focused on organizational transformation, strategic alignment, and employee well-being. Under his leadership, Lane County has been recognized as Oregon's healthiest large employer for five consecutive years. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open now at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week: Give and Take Episode 399 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week in the MLDC, Seth Winterhalter breaks down Adam Grant's Give and Take, the research-backed case that how you handle reciprocity at work predicts success more than talent or effort alone. Grant's research reveals a surprising pattern: givers show up disproportionately among both the lowest and highest performers in any organization, while takers and matchers cluster safely in the middle. The difference isn't how much you give; it's whether you give with any judgment about your own limits. For local government leaders especially, this is something to be mindful of. Public service attracts givers by nature, which is a real strength, but also a real burnout risk. Seth unpacks why the leaders who last aren't the ones who give the most in any single crisis or budget cycle, and why one taker on your team can do two to three times more damage than a giver can offset. The MLDC Leadership in local government doesn't get easier as you move up. The decisions get harder. The expectations get higher. And the number of people you can openly process those challenges with gets smaller. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) gives local government leaders a place to keep growing alongside other professionals who understand the complexity of leading in local government. Inside the MLDC, you'll sharpen how you think, strengthen how you lead, and turn leadership ideas into practical action through: • Monthly Mastermind Sessions with municipal leaders from across North America • Leadership Development built specifically around the realities of local government • Practical Tools & Resources you can immediately apply with your team and organization • Ongoing Learning designed to keep you growing throughout the year You spend every day developing your organization, your employees, and your community. The MLDC is an investment in developing you. → Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Michael Kovacs: Growth Isn't Free The Infrastructure Bill Your City Is Quietly Building Episode 398 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies Growth can look like success. New homes. New businesses. New roads. A growing tax base. But every piece of infrastructure a city builds today creates an obligation someone will have to pay for tomorrow. In this episode, Seth sits down with Michael Kovacs, City Manager of Fate, Texas, to talk about what it means to build a city that can actually afford its future. Michael shares lessons from a career that has taken him from a small, financially distressed border community to resort towns, coastal communities, disaster recovery in Galveston, and now one of the fastest-growing areas of North Texas. Along the way, he has developed a very different way of thinking about growth, development, infrastructure, and the long-term financial health of a city. Michael also shares hard-earned lessons from disaster recovery, including why local governments must be prepared to take ownership of the long road back after the immediate response is over. At the center of the conversation is a bigger question for every local government leader: Are we building communities that future generations can actually afford to maintain? Heading to ICMA in Long Beach? Michael will be part of the ICMA education session "Maintaining, Replacing, and Funding Roads: How Much Is Enough?" The session will explore the true long-term cost of maintaining and replacing municipal streets and how communities can begin preparing today for infrastructure expenses that may still be decades away. About Michael Kovacs Michael Kovacs is the City Manager of Fate, Texas, where he has served for more than a decade during a period of extraordinary community growth. His experience spans small-town administration, tourism and resort communities, rapid growth, emergency management, disaster recovery, infrastructure, development, and long-term municipal financial planning. Today, Michael is helping Fate think beyond the traditional suburban growth model by focusing on development patterns, infrastructure costs, fiscal sustainability, and what it will take to build a community where people can live for every stage of their lives. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open now at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Deborah Stuart: Are You Developing Leaders or Just Promoting Employees? Rethinking the Leadership Pipeline in Local Government Episode 397 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies What if the biggest challenge in your leadership pipeline isn't finding better people but preparing the people you already have? In Episode 397 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Deborah Stuart, City Manager of Mason, Michigan, to explore what it takes to intentionally develop the next generation of municipal leaders. Deborah shares how "stay" interviews helped her uncover what employees actually wanted from their careers and where the organization was unintentionally setting talented people up for failure. Being technically excellent at a job doesn't automatically prepare someone to manage people, navigate conflict, oversee budgets, or lead a team. That realization led Mason to rethink its approach to employee development, creating clearer pathways for advancement and giving employees opportunities to build leadership skills before the next position opens. Seth and Deborah also discuss why people sometimes need someone else to help them see what's possible, the importance of mentorship in city management, and why economic development is ultimately about relationships, not simply incentives, projects, and data. Deb's commitment to developing and supporting others has also earned her the Christine Burns Award from Michigan Municipal Executives two years in a row, recognizing her work to support and advance women in the municipal management profession. About Deborah Stuart Deborah Stuart serves as City Manager for the City of Mason, Michigan, a role she has held since 2016. Her career includes extensive experience in downtown and economic development at both the local and state levels before moving into city management. She is passionate about developing people from within, creating visible pathways for employee growth, and helping emerging leaders recognize opportunities they may not yet see for themselves. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open now: https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week: The Motive Episode 396 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week in the MLDC, Seth Winterhalter explores The Motive by Patrick Lencioni, a leadership fable built around two rival CEOs, one struggling and one quietly thriving, and the uncomfortable conversation that reveals why. Lencioni draws a sharp distinction between leaders who take the top job as a reward for hard work, and leaders who take it as a responsibility to do the difficult, unglamorous work their organization actually needs. Seth breaks down why this question hits differently for local government leaders than it does in the private sector, as many city managers, county administrators, and department heads didn't arrive in leadership through pure ambition, but through tenure, reliability, or simply being next in line. That path makes it easy to never stop and ask which motive is actually driving you. Inside MLDC this week, members are working through five specific takeaways from the book and applying them to their local government context. The MLDC Leadership in local government doesn't get easier as you move up. The decisions get harder. The expectations get higher. And the number of people you can openly process those challenges with gets smaller. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) gives local government leaders a place to keep growing alongside other professionals who understand the complexity of leading in local government. Inside the MLDC, you'll sharpen how you think, strengthen how you lead, and turn leadership ideas into practical action through: • Monthly Mastermind Sessions with municipal leaders from across North America • Leadership Development built specifically around the realities of local government • Practical Tools & Resources you can immediately apply with your team and organization • Ongoing Learning designed to keep you growing throughout the year You spend every day developing your organization, your employees, and your community. The MLDC is an investment in developing you. → Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Jennifer Miller: "No" Is the Lazy Answer Breaking Silos and Building a Culture That Solves Problems Episode 396 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies "No" is often the easiest answer in government. It gets the issue off your desk, protects the process, and keeps things moving. But as Jennifer Miller, Deputy County Executive for Fairfax County, Virginia, puts it: "No is the lazy answer." Great leadership requires something harder: helping people understand what is possible, breaking through organizational silos, and creating a culture where people are empowered to solve problems. In this episode, Jennifer joins Seth to explore what she learned through more than two decades of military and federal service and how those lessons translate into local government leadership. They discuss why residents don't care whose department owns the problem, how cross-functional teams can become powerful "silo busters," why leaders must protect employees who take creative risks, and the responsibility professional staff have to enable informed decision-making. It's a conversation about moving beyond bureaucracy as an excuse and building organizations designed to collaborate, innovate, and get things done. About Jennifer Miller Jennifer Miller is the Deputy County Executive for Fairfax County, Virginia, where she helps lead one of the largest local governments in the country. Before joining Fairfax County, Jennifer spent more than two decades serving in senior civilian leadership roles with the Department of the Air Force while also serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. Her career has spanned law, real estate, infrastructure, environmental policy, military service, and executive leadership, giving her a unique perspective on leading complex, mission-driven organizations. Jennifer will also be presenting the education session "Mission Driven Leadership: Veterans Building Trust and Integrity in Local Government" on Sunday, October 18th. The session will explore how military experience translates into local government leadership, how communities can better recognize the skills veterans bring, and how veterans can translate their experience for careers in cities and counties. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open through October 31st at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Melissa Marsh: Being Capable Doesn't Mean Carrying It All How to Step Up, Speak Up, and Protect Your Capacity Episode 394 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies The people who rise in local government are often the ones willing to step up, take on more, and solve problems no one asked them to solve. But what happens when everyone gets so used to you carrying more that they stop noticing how much you're carrying? Melissa Marsh, City Manager of Madison Heights, Michigan, shares how her willingness to raise her hand opened doors throughout her career and why she eventually had to learn to advocate for her own value and protect her capacity. Melissa and Seth also talk about why high performers can become invisible, making decisions without getting trapped in bureaucracy, taking ownership of your professional development, and setting boundaries at the city manager level. Melissa also shares the story behind Madison Heights' Business Bus Tour and how getting city leaders out of City Hall and into local businesses helped build stronger relationships and trust throughout the community. About Melissa Marsh Melissa Marsh is the City Manager of Madison Heights, Michigan. Beginning her local government career in finance, Melissa steadily expanded her leadership responsibilities across human resources, information technology, library services, and administration before becoming City Manager. Her career reflects a willingness to step up, keep learning, and take on new challenges while building a more connected and responsive organization If you're attending the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, you can also hear Melissa during the education session "The Road to Trust: How a Business Bus Tour Built Collaboration and Community" on Monday, October 19th. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open through October 31st at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week: The Anatomy of Peace Episode 393 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week's book centers on an unlikely pairing: Yusuf, a Palestinian, and Avi, an Israeli, each of whom lost his father to the other side's conflict. Rather than let that history define them, they built a program together for resolving conflicts that seem permanent: the kind where both sides are certain, with real evidence, that they're the reasonable one. That's the premise behind The Anatomy of Peace, by the Arbinger Institute, and it's a book every local government leader should sit with. The core claim is uncomfortable but hard to argue with: most of the conflicts we think are being caused by the other person are actually being sustained by how we've already decided to see them. Council dynamics, staff conflict, community pushback...these patterns show up everywhere municipal leadership actually happens. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter gets into why this book landed differently than most leadership reading we've worked through in the MLDC, what the "heart at war vs. heart at peace" distinction actually means in practice, and why the fix isn't a better tactic — it's a different way of seeing the person in front of you. If you've got a relationship at work that's stuck and you can't quite tell whose fault it is, this one's worth your five minutes. The MLDC Leadership in local government doesn't get easier as you move up. The decisions get harder. The expectations get higher. And the number of people you can openly process those challenges with gets smaller. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) gives local government leaders a place to keep growing alongside other professionals who understand the complexity of leading in local government. Inside the MLDC, you'll sharpen how you think, strengthen how you lead, and turn leadership ideas into practical action through: • Monthly Mastermind Sessions with municipal leaders from across North America • Leadership Development built specifically around the realities of local government • Practical Tools & Resources you can immediately apply with your team and organization • Ongoing Learning designed to keep you growing throughout the year You spend every day developing your organization, your employees, and your community. The MLDC is an investment in developing you. → Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Meredith Reynolds: When Excellence Becomes the Problem Why Great Leaders Have to Learn When Good Enough Is Enough Episode 392 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies For high-achieving leaders, excellence can feel like the standard for everything. But what happens when giving everything your best starts getting in the way of leading well? In this episode, Seth sits down with Meredith Reynolds, Deputy City Manager for the City of Long Beach, California, for a conversation about perfectionism, capacity, vulnerability, and learning to let go without caring less. Meredith shares how her career has been shaped by curiosity and a willingness to say yes, including stepping into an unexpected leadership role during COVID that ultimately changed the trajectory of her career. She also opens up about the harder lessons that come with increased responsibility: recognizing that not everything deserves the same amount of energy, being honest when you're not at 100%, and learning that "good enough" can sometimes be excellent leadership. Seth and Meredith also discuss developing the next generation of local government leaders, the importance of cross-functional experiences, finding joy in public service, and why no one in local government should have to lead alone. About Meredith Reynolds Meredith Reynolds serves as Deputy City Manager and Acting Director of Technology & Innovation for the City of Long Beach, California. Her career has spanned sustainability, parks and recreation, innovation, technology, and pandemic recovery. She is also deeply involved with ELGL and co-hosts the GovLove podcast. If you're attending the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, you can also hear Meredith during the education session "Don't Ask Alice: Advice from Leaders Who Have Learned to Let Go and Not Give AF" on Tuesday, October 20th. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open through October 31st at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Makenzie Lyons: When Your Strengths Become Your Weaknesses Why Leadership Growth Often Requires a Reboot Episode 391 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies What if the very strengths that helped you become successful are now holding you back as a leader? Makenzie Lyons, City Administrator of Winnsboro, Texas, joins Seth to talk about her unconventional journey into local government and the leadership transformation that followed. Makenzie shares how resilience, independence, decisiveness, and control helped her navigate difficult circumstances and advance professionally, but eventually began affecting her ability to build relationships and lead effectively. A pivotal conversation with her mayor forced Makenzie to consider a difficult possibility: "You might be the problem." That realization began a journey toward greater self-awareness, learning to lead in the gray, changing her response instead of blaming the circumstances, and understanding the patterns beneath her leadership. Makenzie will also bring this conversation to the ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach through her session, "Control Alt Delete: How to Do a Leadership Reboot." About Makenzie Lyons Makenzie Lyons is the City Administrator for Winnsboro, Texas. Her unconventional path into local government has included roles in dispatch, municipal court, banking, and city administration. Known for her resilience and commitment to personal growth, Makenzie is passionate about helping leaders develop the self-awareness needed to build stronger relationships, lead more effectively, and recognize when the behaviors that once served them may be holding them back. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Leadership shouldn't be carried alone. The MLDC is evolving in 2027 with practical leadership development and new, role-specific Mastermind cohorts designed to build trusted relationships with municipal leaders who understand your challenges. Mastermind applications are open through October 31st at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week: The Culture Map Episode 390 of The HaltingWinter Podcast When was the last time you walked out of a meeting wondering why a completely reasonable conversation landed so badly with someone else? It might not be personality...it might be culture. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter digs into Erin Meyer's The Culture Map and what her research on cross-cultural business communication reveals about the everyday friction inside local government: the department heads who read each other wrong, the feedback that backfires, the decisions that blow up even when they're technically sound. Local government sits at more of these cultural fault lines than almost any other line of work, and once you can name the pattern, you can navigate it. The MLDC Leadership in local government doesn't get easier as you move up. The decisions get harder. The expectations get higher. And the number of people you can openly process those challenges with gets smaller. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) gives local government leaders a place to keep growing alongside other professionals who understand the complexity of leading in local government. Inside the MLDC, you'll sharpen how you think, strengthen how you lead, and turn leadership ideas into practical action through: • Monthly Mastermind Sessions with municipal leaders from across North America • Leadership Development built specifically around the realities of local government • Practical Tools & Resources you can immediately apply with your team and organization • Ongoing Learning designed to keep you growing throughout the year You spend every day developing your organization, your employees, and your community. The MLDC is an investment in developing you. → Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Marketa Oliver: Who Says We Have to Do It That Way? How Creative Leadership Is Changing Local Government Episode 389 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies What happens when local government leaders stop asking, "How have we always done it?" and start asking, "What if?" Marketa Oliver, City Administrator of Bondurant, Iowa, joins Seth to talk about creative leadership, calculated risk, and building community through periods of rapid growth. From economic development and adaptive reuse to technology, AI, and creating a culture where employees have permission to try new things, Marketa shares how local government leaders can challenge assumptions without losing sight of the people they serve. It's a conversation about innovation in local government, embracing change, and having the courage to imagine a better way. About Marketa Oliver Marketa Oliver is the City Administrator of Bondurant, Iowa, and an experienced local government leader whose career has included leadership roles in Bondurant, Norwalk, and Windsor Heights, as well as service with the State of Iowa. Known for her creative approach to community development, economic development, and organizational leadership, Marketa has helped communities navigate growth while protecting the character and connections that make them unique. She has also taught public finance and budgeting at Drake University and has been recognized multiple times through ICMA's Local Government Excellence Awards. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Mark Jackson: You Can Be Right and Still Get It Wrong Why Municipal Leadership Requires More Than Knowing the Answer Episode 388 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies Being right isn't enough. After more than three decades as a city administrator, Mark Jackson has learned that successful local government leadership requires more than technical expertise. It requires judgment, communication, relationships, and the humility to recognize that you might be wrong. In this episode, Mark and Seth discuss the art and science of city management, why leaders should "design the system as if you are wrong," how trust creates the ability to move a community forward, and the simple question Mark uses to evaluate difficult decisions: What benefit, for which people, at what cost? It's a conversation about longevity, decision-making, community relationships, and the lessons that only come from decades of leading in local government. About Mark Jackson Mark Jackson is the City Administrator for Story City, Iowa, where he has served for more than three decades. Throughout his career, Mark has helped lead significant community and economic development efforts while building a reputation for relationship-driven, practical local government leadership. He has also served as president of the Iowa City/County Management Association and is the most recent recipient of the Joe Lukehart Award, presented by the Iowa City/County Management Association in recognition of his contributions to the profession. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week: The Gap and the Gain Episode 387 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Ever close out a genuinely good year...budget gaps closed, positions filled, a rough council relationship finally on stable ground...and still feel like you're behind? This episode digs into why that happens, and it's not about work ethic or how much you're getting done. It's about which direction you're measuring in. Dan Sullivan spent three decades coaching entrepreneurs and noticed the same pattern over and over: his most accomplished clients kept measuring themselves against an "ideal" that never stopped moving, which meant almost nobody felt like they were winning, no matter how much they'd actually achieved. Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organizational psychologist, brings the research behind why that pattern is so costly, not just for motivation but for long-term stress and well-being. We talk through why this concept, built originally for entrepreneurs chasing revenue targets, may actually hit harder in local government, where the wins rarely come with a scoreboard attached. The MLDC Leadership in local government doesn't get easier as you move up. The decisions get harder. The expectations get higher. And the number of people you can openly process those challenges with gets smaller. The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) gives local government leaders a place to keep growing alongside other professionals who understand the complexity of leading in local government. Inside the MLDC, you'll sharpen how you think, strengthen how you lead, and turn leadership ideas into practical action through: • Monthly Mastermind Sessions with municipal leaders from across North America • Leadership Development built specifically around the realities of local government • Practical Tools & Resources you can immediately apply with your team and organization • Ongoing Learning designed to keep you growing throughout the year You spend every day developing your organization, your employees, and your community. The MLDC is an investment in developing you. → Explore the Municipal Leadership Development Circle: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com