The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revita...
133: Monte Walker: Broadcasting, Business & Building the Future
Show Notes: Monte Walker: Broadcasting, Business & Building the Future Episode 133 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter and Monte Walker, City Administrator of Howe, Texas, for a fascinating journey through municipal leadership from a uniquely multi-dimensional perspective. From his 30-year career as a sports broadcaster to owning the local newspaper and now leading his hometown's administration, Monte shares invaluable insights on community connection, cultural transformation, and preparing for transformative growth. Key Takeaways The advantage of deep community roots in municipal leadership How diverse private sector experience enhances public service Strategies for managing cultural transformation during staff transitions Balancing small-town character with inevitable growth The importance of long-term infrastructure decisions in shaping a city's future Building trust through transparent communication and community engagement Career Highlights Discussed Multi-generational family history in Howe dating back to 1895 30+ years as a high school sports broadcaster Former owner of local newspaper publication Economic Development Director experience Leadership through critical infrastructure decisions Managing cultural transformation as City Administrator Leadership Insights Leveraging communication skills from broadcasting in municipal leadership Building trust through consistent community presence and engagement Balancing transparency with professional boundaries The importance of cultural fit in building an effective municipal team Making decisions with 75-year impact while maintaining current operations Key Projects Discussed Wastewater treatment planning for future growth Historical church building restoration project Cultural transformation within city staff Managing infrastructure emergencies in extreme weather Preparing for population growth from 3,700 to 10,000 Resources Mentioned The Leader's Lens Newsletter: Subscribe for Free Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here Visit www.haltingwinter.com for more resources Connect With Seth Winterhalter &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8" style= "box-sizing: inherit; padding-left: 2rem; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Inter, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com MLDC Launch Week The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) launched last week, on January 6th, and to celebrate, we're giving podcast listeners 20% off an annual subscription during the month of January. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you checkout today! --> JOIN HERE
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132: The Effective Executive
Show Notes: Episode 132: The Effective Executive The HaltingWinter Podcast In this episode and the first of a new five-part series (for MLDC members) on Peter Drucker's book, "The Effective Executive," Seth Winterhalter challenges our fundamental understanding of leadership effectiveness. Through the compelling story of a dedicated city manager, discover why being productive might actually be holding you back from being truly effective, and learn how to make the crucial shift from "doing things right" to "doing the right things." Key Takeaways The critical distinction between productivity and effectiveness in municipal leadership Why traditional measures of productivity can mask ineffectiveness Four essential strategies for becoming a more effective leader The relationship between strategic focus and leadership impact Core Principles Explored Strategic Time Management: Moving beyond "busy" to "effective" Decision Impact: Making fewer but more significant decisions Team Development: Building self-sufficient operational teams Strategic Space: Creating room for true leadership work Leadership Applications Identifying truly important priorities versus urgent tasks Developing criteria for strategic decision-making Creating systems for effective delegation Establishing space for strategic thinking Resources Mentioned Book: "The Effective Executive" by Peter Drucker The HaltingWinter Blog: www.HaltingWinter.com/news Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): More Here Connect With Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com MLDC Membership Benefits Access the complete emotional intelligence series and join our growing community of municipal leaders through MLDC membership. Includes exclusive access to daily content, implementation guides, and peer discussion forums. Learn More Here
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131: Martha Bennett: From City Hall Kid to City Hall Leader
Show Notes: From City Hall Kid to City Hall Leader Episode 131 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter and Martha Bennett, City Manager of Lake Oswego, Oregon, for a unique perspective on municipal leadership through the lens of someone who literally grew up in city management. From watching her father navigate council meetings to now leading one of Oregon's most distinctive communities, Martha shares invaluable insights on effective governance, mission-driven leadership, and building sustainable cities. Key Takeaways &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> The power of mission-focused leadership in municipal government How to effectively manage the "30-30-30-10" time allocation for city leaders Strategies for fostering productive council dynamics and civil discourse The importance of tailoring communication to different stakeholders Why setting the table for policy discussions is more important than driving outcomes Balancing high quality of life with growing community demands Career Highlights Discussed &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> Second-generation city manager perspective Experience with unique governance structures (Metro, Columbia River Gorge Commission) Leading diverse communities from Ashland to Lake Oswego Service on ICMA Board and Oregon City/County Management Association Navigating complex regional partnerships and initiatives Leadership Insights &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> The critical balance between policy work and tangible results How to maintain personal boundaries in a public-facing role Strategies for translating complex municipal issues for different audiences Building trust across politically diverse communities Resources Mentioned &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> ICMA Oregon City/County Management Association The Leader's Lens Newsletter: Subscribe for Free Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here Connect With Seth Winterhalter &]:mt-2 [li>mark>&]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com MLDC Launch Week The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) launched this week, on January 6th, and to celebrate, we're giving podcast listeners 25% off an annual subscription. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you checkout today! Join the MLDC today! --> Join Here
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130: Understanding Your Emotional Intelligence
Show Notes: Episode 130: Understanding Your Emotional IntelligenceThe HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Discover why the most successful city managers aren't necessarily those with the highest IQs or most impressive technical knowledge. Seth Winterhalter explores Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking work on Emotional Intelligence and its crucial role in municipal leadership. Through real-world examples and practical insights, learn how emotional intelligence transforms leadership effectiveness and builds stronger municipal organizations. Key Takeaways &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> Why emotional intelligence often determines leadership success more than technical expertise How understanding unspoken emotional dynamics transforms council relationships The connection between emotional awareness and crisis management effectiveness Practical strategies for applying emotional intelligence in high-pressure municipal environments Core Principles Explored &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> Self-Awareness: Understanding your leadership style and emotional triggers People-Awareness: Reading and responding to stakeholders' emotional needs Language-Awareness: Communicating effectively in various contexts Converting technical skills into meaningful impact through emotional intelligence Resources Mentioned &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> Book: "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman The HaltingWinter Blog: www.HaltingWinter.com/news Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens: Subscribe for Free Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here Connect With Seth &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8"> LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com Special MLDC Offer Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) to access four additional deep-dive episodes this week on emotional intelligence in municipal leadership. Current members can access these episodes on the MLDC platform or via the app. Learn more here ->
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129: A Municipal Christmas Poem
Show Notes: A Municipal Christmas Poem Episode 129 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview: In this special holiday episode, we're taking a creative approach to celebrating the dedication of municipal leaders. Through a reimagining of the classic "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," we honor the tireless work of city managers and employees who serve their communities even during the holiday season. Connect With Seth Winterhalter &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8" style="box-sizing: inherit; padding-left: 2rem; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Inter, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com Christmas Special Ready to transform your leadership journey? The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is launching in January 2025 and pre-launch pricing has been extended until December 31st. Enroll now to save 50% off your annual subscription. &]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8" style="box-sizing: inherit; padding-left: 2rem; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Inter, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> Secure your spot HERE
The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revitalize their municipalities. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we explore innovative approaches to balance personal well-being with professional growth while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture.
Discover how to lead with purpose, navigate complex challenges, and deliver exceptional results for your community. Each episode provides actionable advice to help you thrive in the unique landscape of municipal leadership.
Whether you're a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, this podcast is your resource for personal and professional growth. Tune in and join our mission of making stronger cities through stronger leaders.
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