HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions

As municipal leaders, you are the backbone of your city’s infrastructure, the unsung heroes who ensure things run smoothly—even when no one notices. But how do you create a culture of excellence that sustains through both crisis and calm? Today, Seth Winterhalter will be sharing insights on building a vibrant public works culture from the ground up during his "Engineering Excellence" keynote at the CalCities Public Works Officers Institute. It’s not just about what you do—it’s about how you do it. In this keynote, Seth will unveil his Triple-Cord Framework, a powerful model that helps leaders like you cultivate an environment where your teams thrive, even in the toughest times, and where every member feels valued, supported, and engaged. Your work may happen in the background, but it drives the very heartbeat of your community. Let’s make sure your team never feels like they stand in the shadows alone. Swipe through the carousel to explore more about how Seth’s dynamic keynotes can elevate your next event and help your leadership team create lasting change. #PublicSectorLeadership #MunicipalLeadership #KeynoteSpeaker #PublicWorks #CityManagement #MunicipalSolutions #LeadershipExcellence

In the latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter interviews Michael T Paulhus, Town Manager of Plainville, Connecticut, who's revolutionizing municipal communication on a shoestring budget. Michael shares how his unconventional background - from Peace Corps service in Tanzania to private wealth management - shaped his innovative approach to government leadership: ? How he acquired $10,000 equipment for just $50 through creative resource management ??The transformation from social media novice to municipal communication pioneer ? Why private sector experience gave him a fresh perspective on government efficiency ? His five pillars for personal well-being in a demanding leadership role "I think the time couldn't be better to be looking at a career in local government," Michael notes. "There's great opportunity, plenty of chances to get started.” This episode is perfect for:? ? Current municipal leaders looking for innovative communication ideas? ? Early-career professionals considering public service? ??Anyone interested in how diverse experiences can transform leadership Listen now:?https://lnkd.in/eQnuDse3 The HaltingWinter Podcast explores how municipal leaders can thrive personally and professionally while creating maximum impact for their communities. #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #LocalGovernment #CityManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #CityManager?

"The true test of municipal leadership isn't managing budgets or navigating politics. It's creating an environment where everyone feels part of something larger than themselves." This week, the MLDC explores Simon Sinek's "Leaders Eat Last" through the unique lens of municipal government leadership. Our in-depth content series tackles: ? Creating psychological safety in politically complex environments ??Sustainable leadership practices that prevent burnout ? Building collaborative cultures that transcend departmental silos ? Practical implementation strategies for Monday morning Today's blog and podcast are available to everyone, but MLDC members get access to the complete 5-part series plus Friday's collaborative discussion where city managers nationwide share implementation insights. Try the MLDC free for 7 days and transform how your municipal teams work together: https://lnkd.in/eZf_zysH Today's free content: ??Blog: "The Chemistry of Trust: Why Great Cities Start with Leaders Who Serve" (read here: https://lnkd.in/eitEEim2) ? Podcast: "The Municipal Leader's Paradox" (listen here: https://lnkd.in/ehNYAVcV) #StrongerCities #StrongerLeaders #PublicServiceLeadership #MunicipalExcellence

New Podcast Interview:?https://lnkd.in/e7V-gcqr In Episode 149 of The Halting Winter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Zach Walker, City Manager of Independence, Missouri, to discuss Identity, Purpose and Impact in City Management. From his unexpected career path to his strategies for maintaining work-life boundaries in an all-consuming role, Zach offers a masterclass in municipal leadership. "If you're not intentional about it, you're not going to prioritize it," Zach explains when discussing how he protects time for himself and his family amid the demands of managing a city of 120,000 residents. This episode offers practical wisdom for city managers and all municipal leaders looking to balance professional impact with personal wellbeing. Subscribe to The Halting Winter Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and never miss an episode dedicated to building stronger cities through stronger leaders. ----- Are you a member of the Missouri City/County Management Association? Join Seth as he keynotes the upcoming Spring Conference April 30 - May 2 at the Margaritaville Resort in Osage Beach. Register Here: https://bit.ly/3DCsInq #CityManager #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #LeadershipDevelopment

Municipal leaders face unprecedented demands on their time and attention. But what if managing your calendar better isn't the answer? This week on the HaltingWinter blog, we're exploring a paradigm shift from "The Power of Full Engagement" that's transforming municipal leadership effectiveness: ? Why energy management outperforms time management for high-stakes municipal decisions ? How strategic recovery periods are improving council meeting outcomes ? The four energy dimensions every city manager needs to understand and optimize At HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we're committed to equipping municipal leaders with evidence-based strategies that enhance both personal sustainability and organizational impact. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/edguFgRB Join dozens of municipal leaders from around the nation in the MLDC (Municipal Leadership Development Circle) with a FREE 7-day trial. Gain immediate access to exclusive content, implementation guides, and a supportive community of forward-thinking leaders who are revolutionizing municipal governance. Start Here: https://lnkd.in/eZf_zysH #MunicipalLeadership #CityManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #MLDC

NEW PODCAST:?https://lnkd.in/ejgtH_tb In this week's HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter explores how energy management principles from "The Power of Full Engagement" are transforming municipal leadership nationwide. Through compelling case studies and practical applications, this episode reveals: ? Why strategic recovery periods are as crucial as focused work for municipal leaders ? How energy-aware leadership naturally breaks down departmental silos ? The four dimensions of energy that drive leadership effectiveness in high-pressure situations The HaltingWinter approach to municipal leadership combines evidence-based strategies with practical implementation guidance, creating sustainable excellence in public service. ——— Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with a free 7-day trial and get immediate access to our complete content library, implementation resources, and a community of innovative municipal leaders. Join Here: https://lnkd.in/eZf_zysH #MunicipalLeadership #CityManagement #PublicService #EnergyManagement #HaltingWinter

New Podcast Episode:?https://lnkd.in/esim6AR5 The most powerful force in your municipal organization might be one you've never considered: the unconscious thinking patterns driving leadership decisions. Starting yesterday, Seth Winterhalter explores how breakthrough cognitive science research applies to the unique challenges of city management. In our first episode, "Navigating Two Minds in Municipal Leadership," we examine: ? The two distinct thinking systems operating in every city hall ? Why timing matters more than we realize for complex decisions ??How to recognize when you're operating on leadership autopilot This week-long series culminates in our Friday Virtual Book Club for MLDC members. Start your FREE 7-day trial right now so you don't miss all 5 episodes of the podcast series: https://lnkd.in/eZf_zysH #MunicipalLeadership #CityManagement #PodcastSeries #DecisionScience #LocalGovernment

NEW EPISODE ALERT:?https://lnkd.in/eNEryHNr "Finding Your Leadership Shoes" with Amanda M., City Administrator of Harrisburg, South Dakota In Episode 147 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Amanda shares powerful insights on: ? Building genuine relationships with elected officials and staff ??Navigating the challenges of being a city's first manager ??How national politics impacts local decision-making (even in small towns) ??Finding authentic leadership style in a high-pressure role ??Setting boundaries while remaining accessible Amanda's journey from political organizing to city management offers a refreshing perspective on municipal leadership that's both practical and inspiring. Her advice for leaders facing decision paralysis in today's political climate? "Make the decision. Whatever's gonna happen after the decision is made is gonna happen, but this churning... is so costly in actual dollars, but also in political capital, in time, in other resources." This episode is especially valuable for: ??City managers and administrators ??Department heads navigating political dynamics ? Aspiring municipal leaders ??Anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact in local government Listen now and subscribe so you never miss an episode! #BuildingStrongerCities #MunicipalLeadership #CityManagement #PublicService #HaltingWinterPodcast

Today’s Leadership Insight:?https://lnkd.in/eNR9-t7f This week in the MLDC, we've been exploring how the science of decision-making directly impacts municipal leadership effectiveness. Through daily insights from Daniel Kahneman's research, we examined: ? How unconscious thinking patterns affect critical city decisions ? Why timing matters more than we realize for complex analysis ? How to build organizational cultures that make better decisions To experience all of the content and the leadership community, start your FREE 7-day trial of the MLDC right now: https://lnkd.in/eZf_zysH #MunicipalLeadership #CityManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #DecisionMaking

New City Manager Interview:?https://lnkd.in/e3ifMJPc Culture Change at 6,000 Feet: Join us for a fascinating conversation with Joe Irvin, City Manager of South Lake Tahoe. Managing a city that grows from 22,000 to 125,000 residents every weekend requires unique leadership strategies. Irvin shares how he: ? Transformed his entire leadership team over 5 years ??Built an innovative "high speed, low drag" culture ???Navigated tourism challenges while serving residents ??Managed through COVID with plummeting revenues ??Created sustainable work-life integration practices Hear his journey from snowboard wax entrepreneur to city manager. Listen now:?https://lnkd.in/e3ifMJPc #CityManager #MunicipalLeadership #OrganizationalCulture