Shining a Light on Mike Land: Genuine Leadership in Public Service

As part of my Leader Spotlight series, I’m thrilled to highlight Mike Land , the City Manager of Coppell, Texas, and the recently selected 2024-2025 ICMA - International City/County Management Association President-elect. Mike’s journey in public service is noteworthy, and his recent achievement is a testament to his dedication and exemplary leadership.

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Early Career and Key Roles

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Mike began serving as the City Manager for City of Coppell in April 2017 after being the Deputy City Manager since 2012. His extensive career includes roles as the Town Manager for Town of Prosper , Texas, and the City Manager for City of Gainesville, Texas . Mike's experience also spans working as the Executive Director of the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation and the Community Development Director in Gainesville, Texas. His early career included pivotal roles in Sarasota and Orlando, Florida, as a Project Manager for a land planning firm and as the Planning and Zoning Director in Tavares, Florida. While in Sarasota, he notably served as Chairman of Sarasota County's Affordable Housing Task Force.

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Personal Anecdote

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I first met Mike at a Texas City Management Association conference when he was the City Manager in Gainesville, and I was a young assistant to the city manager in Southlake. I was visiting with a group of graduate school peers when Mike came up and introduced himself to the group. Mike's approachability and genuine interest in our career aspirations made a lasting impression on me. Ever since then, Mike has continued to greet everyone with a warm smile and a positive attitude, traits that make him an exemplary leader.

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Leadership Style and Personal Growth

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Mike's experience in public service has significantly shaped his identity and values, providing him with confidence and a clear sense of purpose. He finds peace and joy in uplifting others by creating structures and systems that enable their success. Embracing John Dickson’s definition of humility from the book Humilitas, Mike lives by the principle of "the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself." This guiding principle resonates deeply with Mike, reflecting an approach he unknowingly adopted early in life and has come to understand more fully over time.

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Challenges and Lessons Learned

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Handling criticism and public scrutiny has been a significant learning curve for Mike. In his younger years, he struggled with taking criticism personally. Over time, he learned to compartmentalize the issue being criticized and discard the personal, non-beneficial aspects. "I learned (and am still learning) to listen to what is being said about the performance or outcome. My focus is on the thought and implementation process and the results," Mike explains. This approach has enabled him to make necessary adjustments and clearly communicate the reasoning behind his decisions and actions.

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Community Impact and Empathy

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Mike’s interactions with the public have taught him valuable lessons about empathy and understanding. He has learned the importance of consciously and purposefully slowing down to connect with individuals who may be experiencing difficulties with city actions. Although he does not seek out conflict, Mike understands that during such interactions, his role is to be present and genuinely care. "When I interact with someone in that state of mind, the moment is about them—not me, not the city. It’s about that person. My only purpose is to be present because I genuinely care," Mike shares. This focus on empathy and understanding has become a cornerstone of his leadership style, ensuring that community concerns are addressed with compassion and respect.

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Innovation and Adaptability

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Adaptability and flexibility are key mantras in Mike's organization. He emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adaptable, as no two days are the same in public service. To stay adaptable, Mike commits to continuous learning, reading a book a month on various topics, and listening to a wide variety of podcasts. He also reads daily news stories from various outlets and sets aside time each day for deep work on significant issues, contemplating the future and exploring possibilities. By equipping his team with the necessary skills, tools, and growth mindset, Mike ensures that they are prepared to face any challenge while making decisions aligned with the city’s purpose and values.

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Mentorship and Influence

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Mentoring others brings immense joy to Mike’s life. Whether for professional or personal reasons, he finds it humbling that individuals entrust him with their confidence. Mike is proud that his relationships may have contributed to the success of those he mentors. Through the process of listening and questioning, he also challenges himself to answer the same questions. Mike confidently states that he has learned more from the people he mentors than they likely learned from him. "Seeing the world through their fresh perspectives energizes me daily to be a better person," Mike reflects.

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Service on the ICMA Board

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As the incoming ICMA president-elect, Mike is dedicated to continuing the noble work of public service. He acknowledges the selfless sacrifices made by public servants on behalf of their communities and the joy that comes from seeing communities thrive. Mike's primary focus as president-elect will be on building trust within the ICMA board and its members. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and earning the trust of members and the Association. A critical part of this effort is ensuring that the board hires the next ICMA Executive Director who can advance the Association to the next level in support of and in service to its membership.

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Mike Land’s journey in public service is a testament to the power of genuine leadership, adaptability, and a heartfelt commitment to community. His upcoming role as ICMA President is sure to uplift and lead many more to embrace the noble path of public service. Thank you, Mike, for being a genuine and authentic public servant and for your unwavering dedication to improving our communities.

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If you’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike or have been inspired by his leadership, share your experiences in the comments below. Let’s celebrate Mike’s incredible contributions to public service and the positive impact he’s had on our communities. Your stories and insights can inspire others and highlight the importance of dedicated leaders like Mike.

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#PublicService #Leadership #CityManagement #Mentorship #CelebratingCityLeaders #LeadershipExcellence