Breaking Down Bureaucracy: From Banking to Municipal Innovation

Episode 121 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Episode Overview

Meet Brooks Williams, the City Manager of Ferris, Texas, who is transforming the perception of public service through bold leadership and innovative management. From his unconventional path through banking to becoming the longest-serving city manager in Ferris's 150-year history, Brooks shares how he turned around a city known for dysfunction into a high-performing organization that moves faster than its private sector partners.

Key Discussion Points

• How banking and private sector experience shapes innovative public sector leadership
• Transforming a challenging municipal culture through radical transparency
• Creating high-performance expectations in government organizations
• The importance of vulnerability and honest communication in leadership
• Why protecting personal boundaries is crucial for sustained leadership impact
• Building a culture that challenges "we've always done it this way" thinking

Memorable Quotes

"Converting oxygen into carbon dioxide is not going to work for us here. That is not the litmus test for if you're a successful employee."

"Any conversation we have is out of a place of love... I don't believe you really care about people if you're not willing to have tough conversations."

Resources Mentioned

• Brook's Book: "Rising to Serve: A Re-imagining Public Administration for a New Era"
• Connect with Brooks on LinkedIn

Note: Our Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is launching in January 2025 and founding memberships are open for a limited time! Visit HaltingWinter.com/MLDC to learn more and save your seat. Early enrollment pricing and bonuses are limited!

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