Show Notes: Kristen Dorman: From Reluctant Start to Intentional Journey Episode 158 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview In this insightful episode of the HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter speaks with Kristen Dorman, Assistant City Manager of Warrensburg, Missouri. Kristen shares her fascinating journey from dismissing municipal government as a career ("whatever career that is, I don't want it") despite her mother being a county manager, to finding her calling in city management, and ultimately serving as interim city manager just six weeks into a new position. Their conversation explores the importance of mentorship in municipal careers, the value of creating work-life boundaries, the realities of managing different-sized communities, and how the profession must evolve to attract the next generation of leaders.

Episode Highlights:

• The Reluctant Beginning: How Kristen initially avoided following in her mother's municipal leadership footsteps before discovering her passion for local government through a Fellowship program
• The Value of Mentorship: The crucial role of mentors like Zach Walker who provided opportunities for growth by including Kristen in high-level projects and pushing her to seek new challenges
• Size Matters in City Management: Contrasting experiences in large cities (Independence, Surprise) versus smaller communities (Pleasant Hill) and the hands-on knowledge gained from wearing multiple department director hats in smaller organizations
• Stepping Away & Returning Stronger: Kristen's decision to leave municipal government to work for the Alliance for Innovation and how this break helped her clarify her passion while establishing healthier work boundaries
• Sudden Leadership Transition: Being thrust into the interim city manager role after just six weeks as assistant city manager and navigating leadership with transparency and teamwork
• Work-Life Integration: Challenging the 60-70 hour workweek norm in city management and demonstrating that effective leadership is possible with healthy boundaries
• The Future of Municipal Management: Candid discussion about how the profession must evolve beyond burnout culture to attract younger generations who value work-life balance
• Leading by Example: How city manager work habits set the tone for organizational culture and the importance of modeling sustainable practices
• Motherhood and Leadership: Insights on how becoming a parent enhanced Kristen's empathy and perspective as a municipal leader

Connect with Kristen Dorman:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Kristen Here

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
• Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions: At HaltingWinter, our mission is to build stronger cities through stronger leaders by providing municipal leadership development services, rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership framework. To explore how we can strengthen you and your municipality, visit haltingwinter.com.

Upcoming Events: Don't miss Seth Winterhalter at the Missouri City and County Managers Association Spring Conference at the Margaritaville Resort. Register now at www.momanagers.org/191/Spring-Conference.

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