Ken Striplin: Culture Is Built, Not AssumedWhat It Takes to Develop Leaders and Sustain Excellence in Local Government

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Episode 305 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What does it actually take to build a municipal culture that lasts?

Not slogans. Not one-off trainings. Not a new strategic plan every few years.

In this episode, Ken Striplin, City Manager of Santa Clarita, California, shares what 30 years inside one organization has taught him about leadership, development, and intentional culture-building.

From starting as an intern to leading a city that has doubled in population under his tenure, Ken offers a rare inside look at how sustainable excellence is created and measured.

We explore:

• Why leadership is transferable and technical skills are learnable

• The power of saying "yes" before you feel fully ready

• How structured mentorship changes identity, not just performance

• Why culture must be programmed, measured, and reinforced

• The role of job shadowing and cross-department exposure in breaking silos

Santa Clarita doesn't guess about engagement. They measure it.

With 91% employee survey participation and scores that reflect genuine pride in the workplace, Ken shares the systems behind the success: leadership academies, mentoring cohorts, wellness initiatives, and intentional succession planning.

If you care about building a culture that outlives your tenure… If you're developing the next generation of municipal leaders… If you're wrestling with growth, burnout, or the weight of the city manager role…

This episode will challenge and encourage you. Because culture isn't accidental.

It's built. And it's worth building well.

Sponsored by:

• Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

• The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

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