Show Notes: Michael Paulhus: Biology, Banking, and Better Government Episode 151 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview In this captivating episode of the HaltingWinter podcast, Seth Winterhalter speaks with Michael Paulhus, Town Manager of Plainville, Connecticut. From Tanzania with the Peace Corps to wealth management at RBC to pioneering municipal social media strategies, Michael's diverse career path offers unique insights into effective local government leadership. Their conversation explores how curiosity and continuous learning can transform municipal communication and leadership.

Episode Highlights:

• An Unconventional Journey: Michael's fascinating path from biology student to Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania to municipal leadership showcases the value of diverse experiences
• Dual Leadership Perspective: The rare insights gained from serving both as an elected official (First Selectman) and appointed Town Manager
• Private Sector Principles: How five years at RBC Wealth Management transformed Michael's approach to efficiency, resource management, and questioning established processes
• Creative Resource Management: The innovative strategies Michael used to acquire expensive equipment for just $50 through state surplus programs, saving his municipality tens of thousands
• Social Media Revolution: How Michael went from social media novice to municipal communication innovator, creating engaging content across multiple platforms
• Team Building Approach: Michael's success in building a multi-generational communication team that leverages different strengths and perspectives
• Self-Care Philosophy: The five pillars Michael follows for personal wellbeing: diet, exercise, meditation, prayer, and sleep
• Curiosity as Leadership Strength: The power of intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning in opening doors and creating community opportunities

Connect with Michael Paulhus:

• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltpaulhus/

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.

Don't miss Seth Winterhalter at the Missouri City and County Managers Association Spring Conference at the Margaritaville Resort, starting April 30th. Register now at www.momanagers.org/191/Spring-Conference.

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

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

The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a community for city managers and administrators from around the country to find support personally and professionally as they lead thriving teams and communities. We're giving podcast listeners 20% off your subscription with a 7-day FREE trial to make sure it's the right fit for you. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you register today! --> JOIN HERE

Show Notes: "The Municipal Leader's Paradox"Episode 150 of The HaltingWinter PodcastPart 1 of 5: "Leaders Eat Last" Series

Episode Overview Seth Winterhalter explores how Simon Sinek's "Leaders Eat Last" principles apply uniquely to municipal leadership. This episode delves into the paradox city managers face: being expected to project strength and control while creating environments of safety and trust that truly drive organizational excellence. Seth examines how this tension manifests in daily leadership scenarios and introduces practical strategies for navigating this challenge.

 Discover how creating what Sinek calls a "Circle of Safety" can transform municipal organizations from bureaucratic institutions into dynamic, purpose-driven teams that deliver exceptional community service. Unlock the entire 5-part "Leaders Eat Last" series by starting your free 7-day trial of the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) today.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the Servant Leader's Paradox in municipal government
• How creating a "Circle of Safety" transforms municipal service delivery
• Why psychological safety enables innovation and better public service
• Balancing authority with accessibility in leadership roles

Special: Free 7-Day MLDC Trial Experience the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with full access to:

• All five "Leaders Eat Last" podcast episodes
• Daily deep-dive blog posts
• Friday's Virtual Book Club discussion
• Complete MLDC platform and app access
• Nationwide community of municipal leaders
• No upfront commitment required - visit HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Resources Mentioned

• Book: "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek
• Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens (free subscription)
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

Connect With Seth

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

Show Notes: Zach Walker: Identity, Purpose and Impact in City Management Episode 149 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Overview In this episode of the Halting Winter podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Zach Walker, City Manager of Independence, Missouri. Through their conversation, Zach shares his unique journey into city management, the challenges of balancing life on the municipal tightrope, and how he maintains his personal identity while serving in a demanding public role.

• Zach's Unexpected Path: From aspiring sports broadcaster to city management, Zach's career journey demonstrates the value of exploring different paths in public service 
• Mentorship Impact: How various mentors shaped Zach's career trajectory and leadership approach 
• Making the Leadership Leap: The dramatic transition from city auditor to assistant city manager during an organizational upheaval 
• The Self-Aware Leader: Zach's candid discussion on recognizing his limitations as a new city manager and strategically hiring experienced assistants 
• Walking the Municipal Tightrope: Balancing the demands of elected officials, department heads, and citizens 
• Mental Health in Leadership: Vulnerable reflections on managing stress during the pandemic and the importance of seeking help 
• Building a Life Outside the Office: Practical strategies for protecting personal time and maintaining identity beyond the job title
• Professional Association Involvement: How engagement with municipal leadership organizations benefits both individual leaders and their communities 

• LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/zach-walker-9572218b/
• Missouri City/County Management Association: www.momanagers.org

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.

Don't miss Seth Winterhalter at the Missouri City and County Managers Association Spring Conference at the Margaritaville Resort, starting April 30th. Register now at www.momanagers.org/191/Spring-Conference.

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

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

The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a community for city managers and administrators from around the country to find support personally and professionally as they lead thriving teams and communities. We're giving podcast listeners 20% off your subscription with a 7-day FREE trial to make sure it's the right fit for you. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you register today! --> JOIN HERE

Show Notes: "The Energy-Driven Municipal Leader" Episode 148 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Part 1 of 5: "The Power of Full Engagement" Series

Episode Overview Seth Winterhalter begins a 5-part exploration of the concepts from "The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, revealing why managing energy—not time—is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Learn how to build capacity in four essential energy dimensions to transform both your professional effectiveness and personal fulfillment, specifically for city managers and administrators in your municipal world context.

Key Takeaways

• Why managing energy trumps managing time for sustainable performance
• The four sources of energy: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
• How strategic energy renewal practices prevent burnout and boost productivity
• The importance of creating positive energy rituals to sustain peak performance

Implementation Examples

• Structuring your workday around energy cycles rather than clock time
• Creating boundaries between work and recovery periods
• Designing morning and evening rituals to optimize energy management
• Aligning daily activities with your core values to access spiritual energy

Special: Free 7-Day MLDC Trial Experience the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with full access to:

• All five "Power of Full Engagement" podcast episodes
• Daily deep-dive blog posts
• Friday's Virtual Book Club discussion
• Complete MLDC platform and app access
• Nationwide community of municipal leaders
• Use code "Podcast" for an exclusive discount: JOIN NOW

Resources Mentioned

• Book: "The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
• Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens (free subscription)
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

Connect With Seth

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

Show Notes: Amanda Mack: Finding Your Leadership ShoesEpisode 147 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter for an insightful conversation with Amanda Mack, City Administrator of Harrisburg, South Dakota. From her background in political organizing to becoming a city manager, Amanda shares her journey through municipal leadership, including the challenges of being the first city manager in a community transitioning to a new form of government. Discover her unique perspectives on building relationships, navigating political dynamics, and finding authentic leadership while maintaining personal well-being in the demanding world of city management.

Key Takeaways

• The non-linear path from political organizing to city administration
• Strategies for successful relationship-building with elected officials and staff
• The challenges and opportunities of being a city's first manager
• How national political discourse impacts local governance, even in small communities
• Finding ways to be vulnerable and authentic as a municipal leader
• Building and maintaining professional networks for support and growth
• The importance of intentional communication with elected officials
• Creating boundaries and work-life integration in an all-encompassing role
• Finding purpose in municipal work through community building

Notable Quotes "Every day we leave a mark on the world. And that is a real driving force for me... Keep at it. Keep your heads up. And continue with the noble cause of service." - Amanda Mack

"Local government for decades has had the privilege of being largely shielded from the national environment. That doesn't really exist anymore... Everything we do is political from how your garbage gets picked up to how you vote." - Amanda Mack

"The best leader is the self-aware leader. And that means coming to terms with where you falter and where you're not productive and where you're not living into who you're called to be." - Amanda Mack

Resources Mentioned

• Working Genius - Personality assessment tool for understanding team dynamics
• The Leader's Lens Newsletter: Subscribe for Free
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here
• Visit www.haltingwinter.com for more resources

Connect with Amanda Mack

• LinkedIn: Amanda Mack's LinkedIn Profile

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

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

The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a community for city managers and administrators from around the country to find support personally and professionally as they lead thriving teams and communities. We're giving podcast listeners 20% off an annual subscription with a 7-day FREE trial to make sure it's the right fit for you. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you register today! --> JOIN HERE

Show Notes: "Navigating Two Minds in Municipal Leadership" Episode 146 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Part 1 of 5: "Thinking Fast and Slow" Series

Episode Overview Seth Winterhalter explores how Daniel Kahneman's fascinating research on decision-making applies directly to municipal leadership. Discover how understanding the two thinking systems in your brain can transform your effectiveness as a city manager and elevate your leadership approach when facing complex municipal challenges.

Key Takeaways

• The crucial distinction between "fast thinking" and "slow thinking" in leadership decision-making
• Why your reliable leadership instincts can sometimes undermine strategic effectiveness
• How to recognize when each thinking system serves you best in municipal governance
• Practical strategies for engaging your analytical mind when automatic responses aren't optimal

Leadership Application Examples

• Navigating political dynamics with both quick instinct and thoughtful analysis
• Transforming how you approach council presentations and community engagement
• Balancing crisis response with strategic consideration of broader implications
• Recognizing when your thinking patterns may be limiting organizational innovation

Resources Mentioned

• Book: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman
• Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens (free subscription)
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

Special: Free 7-Day MLDC Trial Experience the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with full access to:

• All five podcast episodes
• Daily deep-dive blog posts
• Friday's Virtual Book Club discussion
• Complete MLDC platform and app access
• Nationwide community of city managers and administrators
• Use coupon code "Podcast" for an exclusive discount: JOIN NOW

Connect With Seth

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

Show Notes: Joe Irvin: Culture Change at 6,000 Feet Episode 145 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter for a fascinating conversation with Joe Irvin, City Manager of South Lake Tahoe, California. From his entrepreneurial beginnings selling snowboard wax to leading a complex tourist destination city, Joe shares powerful insights about transforming organizational culture, managing through crisis, and maintaining personal well-being while leading a city that fluctuates from 22,000 to 125,000 residents every weekend.

Key Takeaways

• Taking the helm during COVID and navigating severe revenue challenges
• Transforming organizational culture through intentional leadership development
• Managing the unique dynamics of a major tourist destination city
• Building an innovative "high speed, low drag" organizational culture
• Creating work-life integration as a city manager
• Leveraging post-COVID opportunities to diversify municipal talent
• Balancing resident and tourist needs in city planning and services

Leadership Insights

• How to build vulnerability and trust among department heads
• Strategies for effective communication in a complex political environment
• Methods for encouraging healthy disagreement and creative pushback
• Techniques for deep work and strategic thinking as a city manager
• Approaches to maintaining personal wellness while leading a city
• Building mutual respect among departments with competing priorities
• Creating sustainable practices for long-term community development

Notable Quotes "My philosophy is that we need to treat people with compassion, dignity, and respect. And I let people know, you can push back on me. I don't want you to just accept and say, 'Yes, sir, we're going to do that.' Tell me why I'm wrong." - Joe Irvin

Resources Mentioned

• The Leader's Lens Newsletter: Subscribe for Free
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here
• Visit www.haltingwinter.com for more resources

Connect with Joe Irvin

• LinkedIn: Joe Irvin's LinkedIn Profile

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

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

The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) launched in January as a community for city managers and administrators to find support personally and professionally as they lead thriving teams and communities. To celebrate, we're giving podcast listeners 20% off an annual subscription with a 7-day FREE trial to make sure it's the right fit for you. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you register today! --> JOIN HERE

Show Notes: "The Purpose-Driven City Hall" Episode 144 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Part 1 of 5: "Start With Why" Series

Episode Overview Seth Winterhalter explores how Simon Sinek's "Start With Why" principles can transform municipal leadership, examining how purpose-driven leadership can turn good departments into exceptional city governments. Learn how to move beyond bureaucratic processes to create meaningful community impact.

Key Takeaways

• Why bureaucracy fills the void when teams lose sight of purpose
• How clear purpose simplifies complex municipal decision-making
• The connection between purpose and organizational resilience
• Converting technical decisions into community impact

Implementation Examples

• Transforming department meetings through purpose-focused discussions
• Converting budget debates into collaborative resource alignment
• Reframing daily operations through community impact
• Building cross-departmental purpose alignment

Special: Free 7-Day MLDC Trial Experience the Municipal Leadership Development Circle with full access to:

• All five "Start With Why" podcast episodes
• Daily deep-dive blog posts
• Friday's Virtual Book Club discussion
• Complete MLDC platform and app access
• Nationwide community of municipal leaders
• Use code "Podcast" for an exclusive discount: JOIN NOW

Resources Mentioned

• Book: "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek
• Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens (free subscription)
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

Connect With Seth

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

Show Notes: Steve Pauken: Finding Your Way to Yes Episode 143 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter for an insightful conversation with Steve Pauken, City Manager of Bisbee, Arizona, who shares his amazing journey in local government. From his early days as a councilman and mayor in Maumee, Ohio to his current post-retirement role, Steve offers unique perspectives on transforming municipal leadership through the art of finding ways to yes, building sustainable leadership practices, and creating lasting impact in local government.

Key Takeaways

• The transformative power of finding ways to yes instead of defaulting to no
• Leveraging private sector experience in public service
• Leading with freedom: insights from post-retirement city management
• Navigating political dynamics while remaining apolitical
• Building sustainable leadership practices through work-life integration
• The value of having interests outside work (like astrophotography)
• Managing financial challenges

Leadership Insights

• How to transform bureaucratic barriers into creative solutions
• The importance of understanding both private and public sector perspectives
• Strategies for maintaining professional effectiveness while protecting personal well-being
• Converting early career feedback into transformational leadership practices
• Building trust through diplomatic yet firm boundary setting
• Leading with conviction rather than fear
• Creating sustainable organizational culture in municipal government

Notable Quotes "The motive should always be to find a way to yes." - Steve Pauken

Resources Mentioned

• The Leader's Lens Newsletter: Subscribe for Free
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC): Learn More Here
• Visit www.haltingwinter.com for more resources

Connect with Steve Pauken

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-pauken-03478125/

Connect With Seth Winterhalter

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

The MLDC  The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) launched in January as a community for city managers and administrators to find support personally and professionally as they become stronger leaders. To celebrate, we're giving podcast listeners 20% off an annual subscription with a 7-day FREE trial to make sure it's the right fit for you. Visit the link below and use the coupon code "PODCAST" when you checkout today! --> JOIN HERE

Show Notes: "Breaking the Silence: Your Municipal Team's Hidden Potential"Episode 142 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Part 1 of 5: The Five Dysfunctions Series

Episode Overview In this powerful opening episode, Seth Winterhalter explores how Patrick Lencioni's "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" directly applies to municipal leadership, revealing how the 'municipal mask' often prevents teams from reaching their full potential. Learn how to transform surface-level cooperation into genuine collaboration.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the 'competence trap' in municipal leadership
• How public scrutiny impacts team dynamics
• The hidden cost of maintaining professional facades
• Three key patterns limiting municipal team effectiveness

Implementation Examples

• Breaking down the "perfect department syndrome"
• Transforming "meeting after the meeting" culture
• Overcoming the "silo survival strategy"
• Building authentic team connections while maintaining professionalism

Special: Free 7-Day MLDC Trial Experience the complete Municipal Leadership Development Circle with full access to:

• All five "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" podcast episodes
• Daily deep-dive blog posts
• Friday's Virtual Book Club discussion
• Complete access to the MLDC online platform and app
• Nationwide community of municipal leaders
• Start your free trial today: JOIN NOW

Resources Mentioned

• Book: "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni
• Weekly Newsletter - The Leader's Lens (free subscription)
• Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC)

Connect With Seth

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