Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
Every week, you’ll get insights and actionable steps to help you navigate personal growth and professional success.
If you’ve ever sat in your office as a city/county manager, department director, or public sector leader and thought:
You’re not alone.
And you’re not broken.
You’re likely navigating what we’re calling the confidence gap and this week inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), we’re tackling it head-on.
This week, we’re diving into The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, a research-backed exploration of what confidence really is, where it comes from, and how you can build it.
Local government is full of high-pressure dynamics:
→ Political tension
→ Public scrutiny
→ Complex decisions with no perfect outcomes
→ Teams looking to you for certainty while you wrestle with doubt
It’s easy to assume confidence is something you either have or don’t. But the truth is, confidence is built through repeated action, intentional mindset shifts, and the courage to lead even when you’re unsure.
And that’s what we’re diving into this week in the MLDC.
1. The Confidence Paradox
Many of the most capable municipal leaders are also the most hesitant. We’ll look at how perfectionism, risk aversion, and pressure to “get it right” are quietly robbing city leaders of boldness—and what to do about it.
2. Escaping the Overthinking Trap
You don’t need more information. You need more trust—in your training, your team, and your judgment. We’ll share how overthinking poses as preparation but often functions as avoidance.
3. Confidence Culture Starts With You
Whether you realize it or not, your confidence (or hesitation) sets the tone for your staff. We’ll talk about how modeled courage builds psychological safety and initiative in your departments.
4. Progress Over Perfection
Perfectionism slows everything down. We’ll show how shifting to “purposeful action” frees you and your team to move forward even when conditions aren’t ideal.
5. Building Confidence from the Inside Out
This isn’t about bravado. It’s about grounded self-trust built through clarity, alignment, and repetition. You’ll leave with practical habits to grow your confidence long after this week is done.
Our communities and citizens need leaders who are clear, courageous, and consistent. And that begins with confidence, not in the loud, performative sense, but the deep internal steadiness that others can count on.
Whether you’re new to city leadership or have decades of experience, The Confidence Code will help you strengthen what’s already inside you.
If you’ve been thinking about joining the MLDC, this is the moment.
We just launched a Summer Special that gives you full access through the end of 2025.
Every week includes:
Secure your Seat today at HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a professional growth community exclusively for city managers, administrators, and municipal executives. Each week, we explore insights from transformative books and apply them specifically to the unique challenges of municipal leadership. Join Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solution, and leaders from around the nation to build stronger cities through stronger leaders. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com.
