352: Tim Ellis: The Communities People Choose

352: Tim Ellis: The Communities People Choose

Tim Ellis: The Communities People ChooseWhy Quality of Life Is Your Greatest Economic Strategy *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 350 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies [https://tylertech.com/winter] What makes people choose one community over another? For Tim Ellis, the answer goes far beyond jobs, taxes, or housing. After four decades in local government—including 15 years as City Manager of Goodlettsville, Tennessee—he believes the communities that thrive are the ones that intentionally invest in quality of life. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Tim reflects on his remarkable 40-year career, from starting as a part-time parks employee to leading one of Tennessee's fastest-growing communities. Along the way, he shares why parks are more than amenities, how community identity shapes economic success, what it takes to lead through major redevelopment projects, and the lessons he's learned about perseverance, mentorship, and leaving an organization better than you found it. Whether you're a city manager, department director, elected official, or aspiring leader, this conversation is filled with practical insights on building communities people are proud to call home. About Tim EllisTim Ellis recently retired after 40 years of distinguished service in local government, including the past 15 years as City Manager of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Throughout his career, he helped lead transformative community projects, championed parks and quality-of-life initiatives, and guided Goodlettsville through significant growth and redevelopment. This Episode is Sponsored by: * Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter [https://tylertech.com/winter] * The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC [https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/] Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter] * Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com [https://www.haltingwinter.com/]

351: Book of the Week: Team of Rivals

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Team of RivalsEpisode 351 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> In 1860, Abraham Lincoln won the Republican nomination over three men who were more experienced, more connected, and more respected than he was...and then handed them the most powerful jobs in his administration. This week on The HaltingWinter Podcast, we're kicking off something special in the MLDC...our Special Summer Series, Stories That Shape Leaders, and we're starting with Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. It's a 750-page presidential biography and one of the most useful leadership books you'll find, even though it never mentions a city council or a budget hearing. Join the MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our monthly virtual mastermind sessions ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training for local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at https://HaltingWinter.com/MLDC [https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/] Resources Mentioned * Book: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin [https://amzn.to/4xSiMO7] Connect with Seth Winterhalter * LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter [http://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter] * Website: https://HaltingWinter.com [http://haltingwinter.com/]

350: Sabrina Cotta: The Best Leaders Don't Have All the Answers

Sabrina Cotta: The Best Leaders Don't Have All the AnswersWhy Better Solutions Start on the Frontline *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 350 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies [https://tylertech.com/winter] What if the best ideas in your organization aren't sitting in the executive office? In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Sabrina Cotta, City Manager of Ashland, Oregon, and President-Elect of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA), to discuss leadership, innovation, and why great organizations are built by empowering the people closest to the work. Sabrina shares her unique journey into local government from military intelligence and language training in the U.S. Army to county government, budgeting, strategic planning, and eventually city management. Along the way, she discovered a leadership truth that has shaped her approach to leading teams and organizations: the best leaders don't have all the answers, but they know how to create environments where better answers can emerge. The conversation explores the realities of local government leadership, the importance of strategic thinking, why innovation often starts on the frontlines, and how leaders can avoid becoming the bottleneck to progress. Whether you're a city manager, department director, supervisor, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical insights on building stronger teams, developing future leaders, and creating organizations that continuously improve. About Sabrina CottaSabrina Cotta serves as City Manager for the City of Ashland, Oregon. Throughout her career, she has served in military intelligence, state and county government, city government, budgeting, strategic planning, finance, human resources, and executive leadership roles. She currently serves as President-Elect of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) and is passionate about leadership development, organizational improvement, and strengthening the future of local government. This Episode is Sponsored by: * Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter [https://tylertech.com/winter] * The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC [https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/] Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter] * Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com [https://www.haltingwinter.com/]

349: Shaun Barnett: The Future Won't Build Itself

Shaun Barnett: The Future Won't Build ItselfWhy Communities Need Visionary Leadership *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 349 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies [https://tylertech.com/winter] What does it take to lead a community into the future while honoring the history that built it? In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Shaun Barnett, City Manager of Woodward, Oklahoma, to discuss his unlikely journey from mowing parks and serving in law enforcement to leading one of northwest Oklahoma's most important regional hub cities. Shaun shares how saying "yes" to opportunities, embracing lifelong learning, and investing in people opened doors he never expected. Along the way, he offers powerful insights on leadership, economic development, regional collaboration, succession planning, and why communities that fail to think beyond today's challenges risk falling behind tomorrow. The conversation explores the unique realities of leading a rural hub city that serves far more people than its population suggests, the importance of building strong partnerships across schools, healthcare, business, and government, and why great leaders focus as much on developing future leaders as they do on delivering results today. Whether you're a city manager, department director, elected official, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom on building thriving communities and creating a legacy that lasts beyond your tenure. About Shaun BarnettShaun Barnett serves as City Manager for the City of Woodward, Oklahoma. A lifelong resident of the community, Shaun's career has included service in parks and recreation, law enforcement, emergency communications, community development, and municipal administration. Throughout his leadership journey, he has remained committed to creating opportunities for future generations while helping Woodward continue to grow as a regional hub for northwest Oklahoma. This Episode is Sponsored by: * Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter [https://tylertech.com/winter] * The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC [https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/] Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter] * Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com [https://www.haltingwinter.com/]

348: Book of the Week: Multipliers

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – MultipliersEpisode 348 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> What if the biggest performance gap in your organization isn't a budget problem or a staffing problem, but a leadership problem? Specifically, yours? In this episode, Seth works through Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter [https://amzn.to/4ulKVKr] by Liz Wiseman, a book that draws a sharp line between leaders who amplify the intelligence around them and leaders who, often without realizing it, suppress it. The research is clear: Diminisher leaders access roughly half of their team's actual capability. Multipliers access nearly all of it. The difference isn't talent or intention. It's behavior. Seth unpacks why local government is a particularly fertile environment for accidental diminishing and what the five Multiplier disciplines look like when applied inside the real constraints of civil service systems, elected oversight, and public scrutiny. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC [https://haltingwinter.com/mldc/] Resources Mentioned * Book: Multipliers by Liz Wiseman [https://amzn.to/4ulKVKr] Connect with Seth Winterhalter * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter [http://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter] * Website: www.HaltingWinter.com [http://www.haltingwinter.com/]