#66 - Reflective Resonance and Authentic Leadership with Joseph Lujan

#66 - Reflective Resonance and Authentic Leadership with Joseph Lujan

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom is joined by Joseph Lujan, author of Reflective Resonance, A Quiet Spark Approach to Authentic Leadership, and creator of the CAMP OUT Method. Joseph shares his perspective on authentic leadership, generational change in the workplace, employee motivation, and the importance of leaders staying consistent, self aware, and emotionally present. The conversation explores how workplace culture has shifted since COVID, why autonomy and trust matter, and why leaders must be willing to reflect on their own influence before trying to improve the people around them. Joseph also discusses his background in county probation, federal probation, and leadership, explaining how working with people under supervision shaped his understanding of human behavior. He shares practical lessons about individualizing leadership, building trust, avoiding robotic communication, and helping employees feel seen, valued, and heard. The episode also breaks down Joseph’s CAMP OUT Method, which focuses on consistency, authenticity, mindfulness, purpose, optimizing leadership, upshifting, and transforming leadership practices. These concepts provide a practical framework for leaders who want to grow, strengthen their teams, and create healthier workplace cultures. Joseph’s final takeaway is simple but important. Leaders need to show up authentically and genuinely. Employees notice more than leaders sometimes realize, and the way leaders communicate, respond, and carry themselves can shape the culture around them. Resources Reflective Resonance Website https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/ [https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/] Reflective Resonance Worksheets https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/documents/ [https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/documents/] Reflective Resonance Book https://a.co/d/0fZNrEGQ [https://a.co/d/0fZNrEGQ] Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Reflective Resonance and Authentic Leadership 00:02:47 Workplace Culture After COVID 00:05:20 Autonomy, Trust, and Accountability 00:07:32 Employee Motivation and Finding Purpose 00:10:05 Joseph Lujan’s Leadership Journey 00:12:53 Emotional Intelligence and Human Behavior 00:15:12 Common Leadership Failures 00:17:43 The Story Behind Reflective Resonance 00:22:11 Consistency in Leadership 00:24:14 Authenticity and Effective Leadership 00:25:31 Mindfulness in Leadership Communication 00:28:54 Purposeful Leadership and the Why 00:31:09 Optimizing Leadership Through Reflection 00:33:35 Upshift and Transform 00:36:15 Continuous Growth and Feedback 00:39:21 Final Takeaway, Showing Up Authentically Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities [https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities] LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro [https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro]

#65 - City Manager | Los Fresnos, TX PositionCast™

Mayor Alejandro Flores from Los Fresnos, Texas joins The Clear Voice for a PositionCast™ [https://clearcareerpro.com/positioncast] focused on the City Manager opportunity there. Los Fresnos is a growing South Texas community with strong local identity, respected schools, regional access, and major opportunities ahead. In this episode, Mayor Flores discusses his connection to the community, the City Council’s priorities, the organization, and the type of leader who can be successful in the role. The conversation highlights responsible growth, infrastructure planning, budget management, communication with council, staff relationships, community involvement, and the importance of preserving the close community feel that makes Los Fresnos special. Kent Myers, the recruiter for this search, also provides context for candidates. He discusses the stability of the organization, the strength of the existing staff team, the long tenure of the outgoing city manager, and the opportunity for the next City Manager to help guide the city through meaningful growth. This PositionCast™ is designed to help prospective candidates better understand the community, the organization, the role, the City Council’s expectations, and the leadership fit needed in Los Fresnos. This role can be found at https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/los-fresnos-city-manager-posting [https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/los-fresnos-city-manager-posting] Chapters 00:00:00 Cold Open: Why Candidates Should Look at Los Fresnos 00:00:36 Introduction to the City Manager PositionCast 00:02:07 Mayor Alejandro Flores and His Connection to Los Fresnos 00:04:56 Leadership, Stewardship, and Council Priorities 00:08:34 Communication, Onboarding, and Early Expectations 00:10:27 City Services, Staff Leadership, and Organizational Culture 00:13:02 Community Growth, Schools, and Falcon Pride 00:18:11 Local Events, Culture, and Quality of Life 00:20:40 South Padre Island, Outdoor Life, and Regional Access 00:23:35 Infrastructure, Development, and Budget Priorities 00:26:32 Ideal Candidate Qualities and Leadership Fit 00:28:17 Kent Myers on Why This Opportunity Stands Out 00:34:28 Application Process, Candidate Communication, and Closing Thoughts Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities [https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities] LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro [https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro]

#64 - From Chief to City Hall | Jim Devlin on Leadership

Jim Devlin joins James Groom for Part 1 of a 2 part conversation on leadership, accountability, culture, and the move from Police Chief to City Hall. Jim serves as Assistant City Manager for the City of Hewitt, Texas, after nearly three decades in law enforcement, including more than a decade as Chief of Police. In this episode, he discusses dynamic leadership, correcting people without tearing them down, building trust inside an organization, and why culture matters in public service. The conversation also covers Jim’s decision to move to Hewitt, the challenge of helping reshape an organization, the value of community connection, and how police leadership can prepare someone for broader municipal leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jim Devlin 02:39 Dynamic leadership in law enforcement 07:00 Accountability and relationships 10:20 Correcting people without tearing them down 16:55 Taking on the challenge in Hewitt 23:04 Building community trust 26:10 Succession planning and leadership development 29:04 Culture fit in recruitment 32:02 Problem solving in local government 35:33 Moving from police chief to city hall 40:51 Part 2 Coming Soon Announcement Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities [https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities] LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro [https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro]

#63 - City Administrator Recruitment | Caldwell, Texas PositionCast™

The City of Caldwell, Texas is searching for its next City Administrator, and this PositionCast™ episode gives candidates a deeper look at the community, the organization, and the leadership expectations behind the role. James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice and Retired Chief of Police, is joined by Brad Stafford of Clear Career Professionals, outgoing Mayor Janice Easter, and incoming Mayor John Rychlik for a conversation about Caldwell’s future. The discussion covers Caldwell’s small town identity, growth pressures, downtown opportunity, infrastructure priorities, full service city operations, community partnerships, and the type of leader who can build trust with staff, council, residents, and regional partners. Caldwell is described as a close knit Texas community with strong civic pride, a growing local economy, a historic downtown, major community events, strong parks and recreation assets, and a council focused on responsible growth. The next City Administrator will enter an organization with meaningful opportunities in communication, modernization, infrastructure planning, economic development, and community engagement. This episode is especially useful for candidates who want to understand not just the job description, but the people, expectations, and leadership environment behind the opportunity. For more information about this role by check the job posting: https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/caldwell-city-administrator-posting Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities [https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities] LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro [https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro]

#62 - TMRS Human Resources Director PositionCast™

In this PositionCast™ episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom and Michael Boese talk with Debbie Munoz, Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, about the Human Resources Director opportunity at TMRS. Debbie explains TMRS’ mission to provide secure lifetime income to members across 946 participating Texas cities, the organization’s statewide impact, and the culture that makes TMRS a meaningful place to work. The conversation covers the role of the next HR Director, including employee engagement, HR modernization, succession planning, learning management, leadership development, and the need for an authentic, people centered leader. The episode also highlights TMRS’ Austin location, compensation and benefits, TMRS retirement participation, the Clear Career Professionals recruitment process, and why this role offers a unique opportunity to support the people who serve public servants across Texas. More Information: For more information about the TMRS Human Resources Director position, including job details and application materials, visit: https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/tmrs-human-resources-director-posting [https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/tmrs-human-resources-director-posting] Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to TMRS and the Human Resources Director recruitment 00:03:21 Understanding TMRS, mission, structure, and statewide service 00:06:45 What makes TMRS unique for cities and members 00:11:47 TMRS funding, stability, and fiduciary responsibility 00:14:51 TMRS culture and employee engagement 00:19:14 The HR Director role, reporting structure, and team size 00:22:14 Rebranding HR and building employee trust 00:24:21 Modernizing HR systems, knowledge transfer, and AI 00:25:52 Training, continuing education, and learning management 00:26:16 Candidate traits, communication, and leadership presence 00:27:17 Why city HR leaders should consider TMRS 00:29:33 Measuring success for the next HR Director 00:32:25 Why this opportunity stands out 00:33:32 TMRS office location and working in Austin 00:34:55 Living in Austin and the community environment 00:37:33 Compensation, benefits, and TMRS retirement participation 00:40:06 The Clear Career Professionals recruitment process 00:41:37 Upcoming TMRS Governmental Relations Director recruitment 00:42:24 Sneak peek at the Governmental Relations Director role 00:45:29 Final message for candidates considering TMRS 00:47:12 Closing and how to learn more Connect With Clear Career Professionals Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership. Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.  Career Opportunities https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities [https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities] LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro [https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro]