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Chris Mann

#50 in Government this week

The Most Watched Local Government Podcast in America

Hosted by City Manager Chris Mann, Gov360 brings together the leaders, ideas, and candid conversations shaping the future of local government.

Each episode goes beyond policy and headlines to explore the real experience of public leadership, including organizational culture, politics, innovation, technology, career development, community conflict, burnout, resilience, and the challenges facing the profession.

Gov360 features conversations with city managers, public executives, elected officials, innovators, and other leaders who offer real-world perspectives and practical insights for those committed to stronger communities and better local government.

Whether you're a city manager, rising administrator, elected official, or other local government professional, Gov360 provides the ideas, perspective, and leadership insight to help you lead with greater impact.

Stay informed. Stay inspired. Lead boldly.

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  • #34
    Tuesday · 48 min

    Can ICMA Membership Threaten Your Career? | Ep.32

    Can membership in a professional association actually threaten your career? City Manager Chris Mann believes the answer is yes. And he knows firsthand how painful the consequences can be. For nearly a century, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has helped shape the profession of local government management. Through its commitment to ethical leadership, professional development, and the council-manager form of government, ICMA has made an extraordinary contribution to public service. It provides education, mentorship, professional connections, and invaluable support to city managers navigating one of the most demanding jobs in government. But what happens when the organization dedicated to supporting the profession becomes a source of professional vulnerability itself? In Episode 32 of Gov360, Chris tackles a difficult and deeply personal subject: whether ICMA's Code of Ethics and its enforcement practices need meaningful reform to better reflect the realities of modern city management. Today's city managers face an increasingly hostile political environment. Social media amplifies criticism and misinformation. Political conflicts become personal. Careers can unravel overnight. And the pressures of public leadership increasingly follow managers home, affecting their families, their well-being, and their futures. Yet some of the professional rules governing city managers seem disconnected from those realities. Chris shares his own painful experience facing an ICMA ethics investigation during the darkest period of his professional career, when he was already struggling under relentless public attacks and political opposition. He also examines the case of James Freed, the former Michigan city manager who challenged ICMA in court after being publicly censured and losing his professional credential. The case ended in a settlement, with ICMA removing the public censure from its website. Beyond ethics enforcement, Chris questions whether restrictions on entrepreneurship, commercial endorsements, political participation, outside elected service, and minimum tenure expectations have become unnecessarily restrictive. And he asks a larger question: Is ICMA doing enough to protect professional local government management itself? This isn't an attack on ICMA or an argument for weakening ethical standards. It's a call to strengthen an organization Chris deeply respects by making its rules clearer, its enforcement processes fairer, and its approach more responsive to the changing realities of the profession. Because city managers aren't just professionals. They're human beings. They have families, ambitions, personal interests, and lives outside city hall. And sometimes, the very people who have devoted their lives to public service need their professional association to stand beside them, not become another source of fear and uncertainty. Protecting the profession must mean more than policing the professionals. It's time for ICMA to build a bigger tent. ▶️ Watch Gov360 Episode 32 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bXReiNd2EQk CHAPTERS: 00:00 Can ICMA Membership Threaten Your Career? 00:43 Welcome to Gov360 and Our Sponsor 02:18 Why I'm Questioning the ICMA Code of Ethics 04:51 Why I'm No Longer an ICMA Member 06:48 The Value of ICMA to the Profession 09:08 ICMA's Ethical Tenets vs. Its Guidelines 10:01 Commercial Endorsements and Testimonials 12:34 City Managers as Entrepreneurs 14:55 Political Neutrality and Outside Elected Office 17:04 ICMA Censure and Professional Consequences 18:40 When Ethics Enforcement Becomes a Weapon 18:58 James Freed's Legal Battle with ICMA 23:46 My Personal Experience with an ICMA Ethics Complaint 27:58 The Two-Year Tenure Rule 32:12 How ASPA and Other Professions Approach Ethics 35:30 Is ICMA Doing Enough to Protect the Profession? 38:10 Why ICMA Leadership Declined My Podcast Invitations 41:28 ICMA Needs a Bigger Tent 44:00 The Reforms I'd Like to See 47:04 Join the Conversation JOIN THE GOV360 COMMUNITY Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. Connect with local government professionals through live conversations, leadership resources, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 GOV360 PARTNER: JACOB GREEN & ASSOCIATES Gov360 is proud to partner with Jacob Green & Associates. JGA helps local governments strengthen organizations, develop leaders, and navigate complex challenges. 🏛️ https://www.jacobgreenandassociates.com JAMES FREED v. ICMA — ADDITIONAL RESOURCES For viewers interested in examining the James Freed case, the following resources provide court documents, statements from the parties, and detailed reporting. ⚖️ Court Records — Freed v. ICMA: https://dockets.justia.com/docket/michigan/miedce/4%3A2023cv12365/372393 📄 ICMA Statements, Court Filings & James Freed's Response: https://www.citymanagerunfiltered.com/e/james-freed-and-the-icma-issue-multiple-public-statements-about-lawsuit-ep-71/ 📰 September 2024 Settlement Announcement: https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/2024/09/20/james-freeds-defamation-lawsuit-against-icma-resolved/75309654007/ 🎙️ James Freed: Life After the ICMA Lawsuit — City Manager Unfiltered: https://www.citymanagerunfiltered.com/e/james-freed-life-after-victory-over-icma-ep-92/ LINKS & RESOURCES ICMA Code of Ethics: https://icma.org/page/icma-code-ethics American Society for Public Administration: https://www.aspanet.org 📬 The Gov360 Briefing: https://gov360briefing.beehiiv.com 👉 Gov360 Web Page: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Chris Mann's Website: https://www.chrismann.us #LocalGovernment #CityManager #ICMA #GovernmentEthics #CityManagement #Leadership #Gov360

  • #33
    October 13 · 1 hr 21 min

    When It's Time to Walk Away | Kevin Lahner | Ep.31

    After 25 years in local government, veteran city manager Kevin Lahner made a decision he never expected to make. He walked away. Why? Because the profession he loved was beginning to change who he was. Among his peers, Kevin was a respected leader and mentor. But in the community he served, he increasingly faced accusations of incompetence and dishonesty. For someone whose identity was built around integrity and public service, those accusations cut deeply. The criticism was relentless. Public meetings. Social media. Emails. Personal attacks. Eventually, the stress followed him home. In Episode 31 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with former Janesville, Wisconsin City Manager Kevin Lahner for a deeply personal conversation about the emotional toll of public leadership, the changing political environment, and one of the hardest questions any leader can confront: When is it time to walk away? Kevin's career began almost by accident. A former journalist, he entered local government in Texas and became interim city manager of Keller at just 26. Over the next two decades, he built a career developing people, strengthening organizations, and solving complex community problems. But his final years in city management were different. In Janesville, a controversial proposal to redevelop the former General Motors assembly plant into a data center became a flashpoint for community opposition. Political tensions escalated, and Kevin found himself the target of increasingly personal attacks. His integrity was questioned, and efforts to respond with facts seemed unable to change the narrative. Kevin describes becoming less patient with his children, struggling to remain present with his family, and carrying stress he didn't fully recognize until he resigned. When he made that decision, he says he literally felt 20 pounds lighter. Chris and Kevin explore why competence alone may no longer be enough for local government leaders, how social media and declining public trust have changed the profession, and why the city manager's office can be an incredibly lonely place. They discuss the importance of professional support networks, vulnerability, executive coaching, and recognizing when the personal cost of leadership becomes too great. Kevin also reflects on transitioning into the private sector, the parts of city management he still misses, and the unexpected freedom of continuing to serve communities without carrying the weight of the city manager's chair. For public servants facing difficult times, this conversation offers an important reminder: leadership requires more than resilience and perseverance. It also requires the wisdom to recognize when staying is costing too much. Because sometimes the hardest leadership decision isn't deciding to stay and fight. It's knowing when to walk away. ⸻ 📺 Watch Gov360 Episode 31 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7tT6o1h2f_I ⸻ JOIN THE GOV360 COMMUNITY Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. Connect with local government professionals through live conversations, leadership resources, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 ⸻ GOV360 PARTNER: JACOB GREEN & ASSOCIATES Gov360 welcomes Jacob Green & Associates as our first official sponsor. JGA helps local governments strengthen organizations, develop leaders, and navigate complex challenges. 🏛️ https://www.jacobgreenandassociates.com ⸻ CHAPTERS 0:00 Cold Open: When Is Enough, Enough? 0:50 Introduction: The Personal Cost of Public Service 1:46 Gov360's First Sponsor: Jacob Green & Associates 4:06 Meet Kevin Lahner: 25 Years in Local Government 5:51 An Unlikely Journey into City Management 10:27 Becoming a City Manager at 26 14:15 What Makes Public Service Worthwhile? 16:50 Respected by Peers, Attacked by the Community 21:34 Why Competence Is No Longer Enough 26:42 What Went Wrong in Janesville? 30:22 The Data Center Controversy 36:50 When Criticism Becomes Personal 43:56 The Hidden Toll on Leaders and Their Families 47:46 The Loneliness of Leadership 53:08 Knowing When It's Time to Walk Away 58:43 Life After City Management 1:06:37 Advice for Leaders Who Are Struggling 1:10:34 Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Leadership 1:13:40 When Is Walking Away the Right Decision? 1:17:23 Protecting Yourself: Contracts and Financial Security ⸻ LINKS & RESOURCES 📬 The Gov360 Briefing: https://gov360briefing.beehiiv.com 👉 Gov360 Web Page: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Chris Mann's Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ #LocalGovernment #CityManager #GovernmentLeadership #PublicService #CityManagement #Leadership #Gov360

  • #32
    September 22 · 1 hr 20 min

    Is Government Really as Broken as It Looks? | David Martin | Ep.30

    Most people hear about government when something has gone wrong. A scandal. A failure. A meeting that explodes. An official who betrays the public trust. Those stories matter. Journalism is supposed to expose failure and hold power accountable. But planes landing safely don't make the news. Neither do the thousands of public servants who quietly solve problems, deliver services, and keep communities functioning every day. So if failure is the story we keep seeing, is government really as broken as it looks? In Episode 30 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with veteran journalist David Martin, host of The Good Government Show, for a wide-ranging conversation about government, journalism, public trust, civic engagement, and the people behind public service. David spent more than two decades in television news, including time with CBS News and Fox News. His career took him from presidential campaigns and mayoral politics to organized crime, major criminal trials, 9/11, and Afghanistan. Then he began looking at government through a very different lens: asking what government looks like when it actually works. After nearly 200 conversations with elected officials, administrators, and public servants, David says the biggest surprise has been discovering how many remarkable stories inside government simply never make the news. Those experiences have changed the way David sees the stereotypical government employee and reinforced his belief that, for the most part, government is working and people inside it are trying to do the right thing. The conversation ultimately comes back to something more fundamental: an informed public requires people willing to do the work of being informed. David's message is simple: show up. Read local news. Attend a council meeting before you're angry about something. Learn how your government actually works. Get involved. Because democracy works better when the people participating in it understand what their government is actually doing. ⸻ 📺 Watch Gov360 Episode 30 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4OMKEXuFQgM ⸻ Join the Gov360 Community Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. The Gov360 Community is a professional home for local government leaders who want to continue the conversations started on the podcast. Members connect through live conversations, leadership resources, behind-the-scenes content, and meaningful relationships with professionals who understand the unique challenges and rewards of public service. 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 ⸻ Chapters 0:00 Is Government Really as Broken as It Looks? 1:06 Welcome to Gov360 2:53 Government and Journalism 4:38 David Martin’s Journey as a Journalist 10:55 What Do Journalists Look for at City Hall? 13:46 Why Local TV Focuses on Crisis 16:21 Looking at Government From the Other Side 17:25 Why David Created The Good Government Show 19:25 Why Negative Government Stories Dominate the News 20:32 How Accurate Is the Public’s Picture of Government? 22:01 Social Media, Misinformation and the Decline of Local News 26:10 What Happened to Local Journalism? 28:32 Telling the Stories of Good Government 31:17 Why Government Is Bad at Telling Its Own Story 35:24 What David Has Learned From 200 Conversations 40:46 What Does “Good Government” Actually Mean? 47:03 Why Local Leaders Serve 53:29 Has David’s View of Government Employees Changed? 55:25 Emotion, Ego and Entitlement 57:30 Can We Restore Civility to Public Discourse? 1:00:18 Serving Everyone, Not Just the People Who Voted for You 1:03:56 The Origin of The Good Government Show 1:07:44 The Stories David Never Expected to Find 1:13:25 Inspiring the Next Generation of Public Servants 1:15:45 What Americans Need to Understand About Government 1:18:10 Final Thoughts: Most of Government Is Just People ⸻ Links & Resources 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 📬 Subscribe to The Gov360 Briefing, the free Gov360 email newsletter: https://gov360briefing.beehiiv.com/ 🏛️ The Good Government Institute & Show: https://www.goodgovinstitute.org 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa?si=cbef8a7c7e2b4719 💻 Visit Chris Mann's Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ #LocalGovernment #CityManager #PublicAdministration #GovernmentLeadership #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #Journalism #GovernmentCommunications #GoodGovernment #CityManagement #Gov360 #Gov360Community

  • #31
    August 18 · 35 min

    Gov360: Episode 29 - A New Hope

    Local government has been through a difficult season. Political polarization. Social media attacks. Burnout. Public distrust. Workforce challenges. Talented professionals questioning whether the personal cost of public service is still worth it. Those challenges are real. But they are not the whole story. There are reasons to believe something better is taking shape. In Episode 29 of Gov360, “A New Hope,” City Manager Chris Mann takes a different look at the state of local government and makes the case for optimism about where the profession is headed. A new generation of public servants is bringing fresh ideas and challenging old assumptions. Local governments are learning how to use social media to communicate more authentically and rebuild trust. Artificial intelligence is creating opportunities to eliminate administrative work and give leaders more time for the human side of leadership. And perhaps most importantly, the profession is finally having honest conversations about burnout, loneliness, resilience, and the personal cost of public service. None of that means the challenges have disappeared. Hope isn't pretending everything is fine. It is recognizing the problems in front of us while believing something better is still possible, and then doing something to help build it. Because the future of local government isn't something that simply happens to us. We get to help shape it. This episode explores: ✅ Why the challenges facing local government don't necessarily mean the profession is in decline ✅ How a new generation of public servants could reshape local government for the better ✅ Why younger professionals are right to question some long-standing assumptions about public-sector careers ✅ How social media could evolve from one of government's greatest challenges into a tool for rebuilding public trust ✅ Why government needs to tell its own story before someone else tells it for us ✅ How AI could make government more efficient, and leadership more human ✅ Why openly discussing burnout, loneliness, and the emotional toll of leadership is actually a sign of progress ✅ The resilience of public servants who endure difficult seasons and keep moving forward ✅ Why a bad chapter, a bad council, or a bad organization doesn't have to define an entire career ✅ Five practical things struggling local government professionals can do right now ✅ Why experienced leaders have a responsibility to mentor the next generation ✅ Why the future of local government will be built one leader, one organization, and one decision at a time 📺 Watch Episode 29 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/56KvatC64Zo ⸻ Join the Gov360 Community Leadership doesn't have to be lonely. The Gov360 Community is a professional home for local government leaders who want to continue the conversations started on the podcast. Members connect through live conversations, leadership resources, Commute with Chris, behind-the-scenes content, and meaningful relationships with professionals who understand the unique challenges and rewards of public service. 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 ⸻ Chapters 0:00 The Challenges Facing Local Government 2:02 Welcome to Gov360 4:59 Is Local Government Really in Decline? 6:30 A New Generation of Public Servants 10:53 Is Local Government Finally Figuring Out Social Media? 15:16 Why AI Gives Me Hope 18:38 We’ve Finally Started Talking About the Problems 21:57 The Biggest Reason I Have Hope 24:22 What If You Don’t Feel Hopeful Right Now? 25:53 Five Things You Can Control 28:31 Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Fix the Profession 30:05 Why I Called This Episode “A New Hope” 32:20 Good People Keep Showing Up 33:34 Final Thoughts and How to Support Gov360 35:20 Local Government Has Found A New Hope ⸻ Links & Resources 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Gov360 📬 Subscribe to The Gov360 Briefing, the free Gov360 email newsletter: https://gov360briefing.beehiiv.com/ 💻 CiviSocial - Social Media Strategy for Local Government: https://civisocial.com/ 📖 The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers: https://a.co/d/070jQXRe 📺 Gov360 Episodes 3 & 10 re: Social Media for Local Government: Ep.3: https://youtu.be/5MgughL1LuA?is=rp0lKFULYzRn5ssZ Ep.10: https://youtu.be/sJ_NEN7wYr0?is=-_zisW7IpfkfWc6J 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.gov360podcast.com 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ #LocalGovernment #CityManager #PublicAdministration #GovernmentLeadership #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #Leadership #CityManagement #Gov360 #Gov360Community

  • #30
    July 28 · 48 min

    Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart...And Why We Keep Coming Back | Ep.28

    Local government can break your heart. Not because the work lacks meaning, but because it matters so deeply. The people who choose careers in public service often carry enormous responsibility for their communities, organizations, employees, and democratic institutions. They celebrate victories that may never be noticed, absorb criticism few people fully understand, and confront problems that may never be completely solved. And yet, they keep coming back. In Episode 28 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with former San Rafael City Manager Jim Schutz to explore the emotional realities of local government leadership through one of the profession’s most unexpected lenses: poetry. Jim’s book, The Mayor Has a Hammer, is a collection of poems inspired by more than thirty years in local government. But this conversation is about far more than poetry. It is about the people behind the budgets, ordinances, council meetings, infrastructure projects, and public controversies. It is about why the work hurts...and why it remains worth doing. This episode explores: ✅ Why local government leaders struggle to acknowledge the emotional toll of the profession ✅ The three “lions” every city manager must care for: the council, staff, and community ✅ Why council chambers can feel like sacred spaces for democracy ✅ The cumulative effect of crises, criticism, polarization, and constant public scrutiny ✅ Why admitting that leadership hurts can feel like admitting weakness ✅ The complicated truth behind “Run the city like a business” ✅ What separates exceptional elected officials from ineffective ones ✅ Why city managers must intentionally build joy into their careers ✅ How retirement can challenge a public servant’s identity ✅ Why local government breaks your heart, and why we keep coming back 📺 Watch Episode 28 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e865oDBGHok ⸻ Join the Gov360 Community The Gov360 Community is a professional home for local government leaders who want to continue the conversations started on the podcast. Members connect through live leadership discussions, masterclasses, recommended reading, practical resources, behind-the-scenes conversations, and meaningful relationships with professionals across the country. 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Gov360 ⸻ Chapters 0:00 Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart 1:02 Welcome to Gov360 1:11 Introducing the Gov360 Community 1:50 Commute with Chris 2:21 Meet Jim Schutz 3:44 Why Poetry? 5:13 The Emotional Reality of Local Government 6:17 Love Poems to the Profession 7:49 City Council Chambers 9:18 The Council Chamber as a Sacred Space 10:19 The Danger of Cynicism 12:18 Pride of Lions 14:45 The Three Lions of City Management 17:57 Do City Managers Give Too Much of Themselves? 18:50 City Manager Gulliver 20:44 When the Profession Becomes Overwhelming 21:08 Revealing the Human Side of Government 22:37 The Cumulative Weight of Public Service 23:57 Why Leaders Struggle to Admit the Job Hurts 25:19 Vulnerability in Local Government Leadership 25:51 A Generational Shift in Leadership 26:58 Getting Off the Island 27:31 Life After the City Manager’s Office 30:16 Run the City Like a Business 31:45 Why the Phrase Resonates—and Frustrates 34:40 Don’t Run for City Council 36:12 Who Should Run for Office? 36:34 What Makes an Exceptional Council Member? 41:00 Advice for the Next Generation 41:51 Would Jim Do It Again? 42:08 Finding Joy in the Work 44:33 Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart 46:09 Why We Keep Coming Back 46:52 Final Thoughts 47:29 The Mayor Has a Hammer 47:37 Join the Gov360 Community 48:04 Govern Boldly ⸻ Links & Resources 👉 Join the Gov360 Community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Gov360 📖 The Mayor Has a Hammer by Jim Schutz Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mayor-Has-Hammer-James-Schutz/dp/1421835797 Jim's Website: http://www.localgovernmentpoetry.com/ 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📬 Subscribe to the Free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ #LocalGovernment #CityManager #PublicAdministration #GovernmentLeadership #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #Leadership #CityManagement #Gov360 #Gov360Community #JimSchutz

  • #29
    July 14 · 27 min

    Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely | Introducing the Gov360 Community | Ep.27

    Leadership can be incredibly lonely. Not because leaders are isolated. But because responsibility often can’t be shared. What if the conversation didn’t have to end when the podcast ended? Over the past year, Gov360 has brought together city managers, elected officials, consultants, authors, and other respected leaders from across the local government profession. Every episode ended the same way: the cameras stopped rolling…and the conversation became even more honest. That’s when people shared the decisions that still weighed on them years later. The difficult council relationships. The personnel issues. The mistakes that shaped them. The moments they questioned whether they could continue in the profession. In Episode 27 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann shares the three biggest lessons he learned from the first twenty-six episodes and explains why they convinced him that the profession doesn’t simply need more information. It needs more community. This episode explores: ✅ Why leadership can be far lonelier than most people realize ✅ The biggest lessons learned from interviewing local government leaders ✅ Why great professions are built on community, not just conferences ✅ The conversations that happen after the microphones are turned off ✅ How Gov360 has evolved from a podcast into something much bigger ✅ The vision behind the new Gov360 Community ✅ Why the future of leadership is built on connection Along the way, Chris shares several personal stories that reshaped his own approach to leadership, including decisions that still stay with him today and the experiences that nearly drove him out of the profession. This is the most personal Gov360 episode recorded thus far. More than anything, this episode is an invitation. An invitation to continue the conversation. 🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/XwWRFw_LeS8 ⸻ Introducing the Gov360 Community Early access to the Gov360 Community is now open. The Gov360 Community is a professional home for local government leaders who want to continue the conversations started on the podcast through leadership discussions, live events, AI resources, recommended reading, practical leadership tools, and meaningful connections with professionals across the country. 👉 Join the Gov360 Community (early access is available now for viewers of Ep.27): https://www.patreon.com/cw/Gov360/membership 📅 Join us Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. Pacific for a special LIVE Gov360 event on YouTube, where we’ll officially kick off the Gov360 Community, discuss the future of local government leadership, give everyone a live tour of the community, and answer your questions. ⸻ Chapters 0:00 Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely 2:07 Welcome to Gov360 3:50 Lesson One: Leadership Is About People 6:09 A Leadership Decision That Still Haunts Me 8:26 Lesson Two: Leadership Can Be Lonely 10:16 Why Responsibility Often Can’t Be Shared 12:24 Lesson Three: Great Professions Are Built on Community 14:28 The Podcast Wasn’t the Destination 15:23 The Story That Changed Everything 17:19 Local Government Has a Connection Problem 19:28 Introducing the Gov360 Community 19:44 Gov360 Live Kickoff Event 20:09 Early Access Now Open 20:31 What the Gov360 Community Will Become 21:41 A Professional Home, Not a Membership Site 22:58 Why Local Government Still Matters 23:01 The Profession Almost Broke Me 25:07 None of Us Gets Through This Alone 25:51 Building a Stronger Profession 26:15 Final Thoughts and Subscribe ⸻ Links & Resources 👉 Join the Gov360 Community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Gov360 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📬 Subscribe to the Free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ About Gov360 Gov360 is your full-circle view on local government leadership. Each episode explores the challenges, opportunities, and leadership lessons shaping cities and counties across America through conversations with city managers, elected officials, consultants, attorneys, public safety leaders, and other respected voices in the profession. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, Gov360 exists to help you lead with greater confidence, greater wisdom, and greater impact. #LocalGovernment #CityManager #PublicAdministration #GovernmentLeadership #Leadership #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #Gov360 #Gov360Community #Patreon

  • #28
    June 23 · 37 min

    The End of Loyalty | Ep.26

    Employees are changing jobs faster than ever. Organizations are experiencing constant turnover. City manager tenure continues to shrink. Political environments are increasingly volatile. Public expectations continue to rise. And leaders everywhere seem to be asking the same question: What happened to loyalty? In Episode 26 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann explores why that may actually be the wrong question. This episode delves into an examination of how leadership has changed, why incentives matter more than most leaders realize, and how understanding human behavior can dramatically improve your effectiveness as a leader. For generations, organizations operated under an unwritten social contract. Employees provided loyalty. Organizations provided stability. Long-term relationships were rewarded. Institutional knowledge accumulated. Trust developed over time. Today, the environment looks very different. Career mobility has become normal. Political pressure moves at the speed of social media. Public expectations evolve rapidly. Information travels instantly. And the incentives that drive behavior have fundamentally changed. In this episode, Chris examines one of the most important leadership lessons he has learned during his career: People generally act in what they perceive to be their own self-interest. Understanding that reality isn’t cynical. It’s enlightening. Because once leaders stop asking, “Why are they doing this to me?” and start asking, “What problem are they trying to solve for themselves?” people become far less confusing, conflict becomes more manageable, and leadership becomes far more strategic. This episode explores: ✅ Why loyalty looks different than it did a generation ago ✅ How changing incentives have reshaped local government leadership ✅ Why city manager tenure continues to shrink ✅ The impact of social media, political pressure, and public expectations ✅ How understanding incentives can help leaders navigate conflict more effectively ✅ Why leadership is ultimately about creating alignment, not demanding loyalty ✅ Practical strategies for building trust, influence, and organizational resilience Chris also shares a personal leadership story that helped reshape his understanding of incentives, decision-making, and human behavior. At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about demanding loyalty. It’s about creating the conditions where people willingly choose to move in the same direction. 🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/8Pv5Yc2iiak Chapters: 0:00 What Happened to Loyalty? 1:22 Welcome to Gov360 3:18 When Loyalty Was the Norm 5:02 The Incentives Changed 7:28 City Manager Tenure and Leadership Instability 9:25 The Council-Manager Model in an Age of Immediacy 12:20 The Leadership Lesson That Changed Everything 14:22 A Personal Story About Incentives 17:49 Look at the Incentives 18:13 The Question That Changes Everything 21:10 Mapping Incentives Before Taking Action 21:57 Positions vs. Interests 22:44 Never Assume Alignment 23:32 Leadership Is About Alignment, Not Loyalty 25:53 Building Alignment Around Shared Interests 27:05 People Are Going to Leave 28:28 Practical Strategies for Leaders 29:27 Invest in Relationships Before You Need Them 30:14 Communicate Relentlessly 30:55 Build Systems, Not Heroes 31:42 Trust Is the Most Valuable Currency 32:20 The Future of Leadership 34:08 Gov360 Community on Patreon 35:19 Is Loyalty Dead? 36:41 Final Thoughts and Subscribe Links & Resources 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 📬 Subscribe to the Free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. #LocalGovernment #CityManager #PublicAdministration #GovernmentLeadership #Leadership #MunicipalLeadership #PublicService #Gov360

  • #27
    June 9 · 1 hr 5 min

    Different Systems, Same Problems: Local Government Across the Pond | Ep.25

    Before we talk about the differences between American and British local government… It may be more important to talk about the similarities. Different governmental structures. Different political systems. Different laws. Different traditions. But remarkably similar challenges. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann is joined by Lewis Anderson, a local government practitioner from the United Kingdom whose career spans roles as Clerk, Responsible Financial Officer (RFO), Councillor, Internal Auditor, consultant, governance advisor, and trainer. Lewis entered local government at just 18 years old and has spent his career working across parish councils and local authorities throughout England. Together, Chris and Lewis explore what local government looks like on the other side of the Atlantic and discover that many of the pressures facing public servants today are universal. They discuss: • How local government is structured in the United Kingdom • The role of parish councils, district councils, county councils, and unitary authorities • What a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer actually does • Why some British local governments operate with only one or two employees • Political neutrality and professionalism in public administration • The growing impact of social media on public discourse • Public trust, transparency, and rising citizen expectations • Why public service is becoming emotionally more difficult • The similarities between city managers and clerks despite very different governmental structures • Artificial intelligence and the future of local government operations • Leadership lessons that apply regardless of country, title, or governmental structure The conversation also explores Lewis’s work helping local governments navigate emerging technology and his efforts to support clerks and public servants across both the United Kingdom and the United States. But ultimately, this episode is about something bigger. It is about the human experience of public service. The reality that local government professionals around the world are facing many of the same challenges. Political polarization. Declining trust. Resource constraints. Burnout. Public scrutiny. And the growing pressure to do more with less. Despite oceans, borders, and entirely different governmental systems, public servants everywhere are wrestling with many of the same questions about leadership, professionalism, resilience, and the future of governance. Because while the structures may be different… The mission remains the same. Serving communities. Building trust. Solving problems. And helping local government work. 🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/GFlrNzzMNwk Chapters 00:00 Intro & Different Systems, Same Problems 01:25 Welcome to Gov360 03:08 Lewis Anderson’s Journey into Public Service 05:23 Becoming a Councillor at 18 09:38 Understanding U.K. Local Government 12:28 Partisan Politics at the Local Level 16:16 What Is a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer? 18:42 How Parish Councils Operate with Limited Staff 20:35 Comparing U.S. and U.K. Clerks 23:15 Biggest Differences Between U.S. and U.K. Local Government 27:14 Social Media, Public Scrutiny, and Burnout 30:00 Civility, Respect, and Codes of Conduct 35:02 Political Neutrality and the Appointed Executive 38:53 Elected Officials, Staff Direction, and Non-Interference 41:08 Public Trust in Local Government 43:13 What the U.S. Could Learn from the U.K. 45:45 A Day in the Life of a Clerk 47:30 Clerks Without Borders and International Collaboration 49:19 Artificial Intelligence in Local Government 53:14 Are Local Governments Moving Too Slowly on AI? 54:51 AI Consulting and Measured Risk 57:34 Lightning Round 1:03:27 Final Thoughts & Closing Links & Resources 💻 Connect with Lewis Anderson: https://www.lewisandersonenterprises.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewisandersonburton/ 🔗 Clerks Without Borders: https://www.iimc.com/541/Clerks-Without-Borders 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 📬 Subscribe to the Free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614?i=1000769638025 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa?si=2f4bc58e46d74e01 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. From city managers and clerks to analysts, department heads, and elected officials, Gov360 explores the leadership, strategy, communication, and human challenges shaping the future of local government.

  • #26
    May 26 · 1 hr 5 min

    The Municipal Battlefield: Leadership, Pressure, and Survival in Small-Town Government | Ep.24

    Leadership in local government is becoming emotionally heavier. Not just operationally difficult. Heavier. The public sees the council meeting. The vote. The controversy. The headline. What they often do not see is the pressure being absorbed behind the scenes by the people trying to hold organizations, communities, and public trust together. And increasingly, that pressure is becoming deeply personal. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann is joined by Dwight Boddorf, Borough Manager of Tarentum, PA, Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow at Stanford University, and author of the new book The Municipal Battlefield. Drawing from experiences in combat, veterans advocacy, crisis leadership, and municipal management, Dwight shares an unfiltered look at the hidden psychological and emotional realities of leading in modern local government. Together, Chris and Dwight examine: • Why small-town government can become intensely personal • The emotional toll of constant public scrutiny • How criticism increasingly crosses from policy into personal attacks • The loneliness and isolation many city leaders quietly experience • Why burnout is becoming normalized across the profession • The growing disconnect between rising expectations and limited resources • Why military leadership principles may uniquely prepare people for municipal leadership • What it actually takes to lead calmly under pressure when entire communities are watching This episode also explores Dwight’s work at the Hoover Institution, focused on building pathways for veterans to enter local government leadership roles, and why mission-oriented leadership matters more than ever in public service. But ultimately, this conversation is about something much bigger. It is about the human experience of public service. The emotional burden carried by local government professionals. The pressure of leadership in emotionally charged environments. And the reality that many public servants today feel overwhelmed, isolated, and quietly exhausted. This episode is for you if: • You work in local government and feel the emotional weight of the profession increasing • You are a city manager, department head, analyst, or aspiring executive navigating difficult political environments • You have experienced public hostility, misinformation, or personal attacks tied to your work • You are trying to lead effectively without losing yourself in the process • You believe local government leadership deserves a more honest conversation Leadership today is no longer just about technical competence. It is about resilience. Emotional discipline. Communication under pressure. And the ability to keep serving even when the environment around you becomes increasingly volatile. 🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/vKqVFDbJa5U Links & Resources 📖 Dwight Boddorf's New Book: "The Municipal Battlefield": https://a.co/d/0djOuOY4 💻 Connect with Dwight on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-boddorf/ 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/gov360-your-full-circle-view-7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa?si=1a3d8e1b053345fd 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.

  • #25
    May 5 · 17 min

    Why City Managers Don’t Last – And What They Get Wrong | Ep.23

    City managers don’t just fail. Most don’t fail at all. They stall. They plateau. They quietly move on… or get pushed out. And it’s usually not because they weren’t good at their job. For decades, local government rewarded a clear formula: Be competent. Stay neutral. Deliver results. Let the work speak for itself. For many, that formula no longer holds. In this solo episode of Gov360, Chris Mann examines why so many capable city managers struggle to last in today’s environment, and what has fundamentally changed. This is not a critique of individuals. It is not a criticism of elected officials. And it is not a collection of personal grievances. It is an examination of patterns. The pace of governance has accelerated. Council turnover is more frequent. Public expectations are higher and less predictable. Social media amplifies perception in real time. And the margin for error has narrowed. The rules didn’t change overnight. They changed quietly. And many highly capable leaders are discovering that the model they were trained in no longer protects them. This episode breaks down the five most common mistakes that shorten tenure at the executive level, and how leaders can adapt without abandoning professionalism, ethics, or the core principles of the council-manager form of government. While focused on city managers, the lessons apply across the profession—from analysts and department heads to assistant city managers and emerging executives. This conversation is about durability. Chris unpacks: ✅ Why competence is now the baseline—not the differentiator ✅ How misreading the political environment leads to avoidable risk ✅ Why relationships—not results—often determine staying power ✅ The growing importance of narrative, perception, and communication ✅ How a lack of personal strategy quietly derails careers ✅ What modern leadership in local government actually requires This episode is for you if: • You are a city manager navigating increasing pressure and expectations • You are an aspiring executive preparing for long-term leadership • You have seen capable leaders struggle or exit unexpectedly • You want to lead effectively while adapting to a changing environment Being good at your job still matters. But it’s no longer enough. If you want to last in this profession, you have to evolve with it. 🎧 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/8bqYhCb_GS4 Links & Resources 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Visit Chris Mann’s Website: https://www.chrismann.us About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.

  • #24
    April 7 · 1 hr

    When Departments Break: Why Local Government Employees are Leaving | Ep.22

    Departments don’t usually fail all at once. They break quietly, then suddenly. Across local government, employees are leaving, burnout is rising, and many leaders don’t realize a department is broken until it’s too late. It starts subtly. One resignation that doesn’t get filled. One burned-out employee holding everything together. One leader hoping the team can just push through. Until one day, the department stops functioning and everyone wonders how it got there. Across local government, vacancies are lingering longer. Institutional knowledge is walking out the door. And in too many organizations, the warning signs are either missed or rationalized away. That raises critical questions for leaders: What does a truly broken department look like from the inside? Why are people really leaving? What does it take to rebuild trust, culture, and momentum once things begin to fall apart? In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with Sophia Selivanoff and Ashley Metzger of Regional Government Services (RGS), a public agency that works with cities, counties, and special districts during moments of transition, instability, and organizational strain. Together, they explore what broken departments feel like for the people inside them, why employees often trust outsiders more than their own supervisors with the truth, and how leaders can recognize the warning signs before disengagement becomes collapse. This conversation also examines the emotional toll these moments take on leaders, why asking for help can feel so difficult, and how organizations can begin to recover when trust has eroded and hope has faded. ⸻ We unpack: ✅ The difference between a busy department and a broken one ✅ The quiet warning signs leaders often rationalize away ✅ Why employees stop speaking up in struggling organizations ✅ The real reasons people are leaving local government ✅ What burnout, disengagement, and loss of hope look like from the inside ✅ Why outside support can create the first real opening for recovery ✅ How Regional Government Services helps agencies navigate instability ✅ The concept of fractional leadership in local government ✅ Why rebuilding trust, not just filling vacancies, is the real work ✅ Why there is still reason for optimism about the future ⸻ Broken departments are not personal failures. But rebuilding them requires courage, humility, and intentional leadership. For many city managers and department heads, these moments become the defining tests of their careers. If your organization feels stretched, fractured, or on the brink, this episode offers perspective and a path forward. ⸻ ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eTCDXyVjHE4 ⸻ Resources Mentioned in This Episode Gov360 Ep.7 with Jacob Green titled "Should You Leave Local Government?": https://youtu.be/VJGEfRkCpBY?si=ts6hruBaTtMdxdTR Regional Government Services: https://rgsjpa.org Sophia Selivanoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-selivanoff-259a1123/ Ashley Metzger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-metzger-8a66105b/ ⸻ Chapters 0:00 Cold Open: When Departments Quietly Start to Break 1:21 When a Department Is in Trouble, Not Just Busy 4:35 Why Staff Tell Outsiders the Truth First 8:28 Why People Are Really Leaving Local Government 13:01 What a Broken Department Feels Like for Employees 16:55 When Leaders Ask for Help and What RGS Actually Does 25:51 Fractional Leadership and Shared Executive Support 30:26 CalPERS, Flexibility, and the Modern Workforce 38:18 Why Sophia and Ashley Joined RGS 43:35 When Should a City Call RGS? 47:30 Is There Still Hope for Local Government? 49:58 How Leaders Rebuild Purpose, Progress, and Trust 54:04 Why Local Government Must Tell Its Story Better 59:28 Final Takeaway: Broken Departments Can Recover ⸻ Links & Resources 👉 Explore Gov360 Episodes and Resources: https://www.chrismann.us/gov360 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 📬 Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 💻 Website: https://www.chrismann.us ⸻ About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.

  • #23
    March 17 · 26 min

    Is the Council-Manager Model Buckling in Today’s Politicized Era? | Ep.21

    For more than a century, the council–manager form of government has been one of the most successful governance innovations in American public administration. It professionalized local government. It separated politics from administration. And it allowed cities to focus on service delivery, financial stewardship, and long-term community planning. But today, the political environment surrounding local government is changing. Across the country, the tenure of professional city managers is shortening. Public scrutiny is intensifying. Political polarization is filtering down into local debates. And in some places, leaders are beginning to ask whether professional administrators should run government at all. In Los Angeles County, voters have already approved a major governance shift that will replace a professional administrative structure with an elected county executive by 2028. In San Diego County, similar conversations about charter reform and executive leadership are beginning to surface. These debates raise a fundamental question for the profession: Is the council–manager model beginning to face structural pressure in a political environment that is changing faster than the model was designed for? In this solo episode of Gov360, Chris Mann examines the governance debates unfolding in Los Angeles and San Diego and explores what they may signal for the future of professional city management. This episode is an examination of how political environments shape governance structures, and what happens when those environments begin to shift. We explore the history of the council–manager model, why it became the dominant form of municipal government in the United States, and why the political dynamics surrounding local government today may be testing some of the assumptions that once sustained it. This conversation is intended for serious practitioners across local government: city managers, assistant managers, department heads, analysts, and emerging executives who care about the future of professional public administration. Chris unpacks: ✅ How the council–manager form of government emerged during the Progressive Era ✅ Why professional administration became the dominant municipal governance model ✅ What the governance reforms in Los Angeles County could mean for the future of local government leadership ✅ Why conversations about an elected county executive are beginning to surface in San Diego County ✅ How declining institutional trust is reshaping expectations for government leadership ✅ Why political volatility is making professional administration more exposed ✅ Where organizations like ICMA may play an important role in helping explain the value of professional local government management The council–manager model remains the most widely used municipal governance system in the United States. Thousands of cities rely on professional administrators to manage complex organizations and deliver essential public services. But institutional models do not operate in isolation. They operate inside political environments. And those environments are changing. ⸻ ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EuImK6NOqRM ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Introduction: A City Manager’s Sudden Termination 01:32 A Growing Pattern in Local Government Leadership 03:05 What the Council–Manager Form of Government Is 04:18 Why the Model Professionalized Local Government 05:03 A Major Governance Shift in Los Angeles County 06:32 Measure G and the Move Toward an Elected Executive 08:02 Why Some Leaders Want Structural Change 09:30 Risks of Politicizing Public Administration 11:05 Could Professional City Management Disappear? 12:36 San Diego County Considering Similar Changes 14:05 The Political Environment Around Local Government 15:58 Watch Episode 20: Competence Is No Longer Enough 16:25 Where Has ICMA Been in This Conversation? 18:08 What Happens If the Council–Manager Model Weakens 20:02 Why Professional Administration Still Matters 22:15 Protecting the Profession Going Forward 24:05 Final Thoughts on Leadership in a Politicized Era 25:25 Closing Message ⸻ Links & Resources 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 💻 Chris’ Blog and Professional Website: https://www.chrismann.us 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. ⸻ Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManagement, CouncilManager, PublicAdministration, MunicipalLeadership, ProfessionalManagement, LocalGov, PublicServiceLeadership, GovernmentLeadership, Gov360

  • #22
    February 24 · 25 min

    Competence Is No Longer Enough: The Quiet Shift in Local Government Leadership | Ep.20

    Competence used to be enough. Master the craft. Stay neutral. Deliver results. Let the work speak for itself. For decades, that formula sustained careers across local government. Today, it often doesn’t. In this solo episode of Gov360, Chris Mann explores the quiet but profound shift reshaping local government leadership. This is not a critique of the profession. It is not an indictment of elected officials. And it is not a collection of war stories. It is an examination of patterns. Council turnover is accelerating. Term limits are more common. District-based elections are reshaping political incentives. Social media compresses judgment cycles. Narrative increasingly outpaces performance. Neutrality is sometimes misread as disengagement. Silence is sometimes interpreted as absence. The rules did not change overnight. They changed quietly. And many highly competent professionals are discovering that the model they were trained in no longer protects them. This episode examines what changed, why capable leaders are being caught off guard, and what the modern professional reality now requires. It is grounded, analytical, and intended for serious practitioners across local government — not just city managers, but department heads, analysts, assistant managers, and emerging executives. This conversation is about durability. Chris unpacks: ✅ Why the traditional “competence and neutrality” model made sense in a different era ✅ How term limits and district elections are reshaping council dynamics ✅ Why institutional memory is shorter — and why that matters ✅ The rise of narrative politics and the compression of trust-building windows ✅ How professionals can adapt without abandoning ethics or professionalism ✅ Why political literacy, narrative awareness, and relationship stewardship are now executive disciplines This episode is for you if: • You are a local government professional sensing that expectations have shifted • You are an aspiring executive preparing for long-term leadership • You have experienced career whiplash despite strong performance • You want to lead with integrity while understanding modern political realities Competence still matters. It always will. But in today’s environment, it must be paired with awareness, judgment, and intentional relationship management — not to play politics, but to remain effective long enough to keep serving. ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y1Ba0AhPomQ ⸻ Chapters: 0:00 There are city managers about to lose their jobs 1:12 The belief that competence protects you 3:05 The professional formula we were taught 5:40 Why that model once worked 8:10 What quietly changed in local government 10:25 Council turnover, term limits, and district elections 12:50 Narrative politics vs. performance metrics 15:05 The cost of not adapting 17:40 Misread loyalty and career shock 19:30 Political literacy without becoming political 21:20 Relationship stewardship as strategy 23:10 When silence protects you — and when it hurts 24:40 Final reflections — competence still matters ⸻ 📚 Links & Resources: 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 💻 Chris’ Blog and Professional Website: https://www.chrismann.us 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7320606146577186817/ 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ 🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. ⸻ Tags: LocalGovernment, PublicAdministration, CityManagement, LeadershipDevelopment, Gov360, PublicServiceLeadership, MunicipalLeadership, CouncilManager, ProfessionalManagement, LocalGov

  • #21
    February 3 · 1 hr 5 min

    Becoming a City Manager: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership, and Longevity with Joe Turner | Ep.19

    There is no single path to the city manager’s chair. Some arrive through planning or finance. Others through engineering or public safety. And some come through politics, communications, or advocacy. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann reflects on his personal journey into professional management and the lessons he wishes someone had shared earlier. In a candid conversation with Joe Turner on the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast, Chris unpacks what it really takes to not only become a city manager, but to stay effective, resilient, and credible over time. This episode is not about titles or résumés. It is about mindset, durability, and navigating a profession where leadership is constantly tested—often quietly, and often unfairly. Chris and Joe explore how early career experiences shape executive leadership, why personal branding is no longer optional for city managers, and how professionals can protect their reputation and longevity in a highly visible, politicized environment. This is not career coaching. It is lived experience from inside the chair. You’ll hear Chris unpack: ✅ The realities of the road to the city manager role—beyond job descriptions and interviews ✅ Why resilience matters more than raw competence in local government leadership ✅ How political exposure and public visibility can strengthen, not undermine, professional credibility ✅ The role personal branding plays in protecting reputation, clarity, and career longevity ✅ Common mistakes city managers make when trying to stay “invisible” instead of intentional ✅ Why leadership endurance—not perfection—is the real measure of success in the profession This episode is for you if: • You aspire to become a city manager and want a realistic picture of the journey • You are a new or mid-career executive navigating pressure, scrutiny, and expectations • You are questioning how visible, vocal, or “branded” a city manager should be • You want to lead with integrity while still protecting your professional future Chris closes with a grounded reflection on why the city manager role is not just about technical skill, but about identity, discipline, and emotional endurance—and why those who last are rarely the loudest, but almost always the most intentional. ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GuKwiHaJL6I 📚 Links & Resources: 🎙️City Manager Unfiltered Podcast: https://www.citymanagerunfiltered.com/ 📲 Connect with Joe Turner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/citymanager 🇺🇸 American Association of Municipal Executives: https://community.aame.org/ 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 💻 Chris’ Blog and Professional Website: https://www.chrismann.us 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, CityManagement, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, ProfessionalManagement, CouncilManager, ResilientLeadership, CareerLongevity

  • #20
    January 20 · 11 min

    Is City Management Still Worth It? – Purpose, Impact, and Meaning in a Demanding Field | Ep.18

    If you spend enough time in city management or local government leadership, you will eventually ask a quiet but unavoidable question: Is this still worth it? Not necessarily in a moment of crisis. Not only after a bad meeting. But after years of responsibility, pressure, restraint, and service—when the weight of the job begins to compete with the meaning that first drew you to it. In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann steps back from tactics and survival strategies to reflect on something deeper: why city management still matters, why the work is still meaningful, and why—despite everything—the profession is still worth it. Drawing on lived experience across elected office, private-sector work, and multiple city manager roles, Chris reflects on the moments that shaped his commitment to public service—from seeing a park filled with families months after a quiet council vote, to navigating structural budget deficits, political turbulence, and ultimately a highly public departure that clarified more than it diminished. This episode is not a defense of the profession. It is not nostalgia. And it is not motivational fluff. It is a grounded, honest reflection from someone who has seen both the best and hardest chapters of local government leadership—and chosen to stay clear-eyed about the cost and the value of the work. This episode explores: • Why so many capable, principled professionals are questioning the sustainability of city management • How the job has changed—and why burnout is not a failure of commitment • The difference between comfort, stability, and meaning in a leadership career • What city management uniquely offers that few other professions can • Why political pressure, public criticism, and uncertainty do not negate the value of the work • How losing illusions can actually strengthen purpose and perspective • What it really means to measure a career by integrity, stewardship, and impact Chris also reflects on what the profession needs now—not martyrdom, not silence, and not retreat—but grounded leaders who understand the tradeoffs and still choose service with intention. This episode is for you if: • You are a city manager, assistant/deputy city manager, or department director feeling the weight of the role • You are mid-career and questioning long-term sustainability • You are early in your journey and want an honest picture of what this profession demands—and gives back • You have been through a hard chapter and are trying to reconnect with purpose • You care deeply about local government and want reassurance that the work still matters 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lYO-qq9K7EU 📚 Links & Resources: 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 💻 Chris’ Blog and Professional Website: https://www.chrismann.us 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ 🗣️ About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManagement, CityManager, Leadership, PublicService, Gov360, CouncilManager, LocalLeadership, PublicAdministration, ResilientLeadership

  • #19
    January 6 · 17 min

    When the Council Turns: 7 Rules for Surviving Political Power Shifts | Ep.17

    If you work in local government long enough, you will experience political change. Elections happen. Majorities shift. New voices come in with new priorities. But what happens when that change suddenly alters your footing—when the ground beneath you shifts, trust thins, and you realize your role is being quietly re-evaluated? In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann offers a calm, experience-based field guide for navigating sudden political power shifts inside City Hall. Drawing on hard-earned lessons—including a personal failure that played a significant role in finding himself unexpectedly “in transition”—Chris breaks down what really happens when a council turns, and how leaders can protect their credibility, composure, and options when alignment changes. This is not theory. It is what political power shifts actually look like in local government. You’ll hear Chris unpack: ✅ How political change shows up internally long before it is acknowledged out loud ✅ The early warning signs professionals often rationalize away ✅ Why logic, performance, and professionalism alone do not guarantee protection ✅ The most common mistakes leaders make when the ground starts to shift ✅ How a single emotionally driven reaction can permanently alter trust and outcomes Chris also shares seven clear rules for surviving political power shifts, grounded in lived experience rather than abstract advice: 1. Assume the environment has changed—because it has. 2. Stop explaining yourself to feel safe. 3. Recognize that professionalism is the floor, not the shield. 4. Manage relationships one person at a time. 5. Do not become reactive—become predictable. 6. Protect the institution, not your ego. 7. Always be preparing—quietly. This episode is for you if: • You are a city manager, assistant/deputy city manager, or department director sensing that political dynamics have shifted. • You are an aspiring executive who wants to understand the realities no one teaches you. • You are currently navigating council turnover, elections, or a new majority. • You are “in between” and trying to make sense of how things unraveled—and what to do differently next time. Chris closes with a grounded reflection on why political change is not a personal failure, but a structural feature of the profession—and why preparation, discipline, and composure matter more than ever. ⸻ 📚Links & Resources: 🎥Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5h9hBotRmbU 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 💻 Chris' Blog and Professional Website: https://www.chrismann.us 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ 🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CityHall, CityManagement, CouncilManager, PoliticalChange, ResilientLeadership

  • #18
    Dec 23, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min

    A Christmas Replay: Timeless Lessons in City Management & Leadership | Ep.16

    What keeps city managers going when the pressure, politics, and public scrutiny feel relentless? In this special holiday episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann revisits a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Joe Turner, founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives and host of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast, and Will Kolbow, City Manager of Calimesa, California. Originally recorded as part of the award-winning Yucaipa 360 podcast, this discussion remains as timely today as when it first aired. Together, these three city managers reflect on the realities of the profession, the different paths that lead to the city manager’s chair, and why—despite the risks and sacrifices—local government leadership still matters. From unconventional career journeys and first-time city manager experiences, to executive compensation, public trust, misinformation, and the evolving role of podcasts in government communication, this episode offers an honest look at what it really means to lead in local government. Whether you’re early in your career, sitting in the city manager’s chair, or questioning whether the profession is still worth it, this conversation provides perspective, encouragement, and reassurance that you’re not alone. ⸻ 🔑 Key Learnings: • There is no single “right” path to becoming a city manager • The city manager works for the City Council, not directly for the public • Executive leadership in local government carries significant personal and professional risk • Strong financial and organizational fundamentals are critical to successful city management • Long-form communication builds trust in ways press releases and social media cannot • City managers need stronger peer support, advocacy, and professional community • Despite the challenges, local government leadership can be deeply fulfilling and impactful ⸻ 🎧 Featured Topics: • Traditional vs non-traditional paths to city management • The council-manager form of government explained • First-time city manager realities and learning curves • Being fired, career resilience, and professional recovery • Executive compensation and public perception • Why city managers need advocacy and support networks • The rise of podcasts as a public communication tool • Combating misinformation and social media toxicity • Why local government work still matters ⸻ 📚 Links & Resources: 🎙️ City Manager Unfiltered Podcast (Joe Turner): https://www.citymanagerunfiltered.com 🏛️ American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME): https://aame.org 📲 Connect with Joe Turner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/citymanager/ 📲 Connect with Will Kolbow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-kolbow-icma-cm-8801098/ 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ 🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Until next time, govern boldly my friends. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Gov360, PublicService, MunicipalLeadership, CouncilManager, CityManagement, Leadership, PublicAdministration, CityManagers, GovPodcast, LocalGov

  • #17
    Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min

    What Keeps Us Up at Night: A Raw Roundtable on the Pressures of City Management | Ep.15

    City and county managers carry an extraordinary weight—public pressure, political conflict, community expectations, nonstop crises, and the quiet fear of what could go wrong next. Most of that burden stays hidden from view. But not today. In this special episode of Gov360, we flip the mic. Guest host Sam Toles, Founder & CEO of CiviSocial, steps into the host chair and interviews four veteran public sector leaders—Amanda Mack, Michael Paulhus, and Gov360’s own Chris Mann—in one of the most candid roundtables ever recorded on this show. This is not a policy discussion — it’s an honest conversation about the emotional, relational, and ethical burdens of leadership in the council–manager form of government. You’ll hear the panel dive into: ✅ The constant fear of getting fired — and how that pressure affects decision-making ✅ How public expectations, media narratives, and the “fear of missing something” weigh on CAOs ✅ The emotional toll of dealing with challenging elected officials and high-stakes moments that stay with you ✅ The tug-of-war that comes from having experience as both an elected official and an administrator — and how that shapes expectations ✅ Why understanding the public’s perspective is essential to guiding and mentoring staff through difficult situations The group also shares powerful insights for leaders at every level: 1. Build strong relationships early — trust equity makes the hard moments survivable. 2. Stay grounded in your values — especially when fear starts driving choices. 3. Embrace vulnerability — acknowledging fear helps leaders refocus and make better decisions. 4. Understand the political-administrative divide — especially if you’ve served in both roles. 5. Support your peers — several panelists note that these pressures are universal among managers. This episode is for you if: • You’re a city manager, county manager, or any local government professional navigating political pressure or organizational strain. • You’re a councilmember seeking to understand what your manager carries behind the scenes. • You’re an emerging leader considering whether you’re ready for the responsibility of the “big chair.” • You’re feeling the weight of leadership and need to know you’re not alone. The conversation ends with a call to strengthen professional culture — to create environments where managers can be honest about the pressures they face, where support is intentional, and where courage isn’t punished but expected. ⸻ 📚 Links & Resources: Connect with: Sam Toles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtoles1/ Amanda Mack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-mack-empa/ Michael Paulhus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltpaulhus/ Check out Sam's company, CiviSocial: https://civisocial.com And Sam's new book, The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials: https://a.co/d/8cOsOea 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I8iAfjx633U 🎙️ Listen to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 🎧 Or on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa ⸻ 🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CityManagement, CouncilManager, ResilientLeadership, LocalGovLife, SamToles, AmandaMack, MichaelPaulhus

  • #16
    Nov 25, 2025 · 20 min

    Cancel Culture in City Hall: What Happens When the Mob Comes for You | Ep.14

    If you work in local government long enough, you’ll face public criticism. That comes with the territory. But what happens when it stops being about policy and becomes about you—your name, your reputation, even your livelihood? In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann shares a deeply personal story of facing an organized, relentless campaign to drive him out of his role. For two years in Yucaipa, California, an anti-growth group targeted him with disinformation, weaponized public comment, hostile Facebook groups, public records requests, and political pressure on the city council. This is not theory. This is what cancel culture looks like inside city hall. Chris walks through the emotional, professional, and ethical tightrope of leading under attack—and what it takes to come out the other side with clarity, courage, and conviction. 🔑 Key Learnings • Cancel culture in local government is slow, coordinated, and often hidden behind a veneer of legitimacy • Being targeted is often the result of doing your job well in a politically volatile environment • Ethics rules can trap city managers in silence when they become the story • Trust equity must be built long before misinformation begins • Leaving is not weakness—sometimes it’s a strategic reset 🎧 Featured Topics • What “cancel culture” looks like for city managers and senior staff • How organized opposition movements weaponize public processes • The psychological, family, and career impact of becoming a target • The city manager’s ethical dilemma when false narratives spread • Why councils often stay silent when attacks escalate • Five strategies for surviving and leading through a smear campaign • How the profession can create healthier council–manager dynamics • Hope and perspective for leaders currently “in the storm” 📚 Links & Resources • Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ • Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 • Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 • Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa 🗣️ About Gov360 Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. TAGS: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CancelCulture, CityHall, CityManagement, CouncilManager, ResilientLeadership

  • #15
    Nov 11, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min

    From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13

    What really changes when you go from writing staff reports to voting on them? In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Palm Desert City Councilmember Joe Pradetto, who made the rare leap from long-time government staffer to elected official. With years of experience in legislative affairs, communications, and department leadership, Joe now finds himself on the other side of the dais. They unpack what it takes to shift from policy implementer to policymaker—and how to do it without losing your grounding in public service. Topics covered in this episode include: Why Joe ran for office after more than a decade as a staffer What surprised him most about life on the Council The biggest mindset shifts when transitioning from staff to elected Common staff-vs-council misunderstandings and how to avoid them Why more government insiders should (or shouldn’t) consider running Whether you’re a department head thinking about your next chapter, or a city manager working to build stronger relationships with your council, this episode offers practical lessons and lived experience from both sides of the dais. Key Learnings: Staff experience can be a powerful asset—but only if you adopt a policymaker’s mindset Healthy council-manager relationships rely on mutual respect for roles and boundaries Running for office is about building trust and telling your story—not just proving competence Elected leadership requires humility, not just ambition Featured Topics: Transitioning from staff to elected office Campaigning as a public servant Council-manager form of government in action Planning Commission service as preparation for elected roles Staff-council dynamics and trust-building Public service, work-life balance, and long-term impact Links & Resources: Connect with Joe Pradetto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pradetto-aa90291a4/ Learn more about Joe as a Councilmember: https://joepradetto.com Connect with Chris Mann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/ Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 Gov360 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z_Lr6ZiqVi8 Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614 Gov360 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. Tags: LocalGovernment, CityCouncil, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CityManager, CouncilManager, StaffToElected, CampaignStrategy, CityPolitics, PalmDesert

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