Think Tanks
Confidential peer groups for city managers and county administrators.
Monthly sessions with practitioners who understand isolation at the top.
The Challenge You Know
Every decision impacts your community. The council dynamics, the staff challenges, the public scrutiny. You carry it. And most of the people around you either report to you or have political relationships that complicate candor.
Where do you go to think out loud? To test ideas before they’re fully formed? To hear how other practitioners are navigating similar challenges?
Think Tanks exist because leadership tends to develop in connection, not isolation. The challenges you face aren’t unique. Other practitioners are navigating the same dynamics.
What Members Develop
This isn’t about what you receive. It’s about what you become capable of.
Pattern Recognition
You start seeing dynamics earlier. One member watched peers navigate department restructures and recognized the same patterns starting in their organization. Six months ahead of where it would have blindsided them.
Decision Confidence
Hearing how others frame choices builds your own clarity. Members report making decisions faster, not because they’re certain, but because they’ve developed better judgment about when to decide versus when to gather more input.
The Skill Transfers
The questions you learn to ask as a peer advisor become questions you ask your own team. Several members have built internal peer advisory structures based on what they experienced in Think Tank sessions.
How It Works
Monthly Sessions
90-minute virtual sessions with 8-12 peers. Structured time for one member to present a current challenge, followed by peer input using a facilitated process that ensures diverse perspectives without judgment.
Complete Confidentiality
What happens in Think Tank stays in Think Tank. We understand FOIA concerns. Your candor is protected. No recordings shared. No notes distributed. Safe space for real conversation.
Practitioner-Only
No lectures. No generic case studies. City managers, county administrators, and CAOs who are currently in the seat, navigating real challenges. Peers who understand because they live it too.
Membership Options
Transparent pricing. No hidden fees. If it’s not working after three months, we’ll refund the remaining months. No retention tactics.
Strategic Peer Group
$119/month
$1,428 billed annually
Monthly peer advisory with facilitated problem-solving. Practitioners who understand your world help you think through what you’re facing.
Strategic Alliance
$179/month
$2,148 billed annually
Everything in Strategic Peer Group, plus a quarterly session exclusively for Strategic Alliance members where the group applies The Shift That Sticks to their own leadership practice, and a quarterly 1-on-1 with Rob to work on what surfaces. For practitioners who want to use the methodology on themselves, not just their organizations.
Not sure which fits? Reach out below. No pitch, just clarity about whether this is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t make a session?
Life happens. Your commitment is 10 sessions per year, not 12. Members naturally share relevant insights when you return, and the peer relationships develop whether you’re in every session or not.
How are groups formed?
We intentionally mix geography, organization size, and tenure. The diversity creates richer perspective. Someone navigating a 50-person organization often offers insights that larger-organization leaders miss, and vice versa.
What if it’s not a fit?
If it’s not working after three months, we’ll refund the remaining months. No awkward conversations, no retention tactics. We’re confident in the value. If you’re not experiencing it, we’ll part ways respectfully.
Can I try before committing?
Always. Every prospective member participates in a session before either side commits. You’re evaluating whether this is the right room for you. We’re evaluating whether you’re the right fit for the group. That mutual standard is how we protect what makes Think Tanks work.
Other Ways to Engage
Think Tanks provide peer support for your leadership. Other services address specific challenges or team development.
Insights → • Executive Coaching → • Emerging Leaders Program → • All Services →
Exploring Think Tanks?
Tell us about your role and what you’re navigating. We’ll follow up to discuss whether this is the right room for you.
No obligation. No pressure. Just a conversation.