Research & Thought Leadership
Insights
Thought pieces for local government leaders navigating real challenges. Every article connects to The Shift That Sticks methodology.
All Articles
Practical thinking on leadership, culture, and navigating changed conditions.
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When Clarity Fades: What Happens to Trust in Local Government
Gallup research shows only 22% of employees strongly agree their organization’s leadership has a clear direction. For local government leaders, where every…
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Navigating the First 90 Days as a New City Manager
Stepping into a new city manager role presents unique challenges. These Think Tank insights offer guidance for the first 90 days: building…
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Leading While Absent
Leaders often fear taking time away from work due to concerns about missed deadlines, unresolved issues, and trust gaps. Effective delegation, fostering…
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Why Innovation Stalls in Organizations Built for Stability
Local governments were designed for consistency, and that design worked. But when stability becomes the only operating principle, innovation stalls. The organizations…
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What Culture Actually Protects When Everything Else Changes
Organizational culture isn’t a perk or a program. It’s the set of conditions that determine whether people can do honest work, stay…
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Leadership Excellence in Local Government
City managers and county administrators stand at the nexus between visionary change and public service values. This guide explores leadership excellence: defining…
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Navigating Isolation: The Frenemy Factor for CAOs
The “Frenemy Factor” reveals a layer of CAO isolation that conferences can’t solve: community counterparts who understand the role may also be…
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The Isolated Leader
City managers and county administrators often walk a solitary path amidst a crowd. After facilitating over 100 peer group sessions, the isolation…
Explore by Practice
Content organized around The Shift That Sticks methodology.
Face the Truth
Seeing clearly before acting. Expanding what we can perceive.
Define What Matters
Choosing priorities deliberately. Protecting what we commit to.
Make It Real
Building systems that sustain what matters. Structure over willpower.
Reinforce the Change
Making change stick. Closing the gap between intention and culture.
The Evidence Base
Every insight connects to current research about workplace dynamics, leadership effectiveness, and organizational change. Explore the studies behind the methodology.
Drawing from the World Happiness Report, Gallup, and 250+ Think Tank sessions with practitioners.