Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Gov360
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gov360 Trailer 2 - From Award-Winning to Game-Changing | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:02:39 | |
We’re back — and this time, we’re taking it to the next level. Gov360 is the brand-new podcast hosted by Chris Mann, creator and former host of the award-winning Yucaipa 360 Podcast, which just received the 2025 CAPIO EPIC Award for excellence in public information and communications. In this trailer, hear why Gov360 was launched, what sets it apart, and how it’s building on the success of a podcast that redefined how local government connects with its community. If you’re a city manager, public information officer, elected official, or frontline government pro — this podcast is for you.
🔔 Episode 1 drops next week! Subscribe now and join us each episode as we take a full-circle view on the biggest challenges — and opportunities — facing local government professionals today. — 👀 Watch the award-winning Yucaipa 360 Podcast: 🎧 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47_qzEUJZAA4ZJyE-AT14XtTWTeomlmT
🎧 Listen to Gov360 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360-coming-soon/id1807649614 YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyOcroiVl0nr6P-VSd6IJq-eVued17bMB&si=EIomKnPZgNOXDbld Podbean: https://www.gov360podcast.com
📲 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gov360 💬 Join the conversation and help reshape the future of local government. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership
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| Gov360 Trailer | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:01:49 | |
🚨 COMING SOON: Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government 🎙️ Local government work has never been more important - or more challenging. Between tight budgets, toxic politics, and keyboard warriors, public service demands resilience, innovation, and better communication than ever before. That’s why we're launching Gov360 - a new podcast for the people shaping our communities from the inside out. Hosted by City Manager Chris Mann, Gov360 brings you candid conversations, real-world solutions, and expert insights from local government leaders across the country. 💡If you’re a city manager, policymaker, or public servant striving to lead in this complex environment, this podcast is for you. 🎧 Watch the trailer below, follow Gov360, and be the first to know when we drop Episode 1! — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Civic Engagement, Chris Mann, Public Information, CAPIO, Leading Local Gov | |||
| Gov360 Pilot – A Time to Come Together | Ep.1 | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:08:25 | |
🎙️ Gov360 – Episode 1: A Time to Come Together Host: Chris Mann | City Manager, Public Affairs Pro, Award-Winning Communicator Welcome to the first-ever episode of Gov360 - Your Full Circle View on Local Government. In this solo kickoff, host Chris Mann delivers a raw, honest reflection on what it really means to lead in local government today. This episode isn’t about policy updates or process checklists - it’s about the human side of public service. The pressure. The politics. The isolation. The moments of quiet impact that never make the headlines. Chris shares his personal journey through city leadership - from being elected to a city council at 23, to serving as a city manager in California - and lays out a bold new vision for how we talk about leadership in the public sector. 🎯 In this episode: • Why Gov360 was launched - and what makes it different • The communication crisis in local government (and what to do about it) • The silent toll of public sector executive-level leadership • Why podcasts like this are essential in today’s civic landscape • A call for unity, vulnerability, and peer support in the profession If you’re a city manager, department head, mid-level leader, or elected official, this podcast was built for you. Real conversations. Real challenges. Real leadership. ⸻ 🔔 Subscribe and follow Gov360: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360-coming-soon/id1807649614 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyOcroiVl0nr6P-VSd6IJq-eVued17bMB&si=EIomKnPZgNOXDbld Podbean: https://www.gov360podcast.com
📲 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gov360
🛠 Let’s rethink leadership. Let’s build each other up. Let’s govern boldly. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership | |||
| Disrupting Local Government with Joe Turner | Ep.2 | 06 May 2025 | 01:06:55 | |
In this powerful debut guest episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann is joined by Joe Turner — veteran city manager, founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), and host of the highly influential City Manager Unfiltered podcast. Together, they explore how bold communication, authentic leadership, and calculated risk-taking are reshaping the future of local government.
From the risks and rewards of stepping into the city manager seat, to navigating career transitions and building personal brands through content creation, this episode is packed with real talk, actionable insights, and inspiration for local government professionals at every stage of their journey.
What You’ll Learn:
Featured Topics:
Links & Resources:
Connect with Us:
Subscribe and never miss an episode. Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
Gov360 – Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership, Joe Turner, Joseph Turner, City Manager Unfiltered, American Association of Municipal Executives, AAME | |||
| Navigating the Council-Manager Form of Government with City Councilmember Jeremy Smith | Ep.4 | 20 May 2025 | 01:06:49 | |
The council-manager form of government is the most widely used system in the United States—and for good reason. When roles are respected and relationships are strong, it provides a framework for effective, accountable local governance. But when the boundaries between policy and administration blur, dysfunction is rarely far behind. In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann welcomes Canyon Lake Councilmember Jeremy Smith for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes conversation about how elected officials and city staff can work together successfully. Drawing from six years on the council—including two as mayor—and experience as a campaign consultant and government staffer, Jeremy shares hard-learned lessons and best practices that every councilmember, city manager, and department head should hear. They explore what makes the council-manager model work (or fall apart), how to build mutual trust, the importance of political humility, and how to lead effectively in today’s complex and often contentious environment.
🎯 Key Learnings
📚 Featured Topics
🔗 Links & Resources
🛠️ Gov360 - Your Full Circle View on Local Government Stay informed. Get inspired. Govern boldly.
#gov360 #citymanager #localgovernment #municipalleadership #publicsectorpodcast #chrismann #govcommunication #councilmanagergovernment #citycouncil #jeremysmith #gov360podcast #leadershipinlocalgov #civicleadership #localgovlife | |||
| The New Playbook: Winning at Social Media in Local Government with Sam Toles | Ep.3 | 13 May 2025 | 01:02:30 | |
In this episode of Gov360, Chris Mann sits down with nationally recognized digital strategist Sam Toles, the founder and CEO of CiviSocial. Sam shares actionable insights from his travels across the U.S. training cities and counties on how to modernize their social media strategy. They dive deep into why local governments must stop ignoring social media’s influence, the dangers of disengagement, and how to use storytelling to build community trust. Sam explains why outdated communication approaches are failing and outlines what cities are getting wrong—from fragmented messaging to over-reliance on tools like Canva—and what they can do instead to build public trust and resilience in the face of growing civic disengagement and online hostility. This conversation is both a warning and a roadmap. 💡 Key Learnings
Available on Amazon (also free directly from Sam)
🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn:
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership, Sam Toles, CiviSocial, The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers | |||
| 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First City Manager Role | Ep.6 | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:19:32 | |
Being a City Manager is about more than policy and budgets—it’s about presence, relationships, and the courage to lead when it counts most.
In this solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares the 7 things he wishes he knew before taking on his first city manager role. After 25 years in and around local government, the last six years managing two cities—through incredible wins and one very difficult loss—Chris reflects on the real, unspoken truths of local government leadership.
This is a personal, unfiltered conversation about what it truly takes to succeed in the city manager seat. From managing pace and political pressure to protecting your inner circle and standing by your values—this episode is packed with real-world advice for those who lead (or aspire to lead) in local government.
Whether you’re a department head preparing to step up, a new city manager looking for solid footing, or a seasoned veteran navigating your own challenges, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a dose of hard-won wisdom.
🔑 Key Learnings: • Presence matters: “You bring the weather with you.” • Every conversation counts: There’s no such thing as a small comment in leadership. • Pace yourself: The private sector mindset often clashes with the public sector process. • Relationships are everything: Trust is earned, not assumed. • Invest in your team and council: Go deeper than you think you need to. • Protect your energy: Keep your inner circle small. • Lead with courage: Sometimes leadership means risking the title to uphold your values.
📌 Featured Topics:
📢 Stay Connected with Gov360
🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Leadership Lessons, Public Administration, Gov360 Podcast, Executive Leadership, Chris Mann, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Council-Manager Relations, Career in Local Government, ICMA, League of California Cities, Public Sector, Governance, Transition, Resilience, Govern Boldly | |||
| Unlocking the Power of AI in Local Government with Micah Gaudet | Ep.5 | 27 May 2025 | 00:49:30 | |
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a far-off concept—it’s here, and it’s transforming how local government works.
In this episode, Chris Mann sits down with Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of Maricopa, Arizona, for a practical, insightful discussion on the role of AI in the public sector. What started as a fun experiment generating dad jokes led Micah to champion AI as a transformational tool in budgeting, policy-making, internal communication, and more.
Together, they explore how city leaders can leverage AI for efficiency while addressing real concerns about job displacement, procurement risks, data governance, and human-centered service delivery. Micah also shares how organizations like AAME are stepping up to equip public administrators for this tech-driven future.
Whether you’re curious about AI’s capabilities, actively using tools like ChatGPT, or figuring out how to train your team—this conversation will leave you with ideas, resources, and a clear understanding of the leadership required to bring AI into local government effectively.
🎯 Key Takeaways
🧠 Featured Topics
⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to AI in Local Government 05:07 – Micah’s Journey into AI 09:54 – Understanding AI and Generative AI 14:58 – Applications of AI in Local Government 20:04 – The Future of Jobs in Local Government 25:03 – Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption 29:57 – Exploring AI Tools and Their Functions 35:47 – Understanding AI Policies and Risks 42:08 – The Role of AAME in Supporting City Managers 47:58 – Practical Applications of AI in Local Government 53:51 – Navigating Challenges in Local Government Leadership 📚 Resources & Links📘 Purchase 1001 Prompts for Unlocking Generative AI in Local Government 🎧 Micah on City Manager Unfiltered with Joe Turner 🎧 Micah on the Local Government Insights Podcast 🔗 Connect with Micah on LinkedIn 📢 Stay Connected with Gov360🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership, Micah Gaudet, CivicInnovation.ai, 1001Prompts, AAME | |||
| Should You Leave Local Government? Exploring Public-to-Private Career Shifts with Jacob Green | Ep.7 | 24 Jun 2025 | 01:09:40 | |
🔍 Episode Summary:
Are you burned out, questioning your future in local government, or wondering if there’s a more fulfilling path forward?
In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Jacob Green, a former Assistant City Manager and now CEO of Jacob Green & Associates, to talk candidly about the growing trend of local government professionals transitioning to the private sector.
Drawing on decades of leadership in public service and private consulting, Jacob shares insights on salaries, pensions, stress, work-life balance, and what the pivot to consulting really looks like. This episode offers an honest, practical look at what’s driving so many seasoned professionals to explore life beyond city hall—and how to navigate the shift with clarity and purpose.
Whether you’re early in your career, mid-journey, or contemplating a new chapter, this conversation delivers the clarity and courage to take the next step in your local government journey. 💡 Key Learnings:
🔍 Featured Topics:
🔗 Links & Resources:
📢 Stay Connected with Gov360 🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Local Government, Public Sector Careers, Career Transition, City Manager, Public Administration, Government Leadership, City Manager Jobs, Public to Private Sector, Government Consulting, Career Reinvention, Management Consulting, Executive Coaching, Burnout, Work Life Balance, Mental Health in Government, Leadership Resilience, Jacob Green, Jacob Green and Associates, See Change Clearly, Chris Mann | |||
| Reclaiming the Narrative: Sam Toles on Fixing Local Government's Social Media Strategy | Ep.10 | 30 Sep 2025 | 01:06:53 | |
🚨 Struggling with negativity on social media? Here’s how to take back control. 🎙️ Gov360 Episode 10! Sam Toles is back—this time in-studio—to dive even deeper into the social media crisis facing local governments and how to fix it. A former city councilmember turned Hollywood media executive, Sam is the founder of CiviSocial and the author of two game-changing books: 📘 The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers 📗 *New this week:* The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials (forward written by Chris Mann) 💡 Whether you’re a city manager, PIO, department head, or elected official, this episode will shift how you think about public engagement—and show you a better way forward. In this episode, Chris and Sam unpack:
⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources:
📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 ⸻ 📣 If this episode helped you, hit the like, subscribe, and share buttons to support the show and help other local government leaders find it. Until next time...govern boldly, my friends! | |||
| Bridging Politics & Policy: Turning Political Signals into Smarter Local Government Strategy with Adam Probolsky | Ep.9 | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:50:51 | |
“Ignoring politics doesn’t make it go away; it only makes local governments less prepared.”
In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Dr. Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research and Senior Research Fellow at the Drucker School of Management, to explore how city leaders can think politically without acting politically.
They unpack why the traditional politics–policy divide holds organizations back and how governments can use politics as an early-warning system to anticipate challenges before they reach the council chambers. At the heart of the conversation is the Political Signals Memo—a simple, one-page weekly briefing that helps executive teams stay ahead of community sentiment, national narratives, and legislative ripples without crossing ethical lines.
This episode provides practical, nonpartisan tools every local government can use to prevent surprises and build trust.
🧭 What You’ll Learn:
🔗 Featured Topics:
📌 Resources & Mentions:
📩 Join the Conversation: 💬 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 🔁 Share this episode with a colleague in local government 📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn 🎧 Follow Gov360 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, or your favorite platform 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@gov360
Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, PoliticsAndPolicy, PoliticalSignalsMemo, Leadership, PublicEngagement, ProbolskyResearch, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly | |||
| Leading Through the Red: Smarter Strategies for Budget Challenges | Ep.8 | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:23:57 | |
“When the numbers go red, that’s when true leadership shows its color.” Budget deficits are no longer isolated events; they’re becoming the norm in cities and counties across the country. In this candid solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares what he’s learned from leading not one, but two cities through structural budget deficits. Drawing on over 25 years in and around local government, Chris unpacks the three biggest mistakes city leaders often make when responding to financial crises – and what to do instead. This episode goes beyond spreadsheets and cuts to the heart of the issue: trust, leadership, and long-term sustainability. From strategic revenue generation and cost recovery, to transparent public communication and rethinking public safety funding models, this is a roadmap for navigating the red without losing your way. 🧭 What You’ll Learn:
🔗 Featured Topics:
📌 Resources & Mentions:
📩 Join the Conversation:
Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, BudgetDeficit, MunicipalFinance, PublicSafetyFunding, LeadershipInCrisis, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly | |||
| What Keeps Us Up at Night: A Raw Roundtable on the Pressures of City Management | Ep.15 | 09 Dec 2025 | 01:10:08 | |
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.
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📚 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
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🗣️ 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 | |||
| Cancel Culture in City Hall: What Happens When the Mob Comes for You | Ep.14 | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:20:25 | |
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 | |||
| From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13 | 11 Nov 2025 | 01:21:38 | |
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:
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:
Featured Topics:
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 | |||
| The Resilient Leader: Leading Local Government with Courage and Clarity | Ep.12 | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:48:43 | |
🎙️ Guest Appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast with Gavin Johns
What does it really take to lead a city with courage—especially when your path is unconventional, the budget is tight, and the stakes are personal? In this episode, Gov360 host Chris Mann shares his guest appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast, where he sat down with Gavin Johns for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, and building a meaningful career in local government. Together, they explore: ✅ Chris’ untraditional journey to becoming a city manager ✅ Why resilience—not perfection—is the key to lasting leadership ✅ Strategic planning lessons from turning deficits into surpluses ✅ How to build high-performing teams without micromanaging ✅ Faith, family, and finding purpose in public service They also dive into leadership mindset—how to push forward even when you’re doubted, and why being “ready” isn’t a requirement for taking the first step.
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🗣️ 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, ResilientLeadership, PublicAdministration, StrategicPlanning, CityManagement, CivicEngagement, FaithInLeadership, CourageWise, PublicService, GovTech, TeamEmpowerment, WildomarCA | |||
| Real Talk on Politics, PEG Funds, and Putting Your City on Camera with Joe Turner | Ep.11 | 14 Oct 2025 | 01:00:12 | |
🎙️ Guest Appearance on the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast with Joe Turner What if you could build a full recording studio in your city without touching your general fund? That’s exactly what I did—and in this episode, I explain how. I recently joined Joe Turner on the City Manager Unfiltered podcast to unpack how cities can leverage PEG (Public, Educational, and Governmental) access funds to modernize communications, rebuild public trust, and engage the community in ways your website never will. We cover: ✅ What PEG funds are—and why your city might be sitting on hundreds of thousands of unused dollars ✅ How we turned an underutilized office at City Hall into a studio for an award-winning podcast ✅ Why long-form content + short-form clips can outperform traditional government comms ✅ Candid lessons from launching Yucaipa 360, including one thing I might do very differently ✅ How transparency today means meeting people where they are—not hiding behind “it’s on the website” We also dive into the leadership mindset required to thrive as a city manager, how to build resilience when facing termination risks, and that understanding the “why” behind your career matters more than ever.
🎥 Note for YouTube Viewers: This episode was recorded for an audio-only podcast, so following a video intro you’ll see a static image while the audio rolls.
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🗣️ 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, PEGfunding, PublicCommunications, Gov360, GovTech, CivicEngagement, Transparency, Podcasting, Leadership, CityManagerUnfiltered, Yucaipa360 | |||
| Competence Is No Longer Enough: The Quiet Shift in Local Government Leadership | Ep.20 | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:25:34 | |
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 | |||
| Becoming a City Manager: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership, and Longevity with Joe Turner | Ep.19 | 03 Feb 2026 | 01:05:08 | |
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:
📚 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:
📬 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 | |||
| Is City Management Still Worth It? – Purpose, Impact, and Meaning in a Demanding Field | Ep.18 | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:11:55 | |
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 | |||
| When the Council Turns: 7 Rules for Surviving Political Power Shifts | Ep.17 | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:17:22 | |
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 | |||
| A Christmas Replay: Timeless Lessons in City Management & Leadership | Ep.16 | 23 Dec 2025 | 01:26:35 | |
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 | |||
| Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely | Introducing the Gov360 Community | Ep.27 | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:27:09 | |
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 | |||
| The End of Loyalty | Ep.26 | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:37:17 | |
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 | |||
| Different Systems, Same Problems: Local Government Across the Pond | Ep.25 | 09 Jun 2026 | 01:05:17 | |
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. | |||
| The Municipal Battlefield: Leadership, Pressure, and Survival in Small-Town Government | Ep.24 | 26 May 2026 | 01:05:07 | |
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 Gov360Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession. | |||
| Why City Managers Don’t Last – And What They Get Wrong | Ep.23 | 05 May 2026 | 00:17:17 | |
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.
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| When Departments Break: Why Local Government Employees are Leaving | Ep.22 | 07 Apr 2026 | 01:00:59 | |
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: ⸻ 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.
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| Is the Council-Manager Model Buckling in Today’s Politicized Era? | Ep.21 | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:26:06 | |
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: ⸻ Chapters00:00 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 Gov360Gov360 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 | |||