The HaltingWinter Podcast

Sabrina Cotta: The Best Leaders Don't Have All the Answers
Why Better Solutions Start on the Frontline
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 350 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
What if the best ideas in your organization aren't sitting in the executive office?
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Sabrina Cotta, City Manager of Ashland, Oregon, and President-Elect of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA), to discuss leadership, innovation, and why great organizations are built by empowering the people closest to the work.
Sabrina shares her unique journey into local government from military intelligence and language training in the U.S. Army to county government, budgeting, strategic planning, and eventually city management. Along the way, she discovered a leadership truth that has shaped her approach to leading teams and organizations: the best leaders don't have all the answers, but they know how to create environments where better answers can emerge.
The conversation explores the realities of local government leadership, the importance of strategic thinking, why innovation often starts on the frontlines, and how leaders can avoid becoming the bottleneck to progress.
Whether you're a city manager, department director, supervisor, or aspiring leader, this episode offers practical insights on building stronger teams, developing future leaders, and creating organizations that continuously improve.
About Sabrina Cotta
Sabrina Cotta serves as City Manager for the City of Ashland, Oregon. Throughout her career, she has served in military intelligence, state and county government, city government, budgeting, strategic planning, finance, human resources, and executive leadership roles. She currently serves as President-Elect of the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) and is passionate about leadership development, organizational improvement, and strengthening the future of local government.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Shaun Barnett: The Future Won't Build Itself
Why Communities Need Visionary Leadership
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 349 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
What does it take to lead a community into the future while honoring the history that built it?
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Shaun Barnett, City Manager of Woodward, Oklahoma, to discuss his unlikely journey from mowing parks and serving in law enforcement to leading one of northwest Oklahoma's most important regional hub cities.
Shaun shares how saying "yes" to opportunities, embracing lifelong learning, and investing in people opened doors he never expected. Along the way, he offers powerful insights on leadership, economic development, regional collaboration, succession planning, and why communities that fail to think beyond today's challenges risk falling behind tomorrow.
The conversation explores the unique realities of leading a rural hub city that serves far more people than its population suggests, the importance of building strong partnerships across schools, healthcare, business, and government, and why great leaders focus as much on developing future leaders as they do on delivering results today.
Whether you're a city manager, department director, elected official, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical wisdom on building thriving communities and creating a legacy that lasts beyond your tenure.
About Shaun Barnett
Shaun Barnett serves as City Manager for the City of Woodward, Oklahoma. A lifelong resident of the community, Shaun's career has included service in parks and recreation, law enforcement, emergency communications, community development, and municipal administration. Throughout his leadership journey, he has remained committed to creating opportunities for future generations while helping Woodward continue to grow as a regional hub for northwest Oklahoma.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Multipliers
Episode 348 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> What if the biggest performance gap in your organization isn't a budget problem or a staffing problem, but a leadership problem? Specifically, yours?
In this episode, Seth works through Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman, a book that draws a sharp line between leaders who amplify the intelligence around them and leaders who, often without realizing it, suppress it. The research is clear: Diminisher leaders access roughly half of their team's actual capability. Multipliers access nearly all of it. The difference isn't talent or intention. It's behavior.
Seth unpacks why local government is a particularly fertile environment for accidental diminishing and what the five Multiplier disciplines look like when applied inside the real constraints of civil service systems, elected oversight, and public scrutiny.



Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: 

     ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications
     ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools
     ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session
     ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders
➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
Resources Mentioned
Book: Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Connect with Seth Winterhalter
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

Patrick Bryant: Relationships Before Results
The Hidden Key to Organizational and Community Success
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 346 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Patrick Bryant, City Manager in Avondale Estates, Georgia, who shares his journey from growing up in a politically engaged family in Alabama to serving communities across Nevada, California, Alabama, and Georgia. Along the way, he discovered that successful local government leadership is about far more than policies, plans, and projects; it's about people.
Patrick reflects on the mentors who shaped his career, including legendary city managers Sam Gaston, Ken Pulskamp, and Ken Striplin, and discusses how investing in relationships opened doors, accelerated his growth, and continues to influence his leadership philosophy today.
He also shares the remarkable story of Avondale Estates' transformation. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and long-term thinking, the city has doubled its value in just seven years while creating a more sustainable future for residents and businesses alike.
Whether you're a city manager, department director, aspiring leader, or someone passionate about building stronger communities, this conversation offers practical wisdom on leadership, culture, economic development, and the power of investing in people.
About Patrick Bryant
Patrick Bryant serves as the City Manager of Avondale Estates, Georgia. Since joining the city in 2018, he has helped lead significant community and economic development initiatives that have strengthened the city's long-term sustainability and revitalized its downtown. Prior to Avondale Estates, Patrick served as City Manager of Talladega, Alabama, and held leadership roles with the City of Santa Clarita, California, and Douglas County, Nevada. He is passionate about mentorship, organizational culture, and helping communities thrive through strong leadership and strategic vision.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Jeff Niten: Building Beyond Today
Why Great Communities Require Long-Term Thinking
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 346 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jeff Niten, City Manager of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, to explore what it takes to lead a community with the future in mind.
Jeff's journey into local government began far from city hall. Growing up as the son of an Army drill sergeant, he learned discipline, service, and adaptability through a childhood that took him from Alaska to South Carolina to Southern California. What started as an interest in public policy and urban planning eventually led him through county government, community development, and city management.
Throughout the conversation, Jeff shares lessons learned from helping rapidly growing communities navigate development, infrastructure, financial sustainability, and long-term planning. He discusses why professional local government leadership matters, the challenges cities face when growth outpaces resources, and how leaders must often make decisions today that won't reveal their full impact for decades.
Jeff also offers valuable insights on building trust with elected officials and residents, empowering staff to lead, breaking down organizational silos, and creating a culture where innovation is encouraged rather than feared.
Whether you're a city manager, department director, elected official, or aspiring local government leader, this conversation is a powerful reminder that great communities aren't built by reacting to today's challenges alone—they are built by leaders willing to think beyond today.
About Jeff Niten
Jeff Niten is the City Manager of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, with more than two decades of experience in local government leadership, planning, and community development. Throughout his career, he has helped communities navigate growth, infrastructure challenges, financial sustainability, and long-term planning. Passionate about public service, Jeff is known for his commitment to transparency, empowering staff, and building communities that thrive not just today, but for generations to come.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions. As host of The HaltingWinter Podcast, he shines a spotlight on the people behind local government, sharing the inspiring stories of city and county leaders from across the nation to elevate the profession, encourage those who serve, and inspire the next generation to pursue meaningful careers in public service.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com