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
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