Show notes
Show Notes: Lori Curtis Luther The Messy Truth of City Management: Power Struggles, Public Pressure, and Daily Firestorms
Episode 238 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies and Zencity
Overview City management isn't just budgets, ordinances, and long-range planning. It's navigating crises, absorbing public pressure, and making decisions that can end careers overnight.
In this episode, Lori Curtis Luther, City Manager of Overland Park, Kansas, pulls back the curtain on what the job really looks like when the spotlight turns harsh. From removing police chiefs in the middle of a leadership crisis, to managing a divided community during COVID, to handling union fights and a governing body of 13 elected officials, her career is a study in resilience, influence, and survival.
We cover:
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Why straight shooting, even when unpopular, is the only way to build long-term trust.
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The public backlash and hate mail that came with COVID decisions.
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How to manage power struggles and union negotiations without losing credibility.
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Why leading with authenticity beats trying to emulate others.
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The recruiting truth: "No private industry can compete with our purpose. We build community."
Lori's journey reminds every city leader that the job isn't clean...it's messy, political, and high-stakes. But it's also deeply meaningful when you learn to stand firm in the firestorms.
Connect with Lori Curtis Luther LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lori-c
About Our Sponsors Zencity This episode is made possible by Zencity, a trusted partner to hundreds of local governments worldwide. Zencity helps leaders cut through the noise of the "same ten people" by gathering real-time resident feedback across every neighborhood and demographic. With Zencity's AI-powered tools, decisions can be made with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at Zencity.io
Tyler TechnologiesWe're also proud to be sponsored by Tyler Technologies, the largest software company in the nation dedicated exclusively to the public sector. From financial management and utility billing to citizen engagement and digital government solutions, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently, transparently, and effectively.
Learn more at Tyler Technologies
Connect with Seth Winterhalter: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs like the Municipal Leadership Development Program (MLDC).
Learn more at HaltingWinter.com
Seth's Upcoming Keynotes: 2025 City Clerks New Law and Elections Seminar November 12-14 | Los Angeles, CA Details at CalCities
2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 3-5 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA
2026 Illinois City/County Management Association Winter Conference February 11-13 | Normal, IL Details at ILCMA
2026 Wisconsin City/County Management Association Winter Conference February 25-27 | Oshkosh, WI Details at WCMA
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