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It’s been a few months since Lisa Norris and I sat down together to record an episode of Grow Great. But we’re back!

Life happens. Work happens. And sometimes the demands of leadership require our full attention.

That’s certainly been the case for Lisa, who’s been heavily involved in implementing Workday at the City of Grand Prairie, Texas. Major organizational projects like that don’t happen without considerable planning, coordination, problem-solving, and persistence.

And that’s part of what makes leadership in city government so interesting.

Leadership Doesn’t Take a Break

Even when the podcast goes quiet, the work of leadership continues.

City government leaders face a unique set of challenges. They’re responsible for delivering essential services, supporting employees, managing resources, navigating change, and serving their communities.

All at the same time.

There are competing priorities, unexpected problems, demanding schedules, and no shortage of people depending on them.

It’s meaningful work. It’s also difficult work.

That’s why Lisa and I started Grow Great. We believe the people who lead our cities deserve encouragement, thoughtful conversations, and opportunities to continually improve their leadership.

Why We Do This

Grow Great isn’t about pretending we have all the answers.

It’s about exploring the realities of leadership, sharing experiences, challenging conventional thinking, and encouraging leaders to become more effective at serving others.

Our philosophy remains unchanged:

Leadership is influence (and impact), a focus on others and doing for others what they can’t do for themselves.

We believe great leadership is fundamentally about people. Helping them grow. Giving them opportunities. Removing obstacles. Building trust. Creating environments where individuals and teams can thrive. All with high accountability and high expectations!

None of that is easy. And none of us ever reaches a point where there’s nothing left to learn.

It’s Good to Be Back

We’re happy to be recording together again.

We’re looking forward to more conversations about the challenges and rewards of leading in local government, including the practical realities that don’t always make their way into leadership books or training programs.

Whether you’re a city manager, assistant city manager, department director, supervisor, or someone aspiring to greater leadership responsibility, we hope Grow Great continues to provide value.

Thanks for listening, watching, and being part of the journey.

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

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