#39 - Brad Stafford on City Manager Burnout

Episode #39 of The Clear Voice features Brad Stafford, retired City Manager and Vice President at Clear Career Professionals, in an honest and important conversation about city manager burnout, leadership stress, and mental health in local government. Brad is joined by Kelly Kuenstler, Vice President at Clear Career Professionals and former city and county manager, along with James Groom, Host of The Clear Voice and public sector leader.

After 28 years serving as a City Manager, Brad Stafford shares the personal and professional realities that led him to step away from city management, not because he stopped caring, but because the cumulative weight of the job finally caught up with him. His experience reflects what many local government executives face but rarely discuss publicly.

This episode explores the long term impact of constant crisis response, political pressure, public scrutiny, and the expectation that city managers must always be steady, available, and composed for everyone else. Brad Stafford discusses how burnout does not happen overnight. It builds through years of council meetings, community demands, staff oversight, emergency situations, and major events such as COVID and severe weather crises. Over time, the pace, responsibility, and emotional load can erode even the most committed public servant.

James Groom guides the conversation toward the human side of leadership in municipal government, highlighting how leaders often take care of everyone else while neglecting their own well being. Kelly Kuenstler adds perspective from her experience in local government recruitment and executive leadership, emphasizing how widespread stress and burnout have become in city administration.

Listeners will hear Brad Stafford describe the moment he realized something had changed. The work that once energized him no longer felt sustainable. He talks about identity and leadership, and how serving as a City Manager for decades can become deeply tied to who you are as a person. Letting go of that role can feel like losing part of yourself, yet recognizing the need to step away is also a form of leadership.

Key topics in this episode include city manager burnout in local government, leadership stress in high responsibility public service roles, mental health challenges for city managers and executive leaders, the impact of politics and public meetings on administrators, the pressure of being on call at all times, and the challenge of balancing professional responsibility with family and personal well being. The conversation also covers the importance of peer networks, professional associations, and how councils and communities can better support their city manager and department heads.

Brad Stafford emphasizes peer support, family support, and professional networks such as state and regional city management associations. He explains that many leaders struggle in silence because of stigma or the belief that they must always appear strong. By sharing his story, he hopes to help other city managers, assistant city managers, and department directors recognize early warning signs and feel less alone.

This episode of The Clear Voice is especially relevant for City Managers, Assistant City Managers, Department Directors, municipal executives, elected officials, and anyone working in local government leadership. It also offers valuable perspective for city councils and community members who want to understand the human side of the city manager role. Behind every agenda packet, policy decision, and public meeting is a person carrying significant responsibility.

The Clear Voice podcast, produced in partnership with Clear Career Professionals, highlights leadership, careers in local government, and the people behind public service. Episode #39 adds an important discussion about sustainability in leadership and protecting the well being of those who serve communities every day.

Listen to Episode 39 of The Clear Voice to hear Brad Stafford, Kelly Kuenstler, and James Groom discuss burnout in city management, leadership stress, and mental health in public service.

00:00 Introduction to City Management and Burnout 02:27 Personal Experiences with Burnout 05:19 The Impact of COVID-19 on City Managers 07:36 Strategies for Preventing Burnout 10:07 The Role of City Councils in Supporting Managers 12:25 Mental Health Awareness in City Management 15:00 Peer Support and Resources for City Managers 17:25 Professional Development and Resilience Training 20:11 Civility and Stress in Municipal Government 22:40 Recommendations for Reducing Burnout 25:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.

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