The Clear Voice

In Episode #84 of The Clear Voice, James Groom sits down with Dee Maddox, founder of DMX Consulting, to talk about leadership, communication, workforce development, and what it really takes to lead people through change.

Dee brings more than 30 years of experience working with people and organizations, including a long federal career and service with NASA during the transition of the Space Shuttle Program. She shares what that experience taught her about communicating through uncertainty, taking care of people during major organizational change, and why knowing the reason for a change does not necessarily make it easier to accept.

James and Dee also discuss the evolving role of HR, breaking down silos inside organizations, helping employees understand how their work connects to the bigger picture, and why strong job candidates sometimes struggle to clearly communicate their value during an interview.

Dee also introduces her DEED Framework for leadership: Design, Education, Execution, and Documentation, with an emphasis on ownership and accountability.

Chapters

00:00 - Leading Through Change
00:47 - Meet Dee Maddox
07:23 - When Technology Replaces the Job
11:39 - AI and the Future of Work
15:34 - Leading the NASA Space Shuttle Transition
21:23 - Communication During Major Change
25:16 - Is HR Really There for Employees?
28:06 - Breaking Down Organizational Silos
32:21 - Why Great Candidates Get Passed Over
40:14 - The DEED Framework
49:18 - The Work Public Servants Do That People Never See
54:54 - Developing People and Keeping Good Employees
1:02:48 - The One Thing Every Leader Should Understand

Connect with Dee Maddox

Dee Maddox on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemaddox/

DMX Consulting on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmxconsulting/

DMX Consulting: https://deemaddoxconsulting.com/

ATD Dallas: https://tddallas.org/page-1863843

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this PositionCast™, James Groom is joined by Sansom Park Mayor Jim Barnett to discuss the city’s search for its next Chief of Police.

Mayor Barnett shares his background in Sansom Park, law enforcement, and public administration, along with what candidates can expect from the community, City Council, and city leadership. The conversation also covers the police department’s accreditation, Drone as First Responder program, K9 unit, staffing, culture, recruiting, and long-term priorities.

James adds perspective from his current role as interim police chief, including what he found when he arrived, the department’s strengths, and what the next chief will need to do to move the organization forward.

The episode closes with a discussion about leadership, accountability, retention, budgeting, and what success should look like during the new chief’s first year.

View the full job posting and apply:
https://tml.careerwebsite.com/job/chief-of-police/85793743/

View the recruitment brochure:
https://sansompark.org/DocumentCenter/View/3040/Sansom-Park-Police-Chief-Brochure?bidId=

Chapters

00:00 - Why Sansom Park Stands Out
00:52 - Welcome to the PositionCast™
04:30 - Mayor Jim Barnett’s Background
09:33 - Leadership Philosophy and Council Support
13:07 - “Greater Together” and the Sansom Park Community
15:34 - Inside the Sansom Park Police Department
19:27 - Living and Working Near Fort Worth
25:38 - Priorities for the Next Police Chief
30:47 - Leading from the Front
32:39 - Finding the Right Fit
35:47 - An Interim Chief’s Perspective on the Department
41:31 - Recruiting, Retention, and Building Culture

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Dr. Wes Blair, Chief of Police at Memphis International Airport, joins The Clear Voice to talk about his career across multiple states, the move from traditional municipal policing into airport law enforcement, and why wellness has to start at the top.

Wes shares how airport policing is still police work, but in a very different environment with travelers, tenants, airlines, federal regulations, security expectations, and customer service all layered together.

The conversation also turns to officer health and wellness, the old law enforcement culture that kept many people from talking about what they were carrying, and why leaders must model the same care and support they expect from their teams.

Read Wes’s article for Clear Career Professionals:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/authentic-leadership-taking-care-of-ourselves

Learn more about Wes and Blair Advisor Group:
https://blairadvisorgroup.com/

Connect with Wes on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-blair/

Chapters:

00:00 Why Wellness Became Personal
03:09 Wes Blair’s Law Enforcement Background
06:19 Federal Air Marshal Experience
08:08 Returning to Community Policing
11:09 Knowing When It Is Time to Leave
12:40 Moving Across States and Organizations
16:11 Leadership, Uniforms, and Culture
19:33 Municipal Policing vs. Airport Policing
22:12 Airport Reporting Structure and Leadership
24:49 Relationships Across the Organization
28:18 Officer Health and Wellness
36:45 Annual Mental Health Check-Ins
41:22 Put Your Mask On First
46:36 Blair Advisor Group and Leadership Training
48:07 Advice for Public Sector Leaders

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The City of Frisco, Texas, is searching for its next Fire Chief.

In this PositionCast™, James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese are joined by Frisco City Manager Wes Pierson, Deputy City Manager E.A. Hoppe, and Interim Fire Chief Clay Carpenter for an inside look at the department, the community, and what Frisco needs from its next fire service leader.

Frisco’s next chief will inherit a high-performing department with significant resources, talented employees, a strong command staff, and a culture built around teamwork, innovation, and high expectations. The conversation covers department operations, continued growth, EMS, emergency management, Frisco’s SAFER system, organizational culture, and the leadership qualities that will matter most in the selection process.

Interested candidates can find the official recruitment brochure, position details, and application instructions on the Current Opportunities page at ClearCareerPro.com.

Chapters

00:00 – Why This Is a Unique Fire Chief Opportunity
00:37 – Welcome to the PositionCast™
02:38 – Meet Frisco’s Leadership Team
06:41 – Leadership Philosophy: Citizens First
08:38 – The Culture of Team Frisco
11:09 – What Frisco Needs From Its Next Fire Chief
15:29 – Inside the Frisco Fire Department
18:13 – Growth, New Stations & Future Resources
19:44 – ISO 1, Accreditation & High Standards
21:27 – Living, Working & Leading in Frisco
29:35 – Emergency Management & the SAFER System
33:55 – Operational Challenges & Opportunities
38:06 – The Clear Recruitment Process
41:42 – Final Advice for Candidates
44:46 – Learn More & Apply

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Organizations spend enormous time and money developing leaders, but how much attention do we give to developing better followers?

Rick Chambers, author of Inspired: A Story of Leading, Following, and Changing and creator of Followership Works, joins James Groom to explore why followership may be one of the most overlooked pieces of organizational success. Rick explains how strong followers use critical thinking, self management, coachability, managing up, and constructive dissent to help their leaders, their teams, and themselves become more effective.

The conversation explores why followership is not about being a yes person, how employees can influence an organization without formal authority, and why learning to follow well can help prepare someone to lead. Rick and James also discuss respectfully challenging a boss, navigating poor decisions, building trust, knowing when it may be time to leave, and the responsibility every employee has to help advance the organization’s mission.

Rick closes with the trim tab analogy, a reminder that even someone without the title or authority can help turn the entire ship.

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of the Trim Tab
03:05 What Is Followership?
04:53 Learning to Influence Without Authority
09:52 Why We Train Leaders but Not Followers
14:30 Managing Up and Constructive Dissent
28:44 How to Respectfully Disagree With Your Boss
34:03 When All Else Fails
40:47 Finding Your Trim Tab Opportunity

Connect with Rick Chambers:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/followership/

Followership Works
https://followership.works

Inspired: A Story of Leading, Following, and Changing
https://amzn.to/4zpSe7y

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The City of Denison, Texas, is searching for its next Director of Development Services during a period of significant growth and development.

In this PositionCast™, Interim City Manager Renee’ Waggoner discusses the opportunity, Denison’s leadership culture, the Development Services team, and what the successful candidate will need to bring to the role.

Topics include:

• Leading planning and zoning, building permitting and inspections, neighborhood services and code compliance, and historic preservation.

• Managing rapid growth while protecting Denison’s historic character, established neighborhoods, and quality of life.

• The approximately 3,200 acre Preston Harbor development along Lake Texoma and other major growth occurring throughout the community.

• Building strong relationships with employees, developers, residents, City Council, and community partners.

• The leadership style, experience, and approach Denison is seeking in its next director.

Salary Range: $150,000 to $170,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

First Review: August 24, 2026.

Learn more and apply:

https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/denison-texas-director-of-development-services-job-posting

00:00 Denison Is the Right Step
01:30 Growth and Opportunity in Denison
02:49 Leadership and Culture at the City
08:04 Managing Growth While Protecting Denison
11:48 The Director of Development Services Role
16:25 Preston Harbor and What’s Ahead
19:39 What Makes Denison Special
27:37 The First 90 Days and Ideal Candidate

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The City of Rowlett, Texas is searching for its next City Manager.

In this PositionCast™, Rowlett Mayor Jeff Winget joins James Groom, The Clear Voice host, and Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals and lead recruiter for the search, for an in depth conversation about the community, the organization, and the leadership opportunity ahead.

Rowlett is a community of nearly 70,000 residents on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The city is entering an important period of transition, with significant opportunities in economic development, organizational culture, infrastructure, capital projects, and community growth.

Mayor Winget discusses the City Council’s priorities for the next City Manager, including rebuilding trust, strengthening communication, filling key leadership vacancies, developing a positive organizational culture, and moving major projects forward. He also explains why economic development will be critical to Rowlett’s future, including opportunities at Sapphire Bay and in the North Shore area.

The conversation also explores several funded capital projects, including a new public safety building, animal shelter, and improvements to Herfurth Park.

Throughout the episode, Mayor Winget emphasizes the importance of humility, honesty, empathy, communication, and a willingness to listen. The City is looking for a leader who wants to put down roots in Rowlett, build relationships with employees and residents, and help shape the community for years to come.

The salary range is $285,000 to $315,000, with a competitive benefits package.

Applications are open through August 28, 2026.

Learn more about the City Manager opportunity and apply:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/rowlett-texas-city-manager-job-posting

00:00 Introduction
03:04 Why This Moment Matters for Rowlett
07:12 Leadership, Council, and Community
11:30 Priorities for the Next City Manager
17:14 Economic Development and Rowlett’s Future
21:25 Capital Projects and Growth Opportunities
24:59 Organizational Culture and Rebuilding Trust
28:03 Living and Working in Rowlett
37:40 The Candidate Rowlett Is Looking For
41:21 Why Experienced City Managers Should Consider Rowlett
43:26 Salary, Benefits, and Recruitment Process
47:20 Final Message to Candidates

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This episode is dedicated to Zackery Mehlman, July 19, 2004 to March 22, 2021, and the more than 350,000 lives lost to the opioid crisis. May their memories strengthen our commitment to preventing further loss.

This episode includes discussions of mental health, substance abuse, fentanyl, overdose deaths, and family trauma.

Listener discretion is advised.

A community crisis cannot be solved by one department, one program, or one enforcement strategy.

Aubrey D. Paul, also known as A.D. Paul, joins James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss the experiences behind his memoir, Plano Grace. Aubrey is a retired Plano police sergeant and longtime crisis intervention leader whose career placed him at the center of Plano’s response to heroin addiction and overdose deaths during the 1990s.

Aubrey shares how law enforcement, city leadership, schools, hospitals, churches, treatment providers, and other community partners came together during the crisis. He also explains why transparency, collaboration, and treating every person with dignity remain essential when communities confront addiction, mental illness, and other complex challenges.

The conversation explores the continued fight against fentanyl, the development of crisis intervention programs, the importance of Narcan access, and the role municipal leaders play in supporting long-term solutions. Aubrey also discusses the personal loss, family struggles, redemption, and faith that shaped his life and inspired him to write Plano Grace.

📘 Purchase Plano Grace on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3TVWzPs

00:00 Dignity and Respect in Law Enforcement
00:16 Introduction and Content Advisory
02:28 Aubrey D. Paul’s Journey into Law Enforcement
05:07 Leadership and the Growth of Plano
08:13 The Story Behind Plano Grace
14:02 How Plano Responded to a Community Crisis
18:17 Addiction Then and Now
23:30 Communication, Transparency, and the Media
26:29 Encouragement for Frustrated Officers
31:02 Helping a Loved One Facing Addiction
34:35 The Development of Crisis Intervention Teams
39:03 Community Partnerships and Jail Diversion
42:06 Investing in Long-Term Solutions
44:24 Narcan and Overdose Prevention
46:08 Aubrey’s Final Message and Faith Journey
48:53 Continuing to Serve with Purpose
49:43 Closing and Resources

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Ben Jarrett has spent his career around water, first as a professional bass fisherman, then in the boating industry, and now as a Regional Sales Director for Next Meters USA.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, Ben joins James Groom to discuss his unconventional career journey and the lessons he learned from fishing, competition, hard work, and conservation.

The conversation then moves into the challenges facing municipal water utilities. Ben explains how aging meters can miss usage, how hidden leaks can lead to unexpectedly high bills, and how smart water meters give utilities and customers faster access to accurate information.

They also discuss water scarcity, infrastructure planning, meter replacement, customer satisfaction, and the importance of selecting technology that employees can actually understand and use. Ben shares what communities should consider when moving from manual meter reading or drive-by systems to advanced metering infrastructure.

For Next Meters, the goal is simple: provide utilities with powerful technology while making smart water beautifully simple.

Chapters

00:57 Introduction and Ben’s Career Journey

03:02 From Professional Bass Fishing to the Water Industry

05:54 Work Ethic, Preparation, and Career Lessons

08:29 Meeting Your Heroes and Competing at the Highest Level

10:22 Conservation and Protecting Water Resources

12:07 Water Scarcity and the Role of Smart Metering

14:52 Finding Leaks and Water Loss Faster

16:53 Customer Satisfaction and Usage Awareness

21:13 Aging Meters and Lost Utility Revenue

23:36 Better Data for Rates and Infrastructure Planning

25:09 Moving from Manual Reading to Smart Metering

27:36 Implementing and Maintaining a Smart Meter System

31:10 Choosing the Right Metering Technology

33:25 Why Software and Usability Matter

35:58 Making Smart Water Beautifully Simple

40:41 Encouragement for Utility Professionals

Connect with Ben

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-jarrett-288969108/

Email: bjarrett@nextmeters.com

Phone: 903-387-3550

Learn More About Next Meters

https://nextmeters.com/

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What if a city could inspect roads, drainage systems, water tanks, utilities, and other hard-to-reach infrastructure faster, safer, and with more detail than a traditional field survey?

In this episode of The Clear Voice, Host James Groom talks with Craig Kerkhoff, PE and Dr. Robert Hendricks of Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP about how LiDAR, drones, remote sensing, 3D mapping, and artificial intelligence are changing municipal engineering.

They explain how LiDAR creates detailed 3D models that help cities document existing conditions, improve worker safety, speed up surveys, inspect infrastructure, and support future projects. The conversation also explores how cities can turn raw data into useful information and better decisions.

Topics include LiDAR technology, drone-based surveys, digital mapping, elevated storage tank inspections, pavement analysis, municipal asset identification, and the future of AI in city infrastructure.

Learn more about Birkhoff, Hendricks & Carter, LLP: https://bhcllp.com/

Contact Craig Kerkhoff: ckerkhoff@bhcllp.com

00:00 Introduction to Innovative Infrastructure Inspection
02:15 Meet the Experts: Craig and Robert
04:28 The Role of BHC in Municipal Engineering
07:00 Transitioning from Geology to Engineering
08:19 The Power of LiDAR Technology
09:03 Understanding LiDAR: How It Works
11:32 Creating 3D Maps for Cities
13:03 Improving Survey Speed and Safety
15:14 Eliminating Red Tape with Drone Surveys
16:59 Rapid Data Collection for Municipal Projects
17:55 How LiDAR Works in Dense Environments
18:55 Real-World LiDAR Applications
25:59 From Data to Information to Understanding
33:24 AI, Digital Twins, and the Future of City Mapping
38:06 Advice for Public Works Leaders
40:51 How to Connect with BHC

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In Episode #74 of The Clear Voice, host James Groom sits down with Justin Atherton, President of Training and Operations at Proactive Leadership, bestselling author of How to Get to the Damn Point, and a nationally recognized leadership and investigative interviewing instructor.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in corrections, patrol, investigations, SWAT, supervision, and leadership development, Justin shares practical strategies for becoming a more effective communicator and leader. The conversation explores why clarity builds confidence, how supervisors can coach employees without creating dependence, and why emotional regulation goes far beyond the traditional concept of emotional intelligence.

James and Justin also discuss cognitive interviewing, building rapport, avoiding memory contamination, creating organizational buy-in, and helping employees develop the confidence to make sound decisions on their own.

Whether you work in law enforcement, local government, human resources, investigations, or another leadership role, this episode offers practical tools for communicating more clearly and leading more effectively.

Topics discussed include:

• Why clarity is a leadership obligation
• The Point–Why–Context communication framework
• Coaching employees to become confident decision-makers
• Building trust through clear and authentic communication
• Emotional regulation, emotional vocabulary, agility, and resilience
• Cognitive interviewing and avoiding memory contamination
• Building rapport during difficult interviews and investigations
• Creating buy-in during organizational change
• Developing future leaders through coaching and accountability

Chapters

00:00 Preview
00:26 Introduction to Leadership and Communication
02:45 Justin's Journey Through Law Enforcement
05:18 Why Communication Is a Leadership Skill
07:49 Lessons from Corrections and Patrol
10:28 Becoming a Leader Instead of Just Doing the Job
14:32 Clarity Is a Leadership Obligation
16:08 Confidence vs. Competence in Leadership
19:23 Creating Organizational Buy-In
22:47 Coaching Without Micromanaging
27:45 Developing Independent Decision-Makers
28:26 The Cognitive Interview and Better Conversations
36:02 Emotional Regulation Beyond Emotional Intelligence
40:40 Justin's Favorite Leadership Emotions
43:28 Inside How to Get to the Damn Point
48:36 Where to Find Justin's Book and Training
49:19 Final Leadership Advice
50:23 Outro

Learn more about Proactive Leadership:
https://proactiveleader.com/

Purchase How to Get to the Damn Point:
https://a.co/d/08C3Gqlo

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, we highlight the Chief of Police opportunity in Pampa, Texas. Host and recruiter James Groom visits with City Manager Shane Stokes and Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller about the community, the police department, the city’s leadership culture, and the type of servant leader Pampa is seeking for its next Chief of Police.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Pampa Chief of Police Opportunity
02:51 Meet City Manager Shane Stokes
03:50 Meet Assistant City Manager Dustin Miller
06:20 Leadership Philosophy and Servant Leadership
08:23 Working with the Mayor and City Commission
09:56 Mission Statement, Absolutes, and Organizational Culture
12:14 One City Team: Collaboration Across Departments
15:20 About the Pampa Police Department
17:51 Motors, Dispatch, and Community Trust
20:15 Department Strengths and Current Challenges
21:43 Key Public Safety and Community Partnerships
24:24 Welcome Home: Life in Pampa
27:32 Recreation, Events, and Quality of Life
32:21 What Pampa Wants in Its Next Police Chief
36:01 How Candidates Can Apply
38:27 Final Thoughts from Dustin Miller and Shane Stokes
39:57 Closing Remarks

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Denison, Texas is searching for its next City Manager, and this PositionCast™ gives candidates a closer look at the community, council, staff, and leadership environment behind the opportunity.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, host James Groom is joined by Mayor Robert Crawley and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese to discuss Denison’s historic character, award-winning downtown, access to Lake Texoma, strong community partnerships, and major development momentum.

The conversation also explores what the next City Manager will need to bring to the role, including communication, financial acumen, growth management, relationship building, humility, listening, and the ability to lead a strong staff without micromanaging.

Denison is a growing North Texas community with a historic Main Street district, a service-first culture, and a major opportunity ahead through the Preston Harbor development. Candidates interested in helping guide that next chapter are encouraged to review the full posting and brochure.

Full posting and brochure:
https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/denison-texas-city-manager-job-posting

Chapters:

0:04 Welcome to The Clear Voice and the Denison Opportunity
2:27 Mayor Robert Crawley Joins the Conversation
2:58 Mayor Crawley’s Path to Denison and Public Service
6:06 Banking, Service, and Local Government Leadership
7:45 What Makes Denison Unique
11:55 Schools, Families, Livability, and Community Partnerships
13:48 Why Candidates Will Be Attracted to Denison
15:24 Growth, Preston Harbor, and Preserving Denison’s Character
19:26 Skills Needed for the Next City Manager
21:42 How the Denison City Council Works
23:08 Communication with Council, Staff, and the Community
24:49 Team Denison and the Strength of City Staff
26:40 Service-First Culture and Leadership Style
28:47 First-Year Priorities for the New Manager
30:46 Key Technical Skills for Candidates
32:46 Humility, Listening, and Leadership Intangibles
35:16 How to Apply for the Denison City Manager Role
36:34 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom sits down with Matt Wright, Human Resources Director for the City of Buda, Texas, to talk about employee retention, organizational culture, and the human side of public service.

Matt brings a unique perspective to the conversation after transitioning from a long career with the Austin Police Department into municipal HR. The discussion explores why good employees leave public sector organizations, why culture often matters as much as compensation, and how leaders can better serve the employees who serve the community.

James and Matt also discuss the importance of organizational justice, procedural fairness, emotional regulation, and treating employees with dignity and respect. From public works crews fixing water lines in the Texas heat to police officers serving the public after a difficult interaction with a supervisor, this conversation focuses on how internal leadership directly affects external service.

Matt’s key takeaway for leaders is simple but powerful: you get to decide how you show up in your next interaction.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and why good employees leave

02:50 Culture, retention, and feeling valued

05:13 Balancing community expectations and employee needs

07:48 Public Works and the unseen work of local government

08:09 Recognizing employee disengagement before they leave

12:52 Matt’s transition from policing to municipal HR

22:20 The human element in public service leadership

24:31 HR as service to the people who serve the community

28:08 Organizational justice, fairness, and internal culture

32:50 Dignity, respect, and emotional regulation in leadership

35:10 Push versus hold: slowing down leadership reactions

38:12 Using AI to improve communication and understanding

41:18 Matt’s future aspirations and leadership growth

42:37 Final takeaway for leaders

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, guests Debbie Munoz, Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, Dan Wattles, former TMRS Director of Governmental Relations, and Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, join host James Groom to discuss an important executive leadership opportunity with TMRS.

TMRS is recruiting for its next Director of Governmental Relations, a role that sits at the intersection of public policy, relationships, pension governance, and public service. This position plays a critical role in protecting the retirement system that serves Texas cities, public servants, retirees, and their families.

Throughout the conversation, Debbie and Dan explain why governmental relations at TMRS is about much more than monitoring legislation. The right person must build trust before session begins, understand how policy changes can impact the system, work closely with internal departments, and maintain strong relationships with state and federal stakeholders.

Dan shares his experience serving in the role and describes TMRS as one of the most rewarding positions of his career. Debbie also discusses TMRS’s organizational culture, the importance of collaboration, and the kind of energetic, engaged, mission-driven leader she hopes to bring into the organization.

For candidates with governmental relations experience, public policy knowledge, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for public service, this is a rare opportunity to help protect one of the most important retirement systems in Texas.

Apply for the Position

Learn more and apply for the TMRS Director of Governmental Relations position here:

https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/tmrs-director-of-governmental-relations-posting

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Why This Role Matters
03:02 Dan Wattles’ Path to TMRS
06:17 Serving Texas Cities, Public Servants, and Retirees
08:11 Debbie Munoz’s Background and TMRS Mission
12:53 Why Governmental Relations Is Critical to TMRS
15:16 Building Trust Before Legislative Session
18:11 Playing Defense and Protecting the System
21:04 Federal Issues and Pension Policy
25:25 Why TMRS Is Different from a State Agency
28:57 The Culture and Organizational Health at TMRS
32:55 Internal Relationships and Cross-Department Collaboration
38:23 The Work Between Legislative Sessions
42:23 How to Apply for the TMRS Opportunity
45:20 Living and Working in Austin
50:19 Can Private-Sector GR Experience Transfer?
53:17 Final Advice for Applicants

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

La Marque, Texas is looking for its next City Manager.

In this PositionCast™, Mayor Keith Bell joins The Clear Voice host James Groom and Clear Career Professionals recruiters Brad Stafford and James Hopper to discuss the opportunity, the community, the council’s priorities, and the leadership qualities needed for La Marque’s next chapter.

Known as the Gateway to the Gulf, La Marque sits along the I-45 corridor between Houston and Galveston, offering a unique blend of hometown community, regional access, economic development opportunity, and strong local pride.

This conversation covers:

• The type of City Manager La Marque needs
• Council and community expectations
• City services, infrastructure, and fiscal accountability
• Economic development along the I-45 corridor
• Staff culture and organizational leadership
• Stakeholder relationships and regional partnerships
• What success could look like in the first year

For leaders who can manage people, build trust, communicate clearly, and lead with steady accountability, La Marque offers a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Learn more about this role and apply through Clear Career Professionals.

00:00 Opening: Getting La Marque Back on Track
01:05 Introducing the La Marque City Manager Opportunity
03:01 Mayor Keith Bell’s Public Service Journey
05:29 Leadership, Diversity, and Community Voice
11:49 Gateway to the Gulf: Location, Growth, and Opportunity
19:48 What La Marque Needs from Its Next City Manager
24:45 Leading a Passionate Council, Staff, and Community
29:41 Desired Experience and Leadership Style
33:48 Schools, Football, and Community Pride
36:45 City Staff, Culture, and Organizational Leadership
42:25 Accountability, Infrastructure, and Economic Development
46:24 Building Relationships with Stakeholders and Regional Partners
54:57 First-Year Success and Recruitment Details
59:15 Candidate Advice from Clear Career Professionals
1:02:07 Final Thoughts: Why La Marque
1:07:56 Closing: Leave Your Mark on La Marque

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jim Devlin, we pick up with his transition from Police Chief to Assistant City Manager and what that move has taught him about leadership, succession planning, relationships, and service beyond the badge.

Jim talks about the natural progression from leading a department to helping lead an organization, the importance of collaboration across city departments, and why relationship building remains one of the most transferable skills in local government. He also shares thoughts on mental health and wellness in city management, the value of professional development through the Texas City Management Institute, and the importance of regional partnerships in serving communities well.

The episode closes with Jim’s advice for emerging public servants: know yourself, build relationships, stay humble, strive for excellence, and remember that people may forget the programs and projects, but they will remember how you treated them.

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome Back to Part 2
00:57 - Moving from Police Chief to Assistant City Manager
06:17 - Skills That Transfer from Police Leadership to City Management
11:55 - Leadership, Wellness, and Taking Care of Yourself
12:45 - Mental Health in Public Safety and City Administration
16:53 - Burnout, Pressure, and Secondhand Smoke in City Leadership
19:43 - Texas City Management Institute
24:43 - Borrowing Good Ideas and Making Them Fit Your Community
25:51 - Hewitt, Waco, and the Real Central Texas
32:33 - Regional Partnerships and Shared Services
35:15 - Advice for Emerging Public Servants
38:05 - Is a Career in Public Service Worth It?
39:43 - Closing Thoughts

Connect with Jim Devlin on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-devlin-cpm-15886570/

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom and Michael Boese sit down with Bryan Lockerby to discuss leadership, law enforcement, city management, organizational assessments, and the lessons learned from more than four decades of public service.

Bryan shares perspective from his career in Montana law enforcement, including leading the state’s Division of Criminal Investigation, working with rural agencies, managing complex public safety challenges, and transitioning into city management. The conversation also covers leadership clarity, decision-making, mentorship, organizational health, and why strong systems matter long after individual leaders move on.

Chapters

00:00 Leadership Principles and Opening Thoughts
03:55 Clarity Purpose and Courage in Decision-Making
06:30 Difficult Decisions in Law Enforcement Leadership
09:12 Early Career Lessons and the Value of Experience
11:48 Rural Law Enforcement and Resource Challenges
14:23 Community Relationships and Police Legitimacy
17:01 How Law Enforcement Has Improved Over Time
20:07 Recruitment Staffing and the Future of the Profession
25:07 Officer Trauma Secondary Trauma and Mental Health
27:33 The Complexity of Modern Law Enforcement
31:26 Leading Montana’s Division of Criminal Investigation
33:38 Major Cases Politics and Public Safety Priorities
35:56 Building Effective Teams and Protecting the Mission
37:19 Career Highlights Montana and Public Perception
41:34 The Unique Challenges of Law Enforcement in Montana
44:52 Transitioning from Law Enforcement to City Management
49:29 Organizational Assessments Communication and Leadership Health
54:39 Bryan’s Advice for Future Leaders

Learn more about Bryan Lockerby and Lockerby Leadership Group:

https://bryanlockerby.com/

Services:

https://bryanlockerby.com/services/

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom is joined by Joseph Lujan, author of Reflective Resonance, A Quiet Spark Approach to Authentic Leadership, and creator of the CAMP OUT Method.

Joseph shares his perspective on authentic leadership, generational change in the workplace, employee motivation, and the importance of leaders staying consistent, self aware, and emotionally present. The conversation explores how workplace culture has shifted since COVID, why autonomy and trust matter, and why leaders must be willing to reflect on their own influence before trying to improve the people around them.

Joseph also discusses his background in county probation, federal probation, and leadership, explaining how working with people under supervision shaped his understanding of human behavior. He shares practical lessons about individualizing leadership, building trust, avoiding robotic communication, and helping employees feel seen, valued, and heard.

The episode also breaks down Joseph’s CAMP OUT Method, which focuses on consistency, authenticity, mindfulness, purpose, optimizing leadership, upshifting, and transforming leadership practices. These concepts provide a practical framework for leaders who want to grow, strengthen their teams, and create healthier workplace cultures.

Joseph’s final takeaway is simple but important. Leaders need to show up authentically and genuinely. Employees notice more than leaders sometimes realize, and the way leaders communicate, respond, and carry themselves can shape the culture around them.

Resources

Reflective Resonance Website
https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/

Reflective Resonance Worksheets
https://www.reflectiveresonance.org/documents/

Reflective Resonance Book
https://a.co/d/0fZNrEGQ

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Reflective Resonance and Authentic Leadership

00:02:47 Workplace Culture After COVID

00:05:20 Autonomy, Trust, and Accountability

00:07:32 Employee Motivation and Finding Purpose

00:10:05 Joseph Lujan’s Leadership Journey

00:12:53 Emotional Intelligence and Human Behavior

00:15:12 Common Leadership Failures

00:17:43 The Story Behind Reflective Resonance

00:22:11 Consistency in Leadership

00:24:14 Authenticity and Effective Leadership

00:25:31 Mindfulness in Leadership Communication

00:28:54 Purposeful Leadership and the Why

00:31:09 Optimizing Leadership Through Reflection

00:33:35 Upshift and Transform

00:36:15 Continuous Growth and Feedback

00:39:21 Final Takeaway, Showing Up Authentically

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Mayor Alejandro Flores from Los Fresnos, Texas joins The Clear Voice for a PositionCast™ focused on the City Manager opportunity there.

Los Fresnos is a growing South Texas community with strong local identity, respected schools, regional access, and major opportunities ahead. In this episode, Mayor Flores discusses his connection to the community, the City Council’s priorities, the organization, and the type of leader who can be successful in the role.

The conversation highlights responsible growth, infrastructure planning, budget management, communication with council, staff relationships, community involvement, and the importance of preserving the close community feel that makes Los Fresnos special.

Kent Myers, the recruiter for this search, also provides context for candidates. He discusses the stability of the organization, the strength of the existing staff team, the long tenure of the outgoing city manager, and the opportunity for the next City Manager to help guide the city through meaningful growth.

This PositionCast™ is designed to help prospective candidates better understand the community, the organization, the role, the City Council’s expectations, and the leadership fit needed in Los Fresnos.

This role can be found at https://clearcareerpro.com/clear-news/los-fresnos-city-manager-posting

Chapters

00:00:00 Cold Open: Why Candidates Should Look at Los Fresnos
00:00:36 Introduction to the City Manager PositionCast
00:02:07 Mayor Alejandro Flores and His Connection to Los Fresnos
00:04:56 Leadership, Stewardship, and Council Priorities
00:08:34 Communication, Onboarding, and Early Expectations
00:10:27 City Services, Staff Leadership, and Organizational Culture
00:13:02 Community Growth, Schools, and Falcon Pride
00:18:11 Local Events, Culture, and Quality of Life
00:20:40 South Padre Island, Outdoor Life, and Regional Access
00:23:35 Infrastructure, Development, and Budget Priorities
00:26:32 Ideal Candidate Qualities and Leadership Fit
00:28:17 Kent Myers on Why This Opportunity Stands Out
00:34:28 Application Process, Candidate Communication, and Closing Thoughts

Purchase 540 Leadership by Michael Boese: https://amzn.to/4h43L3U

The views and opinions expressed on The Clear Voice do not necessarily reflect those of Clear Career Professionals. The discussion of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Career Opportunities
https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.