181: Bridgette Gransden: The Price of Perfection: Leading Through Grace, Not Grit Alone

Show Notes: Bridgette Gransden – The Price of Perfection: Leading Through Grace, Not Grit AloneEpisode 181 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Overview In this honest and deeply human episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Bridgette Gransden, County Administrator of Midland County, Michigan, and current President of the Michigan Municipal Executives Association. Bridgette's story is one many leaders will recognize: straight-A student, valedictorian, the one who always showed up early, worked the hardest, and kept pushing. But beneath the drive for excellence was a mounting cost—one that eventually surfaced in her health, her self-worth, and her ability to rest. In this candid conversation, Bridgette opens up about the tension between high performance and inner peace, and how she's learning to lead through grace, self-awareness, and strength-based leadership instead of just grit and pressure. Whether you're a municipal leader struggling to let yourself slow down or someone searching for a more sustainable way to lead others without losing yourself, this episode is a must-listen. Episode Highlights: The Hidden Cost of Overachievement How early success patterns fueled Bridgette's leadership but also drove her toward burnout "If I'm Not Achieving, Am I Worth Anything?" A powerful reflection on tying self-worth to performance and productivity Title ≠ Value Why Bridgette believes leadership should come from every level of the organization Strengths-Based Leadership in Practice How the VIA Character Strengths assessment transformed her team's self-awareness, communication, and collaboration The Role of Kindness, Humor, and Hope Bridgette's five core leadership strengths and how she's learned to lead with them unapologetically Mental Health and Grace in Leadership Why seeing a psychiatrist changed the way she leads and how she's learning to give herself grace without letting go of care for others From Dow to County Government Why local government matters deeply, especially in "company towns" where the public sector's role is often misunderstood Connect with Bridgette Gransden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-gransden Michigan Municipal Executives: https://www.mme.org/ Connect With Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions: We help local government leaders build thriving cultures and resilient teams through transformative keynotes, workshops, coaching, and community. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com Upcoming Keynotes: 2025 South Carolina APWA Chapter Annual Conference June 24 | Spartanburg, SC Details at SCAPWA 2025 Kentucky League of Cities Conference & Expo September 24 | Owensboro, KY Details at KLC 2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 4 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is where municipal leaders grow together through weekly podcasts, curated book insights, and a nationwide peer community focused on real leadership, real culture, and real conversations. Start your FREE 7-day trial and get 20% off with code PODCAST Join the MLDC