380: Brent Trout: You Can't Do It All

Brent Trout: You Can't Do It AllHow the Manager's Job Changes as the Organization Grows Episode 380 of The HaltingWinter PodcastSponsored by Tyler Technologies The skills that make you successful leading a small organization aren't necessarily the same skills you need as the organization grows. Early in his career, Brent Trout was the city administrator of a community of roughly 900 people. Budget. Planning and zoning. Public works. Utilities. If something needed to happen, chances were Brent was involved. Today, as County Manager of Harnett County, North Carolina, Brent helps lead an organization spanning 25 departments. And somewhere along that journey, the job had to change. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Brent joins Seth to explore what happens when a manager has to move from doing and knowing everything to creating the clarity, accountability, and communication that allow other leaders to lead. Brent shares how Harnett County connects its strategic plan to performance measures and individual department business plans, why consistent communication is essential when leading a complex organization, and how he stays connected to department leaders without trying to run their departments for them. They also discuss an often-overlooked part of local government leadership: the experience residents have when interacting with their government. Because good customer service doesn't mean always saying yes. It means listening. Communicating clearly. Treating people with respect. And remembering that while local government professionals work with these issues every day, residents don't. About Brent TroutBrent Trout is the County Manager of Harnett County, North Carolina, and was named the 2025 County Manager of the Year by the North Carolina City & County Management Association. His more than 30-year local government career has taken him from managing a town of fewer than 1,000 residents to leading increasingly complex cities and county government, including serving as City Manager of Topeka, Kansas. This Episode is Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect With Seth Winterhalter Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com