425 Something To Contribute
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Matthew Johnson discuss their work in their communities, from work with the city to their own personal endeavours as well as how this work helps the community grow and retain the character that makes it unique.
Highlights
Why education in a community is important and how it has the potential to connect us.
Loving to serve.
Lead as those you look up to lead.
Quotes
“It’s a delicate balance between community growth and character, because both are necessary.”
“People don’t always know what questions to ask to even begin to find the answers they’re looking for.”
“It’s good honest work.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m curious to hear how you interact with your municipality? Do you notice the fine tuning going on in your local government and the facilitation work that goes on between the staff and your elected officials? Are you even paying attention to this because it matters.
You may not have alot of control over statewide or national government agencies and issues but in your little community, even a big community, you have something to contribute.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Matthew
Matthew Johnson is a city manager with 25 years of experience working at the intersection of leadership, public service, and communication. He helps leaders navigate difficult conversations when stakes are high and tensions are rising, especially in the complex environment of local government. Drawing from his real-world experience managing relationships between elected officials, staff, and the public, Matthew shares practical strategies that help leaders stay calm, communicate clearly, and turn disagreement into productive dialogue.
Be sure to check out Matthew’s LinkedIn!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!