#733 Building an Empowering Culture with James Childers, Flower Mound, TX
James Childers, town manager of Flower Mound, Texas, reveals a radical truth about leadership: the most powerful culture shift isn't about top-down mandates, but about leading with vulnerability and letting your team see your stumbles. In a profession where second-generation city managers are rare, Childers didn't just inherit a legacy—he had to redefine it. He shares how he turned a high-performing organization into a high-impact one not by fixing broken systems, but by creating psychological safety: weekly leadership meetings with 30+ staff, a 'Will of Fun' spinner app to spark engagement, and a culture where admitting mistakes is a leadership superpower. His most striking insight? The moment you stop trying to fill your father's or uncle's shoes, you finally become your own leader. Now, he's focused on a new mission: using performance metrics to prove the value of local government to residents who only engage when they're angry. His 'Flow Mo Convos' program and peer-to-peer recognition system—born from a staff development academy—are turning critics into fans by showing how every dollar spent translates to quality of life. Childers' journey from intern to town manager, shaped by a winding career and family legacy, underscores a counterintuitive truth: the best leaders aren't the ones who follow a straight path, but those who embrace detours. He didn't just land in a great job—he chose one where he could thrive without sacrificing his health, family, or authenticity.
Lead with vulnerability: Share your stumbles and mistakes openly to create psychological safety and set the tone for authentic team culture.
Build your leadership portfolio through mental reps: Observe, learn, and act as if you're already in the role, even when you're not.
Create psychological safety with structured inclusion: Host weekly leadership meetings with 30+ staff, including junior employees, to break down silos and foster collaboration.
Turn critics into fans through education: Use 'Flow Mo Convos' to proactively engage residents, especially those upset about developments, to explain the complexity of local government decisions.
Empower teams with autonomy: Launch in-house leadership development programs (like Flow More Growth Academy) to give staff ownership of initiatives, such as a peer-to-peer recognition system.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Legacy of Leadership: A Second-Gen City Manager's Journey
“It's not my job to fill big ass shoes. You just have to go your own way and I'm not my dad. I'm not my uncle. If anything, I'm probably a hybrid of the two of them.”
The Winding Path to the Top: Embracing Career Detours
Childers recounts his non-linear career journey—from HR generalist to city manager in Abilene and Irving—emphasizing that every role he thought he'd never take ultimately made him a better leader. He shares how he used 'mental reps' to prepare for leadership, observing city managers like a quarterback on the bench, and how he always conducted himself as if he were already in the role.
Building a Culture of Psychological Safety and Inclusion
“When the leader is being authentic, it gets people comfortable to be authentic.”
The Power of the 90-Day Plan: Learning Before Leading
Upon taking the role, Childers implemented a deliberate 90-day plan focused on learning the organization. He met with every director, asked for their 'crazy ass idea' under no-budget constraints, and used the insights to set a culture of collaboration and innovation. He emphasizes that he didn't inherit a broken system but a strong foundation, allowing him to focus on culture and strategic growth.
Turning Critics into Fans: The Flow Mo Convos Strategy
“Once they get educated, you know, it's that concept of turning enemies into fans. You know what I mean?”
“And what I just realized is that it's not my job to film, you know? You just have to go your own way and I'm not my dad. I'm not my uncle. If anything, I'm probably a hybrid of the two of them.”
“But I want a room full of people to say, man, James Childers made a positive impact on my career and my development as a leader.”
“And when the leader is being authentic, it gets people comfortable to be authentic.”
Host
Guest
Flower Mound
organization
James Childers
person
Ricky Childers
person
Terry Childers
person
Ben Kittleson
person
Flow More Growth Academy
organization
Flow Mo Convos
organization
Texas City Managers Association
organization
ICMA
organization
Tree Rebate Program
organization
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