July 23, 2024

Let’s Talk: How to Deliver a Difficult Message

Let’s Talk about How to Deliver a Difficult Message with Matt Lehrman on the Community Catalyst podcast.

Let’s Talk: How to Deliver a Difficult Message

“Better the hard truth, I say, than the comforting fantasy.”

                                                                 — Carl Sagan


“The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”

                                                                  — Anonymous


What is the hardest truth you’ve ever had to tell? What did you learn from the experience?


Inspired by recent headlines — though we need not discuss them directly — “Delivering Difficult Messages” is the theme for our next Local Leadership Chat, which I will be facilitating on Friday, August 2.


Whether you are a city manager dealing with elected officials or a city council member talking with voters, telling people something they don’t want to hear will always be one of the greatest challenges in leadership.


Local Leadership Chats are free to attend, but space is limited. RSVP NOW to secure your spot on Zoom for August 2.



Let’s Talk about How to Deliver a Difficult Message on the Community Catalyst podcast.
John London talks about How to Deliver a Difficult Message on the Community Catalyst podcast.

John W. London

Coach, Pastor and Councilman

I enjoyed talking with John London so much that I had to share our conversation in two parts. In our latest podcast episode, the Ironwood, Alabama, pastor, basketball coach and City Council Member talks about taking flak from constituents who want him to prioritize one district over the needs of the city as a whole.


Listen on Apple, Spotify, and all podcast platforms.


To share a story from your own leadership journey, APPLY HERE to become a guest.

LISTEN HERE



ABOUT THE PODCAST:  Local leaders everywhere are innovating ways to engage their communities, foster collaboration, and achieve significant goals. “Community Catalysts” brings you the inside story of mayors, council members, city managers, nonprofit CEOs, and other changemakers from a variety of backgrounds. Produced by Social Prosperity Partners and hosted by Matt Lehrman, the podcast offers a weekly dose of inspiration and practical advice for leaders committed to inclusive decision-making and excellence in governance.

Connect with Matt:


Speaker Don Scott, Virginia is on the Community Catalysts podcast

Speaker Don Scott, Virginia

By Matt Lehrman • July 1, 2025
Join Speaker Don Scott of Virginia on Community Catalysts for a deep and necessary reflection on what leadership looks like when everything feels like it’s in flux.
Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer Las Cruces, New Mexico

Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer Las Cruces, New Mexico

By Matt Lehrman • June 24, 2025
What happens when a city weaves care and compassion into the very fabric of government operations? In the latest episode of Community Catalysts, Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer of Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers a compelling answer.
Justin Wilson, Former Mayor of Alexandria, VI

Justin Wilson, Former Mayor of Alexandria, VA

By Matt Lehrman • June 16, 2025
What does it really take to lead a community through uncertainty, when resources are tight, trust is fraying, and the political climate feels like a minefield? In our newest Community Catalysts episode, we go deep with Justin Wilson, former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. In a candid conversation, Wilson speaks with rare openness about what local leadership looks like in this volatile moment—not in theory, but in practice.
More Posts