July 30, 2024

Otis White on your Day 1 priorities

Otis White on your Day 1 priorities with Social Prosperity Partners.

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.



Otis White on your Day 1 priorities on the Community Catalyst Podcast.
Otis White on your Day 1 priorities.

Otis White

Founder, Civic Strategies

My friend Otis White, formerly the President of Civic Strategies in Atlanta, has been an influential voice in strategic planning for decades. Now that he’s semi-retired, I am so grateful that he continues to share his wisdom on “Community Catalysts.”


In our monthly check-in, Otis sizes up the learning curve for new Mayors and Council Members and how they should prioritize their time immediately after taking office. After that, we dip into the “Civic Strategies” podcast archive to hear his conversation with Denise Brinson about Suwanee, Georgia, and its 2002 decision to build an entire new downtown.


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:


Mayor Derrick Wood, Town of Dumfries, Virginia

Don’t Be Right. Be Understood.

By Matt Lehrman • March 31, 2026
A reluctant mayor’s journey from barbecue stand to town leadership, and the hard-earned lesson that success isn’t about being right, it’s about helping people see why it matters.
Social Media Isn’t the Problem. Our Approach Is.

Social Media Isn’t the Problem. Our Approach Is.

By Matt Lehrman • March 24, 2026
Social media isn’t the problem—our approach is. In this candid conversation, we reframe civic dialogue online, offering practical insights for local leaders to foster connection, trust, and meaningful engagement.
Sam Toles, founder of CiviSocial

Rethinking Social Media

By Matt Lehrman • March 24, 2026
Sam Toles, founder of CiviSocial, has spent years navigating the mechanics of social media platforms—first as a media executive and later as a city council member who experienced firsthand the pressures local leaders face online.
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