S11:E01 What Makes a Great Municipal Leader? with George CuffS11:E01 What Makes a Great Municipal Leader? with George Cuff
MuniCast
George Cuff shares five decades of municipal experience, talking about governance, leadership, and the council–CAO relationship as councils reach their mid-term. The conversation raises practical ideas for long-term planning, role clarity, and what genuinely makes a municipal leader effective.
42:47•16 Sept 2026
George Cuff on What Truly Makes a Great Municipal Leader
Episode Overview
- Councils at the halfway point of their term can benefit from a formal governance review to assess priorities, processes, and community connection.
- Focusing only on short-term wins and zero-tax increases can undermine long-term infrastructure and asset replacement needs.
- Clear separation between council’s governance role and the CAO’s management role is essential, reinforced through regular performance reviews.
- Adjusting council seating and meeting structures can reduce cliques, strengthen collective leadership, and give major issues proper attention.
- Mayors and councillors are encouraged to think carefully about succession, supporting new leaders rather than staying on simply out of habit.
“Zero-tax increase is a failure because that says to me we aren't setting money aside for what's absolutely obvious.”
He talks candidly about the halfway point of a council term and why this is the perfect time for a “governance upgrade”, asking tough questions like, “Are we simply surviving another term?” and “How are we convincing our citizens that we, in fact, are acting on their best behalf?” You’ll hear him challenge one of the most popular political promises around: “Zero-tax increase is a failure because that says to me we aren't setting money aside for what's absolutely obvious.” He argues that real leadership means planning for infrastructure and future generations, not just chasing short-term wins or “the latest shiny bobble”.
How can compelling narratives motivate and inspire others? Season 11 of MuniCast kicks off with a veteran voice in municipal leadership, George Cuff, returning to where the show began back in 2021. If you care about how councils actually lead, rather than just get through meetings, you'll find plenty to chew on here. George shares more than five decades of experience in local government, from playground leader to four-term mayor and nationally known governance consultant.
A big chunk of the conversation digs into the council–CAO relationship. George stresses role clarity, saying, “Your role is to provide good governance. My role is to provide good advice,” and urges councils to carry out regular, meaningful performance reviews based on trust, respect, and confidence instead of petty complaints.
There’s also practical, slightly cheeky advice: rotate council seating to avoid cliques, keep staff off the council table to underline governance versus management, and don’t announce re-election plans years in advance. Through it all, George mixes humour with straight talk, making complex governance ideas feel down-to-earth and usable. If you’re on council, thinking about running, or working with municipal leaders, this conversation offers plenty of food for thought about what truly makes a great municipal leader.
How might these ideas reshape the way you think about your role in your community?
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