LaShon Ross | Developing Leaders in Local Government

Episode 54 of The Clear Voice is LIVE!

Summary

What does it take to develop strong leaders in local government, and why do so many high performers struggle when they move into leadership roles?

In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom, Clear Vice President and Host of The Clear Voice, is joined by Michael Boese, President of Clear Career Professionals, for a conversation with LaShon Ross, Deputy City Manager for the City of Plano, Texas.

With more than 30 years of experience in municipal government, LaShon shares practical insight on leadership development, accountability, and the human side of managing organizations that serve the public. The conversation explores the transition from individual contributor to supervisor, the importance of coaching and difficult conversations, and why technical competence alone is not enough to lead effectively.

LaShon also discusses how local governments can strengthen leadership pipelines, improve organizational culture, and better prepare the next generation of public servants. From accountability beyond the spreadsheet to communication, mentorship, and self awareness, this episode provides a clear and practical look at leadership in today’s public sector.

Key Topics

Leadership development in local government
Why high performers struggle in supervisory roles
Coaching and difficult conversations
Accountability in municipal government
Human capital challenges in local government
Communication and leadership effectiveness
Mentorship and leadership growth

About LaShon Ross

LaShon Ross is the Deputy City Manager for the City of Plano, Texas, with more than three decades of experience in local government. She has served in key leadership roles including Human Resources Director and Deputy City Manager, with responsibility for organizational development, employee relations, and executive leadership support.

After retiring from Plano in 2016, she worked as a professional development facilitator and leadership trainer before returning to the City of Plano in 2022 as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. She was appointed Deputy City Manager again in 2023.

Her work focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, and helping individuals understand their value beyond their work accomplishments.

Leadership Takeaways

Strong leadership requires more than technical ability. Leaders must be able to manage people, navigate conflict, and communicate effectively across an organization.

High performers are often promoted without being prepared for leadership, which can create challenges for both the individual and the organization. Intentional leadership development and coaching are critical to long term success.

Accountability in local government extends beyond financial oversight. It includes decision making, communication, and alignment with organizational values and community expectations.

Difficult conversations are a necessary part of leadership. Avoiding them can lead to performance issues and reduced trust within teams.

Why This Episode Matters

Local governments are facing increasing demands while managing workforce challenges and evolving expectations from their communities.

Developing strong leaders at every level is essential to maintaining effective, responsive organizations. This episode provides practical insight for professionals looking to grow into leadership roles and for organizations working to build stronger teams.

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

Clear Career Professionals is a Texas-based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States. Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders.

Clear’s approach, known as the Clear Way, is a candidate-focused recruiting model designed to attract both active and passive candidates while maintaining strong communication throughout the process. This includes consistent engagement with applicants, clear expectations, and a commitment to transparency for both candidates and hiring organizations.

In addition to executive search services, Clear provides leadership development and training, organizational reviews, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, promotional assessments, compensation studies, and strategic consulting. These services are built to help cities and counties strengthen internal operations, develop future leaders, and align organizational structure with community expectations.

Clear also produces The Clear Voice podcast and PositionCast™ episodes, which are designed to elevate leadership conversations and bring executive-level career opportunities to life. These platforms provide insight into local government leadership, organizational culture, and the real-world challenges facing today’s public sector executives.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and executive leadership teams seeking experienced professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes.

Website: https://clearcareerpro.com/
Career Opportunities: https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities/
Recruitment Services: https://clearcareerpro.com/recruitment/
Services: https://clearcareerpro.com/services/
The Clear Voice Podcast: https://theclearvoice.podbean.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro