#Innovation #Leadership #Teamwork #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

What if the secret to lasting innovation isn't working harder, but working at 85% capacity? What if the best leadership development happens around a smoker instead of a conference room? And what if the biggest barrier to breakthrough thinking is simply being too busy to think?

Join Phil, Corri, and Mike for a conversation with Nick Kittle—innovation expert, barbecue pitmaster, and the guy who's helped over 100 communities stop saying "that's how we've always done it." From building one of the first government innovation offices to creating team-building events that involve actual trust (with your brisket), Nick brings hard-won wisdom about making change stick.

We dig into the messy realities of innovation: Why scarcity and abundance are easier to navigate than the dreaded middle ground. How to spot hidden talent in your organization (especially when they don't see it themselves). The critical difference between innovation and efficiency that most people get backwards. And why the federal chaos might actually make local government more important than ever.

Plus: climbing 14,000-foot peaks for life lessons, the ethics problems stifling government partnerships, and a book full of made-up words that perfectly capture workplace frustrations we all feel but never name.

Whether you're trying to build something new, develop emerging leaders, or just figure out how to do important work without burning out, this episode delivers practical insights wrapped in refreshingly honest conversation.

Like, subscribe, and tell us about your own innovation wins and failures—we're here for the real stories, not the polished ones. This is sustainable change, AuthentiCity-style.

01:45 Sustainable Innovation: An Introduction

06:09 The Journey from Illinois to Colorado

13:35 Navigating the Middle Ground of Innovation

17:12 The Future of Local Government: Opportunities and Challenges

23:50 Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

32:18 Identifying Hidden Talent in Organizations

35:25 Balancing Commitment and Capacity

38:23 Innovation vs. Efficiency in Overworked Teams

46:33 Books That Shape Leadership Thinking

49:10 The Creative Process and Brainstorming

57:30 Climbing Colorado's 14ers: Lessons from the Mountains

01:00:29 Barbecue as a Team-Building Experience

01:18:15 Navigating Disruption in Local Government

01:22:32 The Power of Creativity in Language and Humor