In this episode of The Leaderful Podcast, we sit down with Mike Derricott, a seasoned municipal executive and former Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cochrane, to explore the realities of leading complex public-serving organizations.

Drawing on his experience guiding rapidly growing municipalities, Mike shares candid insights about leadership under pressure - where competing stakeholder expectations, rapid growth, and public accountability collide. From navigating the tension between collaboration and decisiveness to building cultures of accountability in human-centred organizations, this conversation explores what it really takes to lead when the work is messy, political, and deeply consequential.

Together, we unpack the subtle dynamics that shape leadership teams: the discomfort of using power responsibly, the risks of consensus-driven decision-making, and the importance of creating clear expectations for behaviour and performance.

This conversation moves beyond leadership theory and into the practical realities of building mature, high-performing teams in complex systems.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why consensus-based decision making can quietly erode accountability

• The hidden risks of prioritizing process over outcomes in public organizations

• How leaders can balance collaboration with decisive action

• Why effective teams must develop a tolerance for “messiness” and discomfort

• The difference between welcoming people and accepting all behaviours

• Why accountability is one of the greatest forms of respect a leader can offer

If you lead in government, nonprofits, or any mission-driven organization, this episode offers grounded wisdom about building cultures that are both human-centred and high-performing.

Learn more about The Co. → a leadership development community for impact-conscious and power-curious leaders.