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Listen "AuthenitiCity FM, Episode 15: Compass, Curiosity, and a Career Well-Lived with Craig Rapp"
Episode Synopsis
What does 48 years in local government teach you about leadership, reinvention, and staying authentically yourself? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Rapp, consultant, mentor, and creator of Compass Peer Groups, for a conversation that spans from his first job as a 25-year-old city administrator to his current work supporting the next generation of local government leaders.Craig takes us through two remarkable halves of his career: the first 22 years as a striver in city management, and the last 25 years as a seeker navigating consulting, face plants, learning curves, and ultimately building something meaningful. Along the way, we explore the unexpected connections between Canadian tuxedos, Gordon Lightfoot, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, bow ties, and the leadership frameworks that shaped Craig's journey.We dig into the messy middle of career transitions, the courage it takes to reinvent yourself at any age, the power of peer support, and why putting the ladder back down matters more than pulling it up. Craig shares wisdom about navigating failure, staying curious, and being a person of your time while still pushing forward into new territory (yes, even AI artifacts).This is a conversation about authenticity, longevity, and what it means to build a career that serves not just yourself, but the profession and the people coming up behind you.#LocalGovernment #Leadership #CareerReinvention #CityManagement #AuthenticityFM01:34 Craig Rapp's Journey into Local Government04:13 Career Transitions and Reinvention09:48 The Importance of Support Systems15:33 Authenticity in Professional Life22:36 The Connection to Ore Boats and Personal History25:54 Early Influences and Upbringing29:03 Navigating Political Challenges37:42 Lessons from Jesse Ventura's Tenure42:59 Courage in Leadership48:27 The Importance of Peer Support58:50 Compass Peer Groups and Their Impact01:01:06 The Power of Optimism in Leadership01:04:28 Peer Support: The Backbone of Resilience01:08:31 Real Stories of Peer Group Impact01:10:58 Improv and Leadership: A Unique Connection01:15:39 Imagining Life Beyond City Management01:21:17 Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders
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