When the Mob Comes for You: How City Managers Can Lead Through Cancel Culture and Public Attacks

In local government, most controversies come and go. A budget decision ruffles feathers. A development project sparks debate. A zoning change draws a crowd. That’s all part of the work.

But there’s a different kind of storm—one that many city managers never expect, yet more and more are experiencing. It’s the moment when criticism stops being about policy and becomes about you as a person. When someone decides that you, not the issue, are the problem.

And once that line is crossed, the nature of the job changes. Leadership becomes survival.

As I explore in Episode 14 of the Gov360 podcast, this is a growing trend in city halls across the country, and it’s reshaping the realities of public service.

The Shift From Policy Debate to Personal Attack

City managers are trained to expect conflict. It comes with making tough decisions and supporting the long-term interests of the community.

But what many aren’t prepared for is the moment when:

• Your name becomes a talking point

• Your reputation becomes ammunition

• Your motives become a narrative

• Your character becomes a target

This isn’t disagreement. It’s not even passionate civic engagement. It’s a form of local-government cancel culture—and it’s faster, harsher, and more personal than many outside the profession realize.

In my own experience, an organized anti-growth group in Yucaipa made me the focus of a coordinated effort long before I even walked through the door. That’s the reality for many managers today: the battle begins before the work begins.

What “Cancel Culture” Really Looks Like in City Hall

City Managers and Cancel Culture - At the national level, cancel culture often involves viral clips, national media, and social media storms. In a city hall environment, it’s quieter, slower, and far more insidious.

Here’s what it looks like in practice:

• Facebook groups crafting false narratives

• Public comments used as weekly attacks rather than feedback

• Public records requests aimed at digging, not transparency

• Watchdog pages run by individuals with agendas, not accuracy

• Elected officials distancing themselves under pressure

• Community factions mobilizing against the city manager personally

There’s no hashtag. No trending topic.

Just a consistent, grinding erosion of trust—often built on misinformation, fear, or the belief that the city manager stands in the way of a particular vision for the city.

And the consequences extend far beyond the workplace.

The Hidden Cost of Being a Public Figure in Local Government

We talk a great deal about the mechanics of governance:

budgets, capital projects, economic development, labor negotiations.

What we don’t talk about enough is the human cost when a city manager becomes the focal point of controversy:

• Sleepless nights

• Strain on your marriage

• Anxiety before council meetings

• Isolation from colleagues

• Diminished health

• Constant hypervigilance

One of the most heartbreaking moments in my career was watching my wife break down listening to the attacks directed at me—attacks based on false narratives created by people who had never even met me.

There’s no handbook for that. No graduate program prepares you for what happens when your family becomes collateral damage.

The City Manager’s Paradox: Stay Silent, or Defend Yourself?

The profession teaches a set of norms rooted in stability and neutrality:

• Stay above the politics

• Don’t respond publicly

• Don’t push back

• Don’t correct misinformation

• Let the council speak

• Let the work speak for itself

It’s a noble theory, and in many contexts, it’s the right approach.

But what happens when the misinformation becomes the dominant narrative? When silence fuels the fire? When the council is quiet? When the public only hears one version of the story?

This is one of the great dilemmas facing today’s city managers—and one of the core themes of Episode 14.

Five Strategies Every City Manager Should Master Before the Storm Hits

These are not theoretical. They come from lived experience, and they apply to anyone leading in a politically charged environment:

1. Build Trust Equity Early

Visibility and connection are your greatest defense. It’s harder to demonize someone the community knows personally.

2. Document Everything

Not to fight back, but to protect yourself and maintain clarity when narratives twist.

3. Communicate Carefully but Consistently

Silence creates a vacuum—and vacuums get filled. Your leadership voice must be present, even in difficult moments.

4. Cultivate a Circle of Truth Tellers

You need people who will give you honest feedback, defend you when needed, and remind you who you are when the noise gets loud.

5. Know When to Walk Away

Leaving isn’t weakness. Sometimes it’s the healthiest, most strategic decision you can make for yourself and your family.

If You’re in This Situation Right Now

Many local government professionals are quietly navigating these storms alone. Some are sitting in their cars before council meetings, summoning the courage to walk inside. Others are carrying the weight of attacks that have nothing to do with their work.

If that’s where you are today, here’s what I want you to know:

You are not alone.

You are not failing.

And you will find a healthier, more supportive environment again.

There is life after the storm. There is purpose after the pain. And there are communities that value strong, principled leadership.

Why This Matters for the Future of Our Profession

The rise of localized cancel culture has major implications:

• It affects who applies for city manager positions

• It accelerates burnout and turnover

• It undermines stable governance

• It deters talented people from advancing in the profession

If we want strong, ethical, courageous leadership in local government, we must confront this trend head-on—openly, honestly, and without stigma.

City managers are human beings.

Their families are real people.

And the future of our profession depends on protecting both.

If you want to go deeper into this topic, Episode 14 of Gov360 explores:

• How disinformation campaigns form

• Why they’re so effective

• What city managers can do to protect themselves

• How to keep your leadership intact under attack

• What this means for the next generation of public administrators