Innovation Fatigue Is Real—And Worth Paying Attention To

In my conversations with city and county leaders across the country, one thing is clear: local governments are being asked to do more, faster, and with fewer resources. The pressure to modernize—through new technology, policies, and service models—is relentless. And while many of these changes are necessary and exciting, they can also come at a cost that doesn’t show up on a budget line: staff fatigue.

We all want to be agile, forward-thinking, and responsive to our communities. But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it relies on the capacity, resilience, and engagement of the people doing the work. When that capacity is stretched too thin, even the best ideas can stall—or worse, deepen frustration and burnout.

At SGR, we believe that real innovation is as much about how we lead as it is about what we change. It means slowing down long enough to understand the ripple effects of new initiatives, investing in leadership at every level, and building change management into the culture—not just the project plan.

We’re grateful to partner with the Alliance for Innovation (AFI), whose mission to equip local governments for future-ready leadership aligns closely with our own. Together, we’re helping local government leaders think not just about the next tool or policy, but about the systems and people that sustain meaningful progress.

If your organization is feeling the tension between big goals and limited bandwidth, you’re not alone. One of the most effective ways to regain clarity and momentum is to create intentional space for your team to regroup. Through customized leadership development programs and strategic retreats, we help local governments pause with purpose—aligning people, priorities, and progress in a way that sustains innovation over the long haul.

Darin Atteberry
Chief Executive Officer
SGR