This episode is proof that you don’t need a detailed map to have a fulfilling career if you lean into curiosity, meaningful relationships, and a mission bigger than yourself.

This week, I sit down with Tlisa Northcutt, President of the University of Alaska Foundation, to explore what it really looks like to grow into leadership over time. We talk about the power of asking great questions, why the best leaders don’t need to be the first to speak, and how a “shoulder-to-shoulder” approach transforms both teams and donor relationships.

Tlisa shares how her career evolved through opportunity and trust, what it means to move from “doer” to leader, and why empowering others, rather than just directing them, is where real impact happens.

This is a conversation about leadership that’s grounded, human, and deeply practical. If you’ve ever struggled to let go, speak less, or trust your team more… this one’s for you.

Connect with Tlisa Northcutt on LinkedIn

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My free PDF, “The 5 Secrets of Impossibly Effective Teams,” will show you the simple leadership moves that help teams unlock their full potential and deliver outsized results, without burning out. Grab your copy now at geoffwelch.com/secrets