In this episode, I sit down with Tara Landes, founder of Bellrock Benchmarking and a master of making leadership development feel both human and doable. We talk about the hidden costs of not delegating, the difference between delegation and dumping, and why most leaders accidentally train their teams to depend on them. Tara shares a framework for understanding growth stages—from … Read More

In a recent 10 day span I attended 4 graduations.  From a 3-hour marathon, to a crisp 60-minute sprint, I saw four people I love graduate from four different schools with one common denominator: everything. I’m sure this is going to sound a little cynical and act as the perfect reminder that I am aging rapidly, but when you hear … Read More

Some of you will think I’m crazy, but focusing your effort on creating an environment in which mistakes never happen is impractical. It’s like trying to go for a swim without getting wet. Here’s a better alternative: create an environment in which no mistakes are wasted. Mistakes are inevitable. Growth is optional. The worst kind of mistake is one that … Read More

Charlie Leonelli, the Chief Administrative Officer at MAC Federal Credit Union, joins Leadership Huddle to talk about leading with consistency, building trust through failure, and why he treats volleyball games like real-world social media. We explore the art of growing people at their own pace, embracing mistakes as data, and creating a culture where taking smart risks is safe—and expected. … Read More

When I was growing up – back in the dark ages before you could skip commercials – there were a series of ads on TV encouraging people to become foster parents. The message was simple: you don’t have to be a perfect parent to become a foster parent, you just have to care. It seems that a major impediment to … Read More

In this episode of Leadership Huddle, we’re joined by Elena Sudduth, General Manager of Interior Gas Utility, to talk about what it means to lead with curiosity, courage, and a deep belief in others. Originally from Moldova and now raising three boys in Fairbanks, Alaska, Elena shares how growing up in a different culture shaped her leadership lens—and how blending … Read More

You’re going to think I’m crazy for saying this, but helping your people grow doesn’t take a lot of time. Sure, it takes discipline and intentionality to show up when you don’t feel like it, but it doesn’t take as much time as you are afraid it will. You’re likely worried you need to make massive investments to make a … Read More

In this episode, I sit down with Travis Million, President and CEO of Golden Valley Electric Association, to talk about leadership that actually serves people — not just machines. Travis shares insights from his 25+ years in the utility industry, how growing up on a farm shaped his leadership approach, and why breaking down complex ideas into plain English is … Read More

I’ve been sitting here for a while now, trying to write this essay. Not procrastinating. Not distracted. Just…stuck. I have plenty of other things to do today, and every time I look at the clock it seems to have changed time zones. I’ve jotted half-thoughts, re-read old notes, written half an essay 3 times….but nothing is quite clicking. And then … Read More

What does it really take to create a culture where people feel safe enough to speak up—and bold enough to do it? In this insightful and laugh-filled episode, I sit down with Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky, author of Speak-Up Culture and longtime collaborator of Simon Sinek, to explore the nuances of what makes or breaks psychological safety at work. We unpack … Read More

The one glaring problem with assuming a posture of growth and forward motion is that it can be easy to focus exclusively on what is lacking without taking time to acknowledge the progress you’ve already made. You certainly have room to grow. We all do. But this is your friendly reminder that you’re doing better than you think. How do … Read More

In this episode of Leadership Huddle, I chat with Lael Oldmixon, Executive Director of the Education Trust of Alaska, to explore what it means to lead with clarity, community, and just the right amount of cardio. Lael shares lessons from her leadership journey and we talk about the mindset shift from doing it all yourself to truly leveraging your team, … Read More

The elevator in my hotel is incredibly noisy.  The elevator shaft constitutes the center of the tower, with each room wrapping around it, relatively equidistant.  Which means every room, on every floor, is the worst room in the joint.  The first night here I thought it was going to make me lose my mind. On night two I was much … Read More

Have you ever intersected with an idea that instantly and fundamentally changed how you operate? They are likely few and far between, but I can say with complete certainty that the song “Grudges” by Paramore changed my marriage for the better. In the first verse, singer Hayley Williams poses a couple fascinating questions to someone in her life: “Are you … Read More

I wonder if this might sound familiar to you: I love the idea of delegating until something breaks or things get really stressful. For example, I was recently navigating a particularly difficult circumstance in my printing company and was overwhelmed by the desire to swoop in and just fix all the things.  But swooping in and fixing all the things … Read More

It’s fascinating to me that most of us think we are unique and that our problems are special, but we’re all wrestling with the same handful of issues. Coaching leaders for nearly a decade has really driven home that the names and places change, but the challenges are mostly the same. One of the issues that has vexed almost every … Read More