I’m going to get plenty of hate in the comments, but here’s my take: Clarity is the most powerful lever leaders have to influence the success of their team. Ensuring your people have complete clarity about the desired outcome, their role in the work ahead, the timeline, and how their work interrelates to the work others are doing is the … Read More
The Minutes Matter with Amber Zins
When a COO admits she hates flying but plans the next trip before the wheels touch down, you know you’re in for a candid conversation. In this episode, I sit down with Amber Zins, Chief Operating Officer at Northrim Bank, to talk about building leaders by growing your own, setting clear guardrails, and giving people runway. Amber traces her path … Read More
I Know What’s Slowing You Down
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I really didn’t. But I just couldn’t help myself. On a recent camper trip, Nicole and I found ourselves across the path from a pair of couples with tents. On the morning of their departure it was fascinating to watch both couples go about dismantling their tents to pack everything into a pair of Jeep … Read More
Leaving Your Ego at The Door with Heather Handyside
Today’s episode features Heather Handyside, President and COO of Thompson & Co. Public Relations, who joins me to talk about leadership, culture, and making big career transitions. Heather’s career spans high-profile roles in government, corporate communications, and now agency leadership, and she brings a wealth of perspective on building strong teams and maintaining high standards while fostering genuine support for … Read More
Are you assuring your own failure?
A friend of mine* has recently been waking around 4AM and struggling to fall back asleep. I’m no sleep expert, but we chatted about how he responded to this nocturnal frustration and something struck me. Every time he woke up unexpectedly, he grabbed his phone and scrolled social media in an attempt to settle his mind and return to sleep. … Read More
Why Every Leader Needs to Think Like a Teacher with Luke Meinert
In this episode of the Leadership Huddle, I sit down with Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. With over two decades of experience in Alaska’s public schools, Luke brings both strategic clarity and a deep sense of humanity to a role that is equal parts challenge and opportunity. We talk about baseball as a … Read More
Kelly Clarkson is my dream girl
The other night I had this dream in which I realized I was married to Kelly Clarkson. There was a legitimate feeling of increased status and cachet in having such a direct connection to a rich, famous, superstar. Except there was one big problem. In addition to the fact that Dream Geoff had no recollection of ever having met Kelly, … Read More
Rethinking Publishing for Change-Makers with Jesse Finkelstein
In this episode, I talk with Jesse Finkelstein, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Page Two Books, a publishing firm that’s redefining what it means to bring a book to life. Jesse shares her journey from bilingual camp counselor to publishing executive, and why she and her co-founder built a company that treats authors like CEOs—with a C-suite behind them. We dig … Read More
Think like David Bowie
I can fall down a rabbit hole from time to time watching videos about music production. I love hearing about how a certain song uses a sample from a James Bond movie, but they reversed it and chopped it up and turned it into a hook that most people would never know wasn’t wholly original. And it’s wild to me … Read More
Inside Alaska’s Airport Ecosystem with Angie Spear
In this episode, I talk with Angie Spear, Director of the Alaska International Airport System, about what it really takes to run not one—but two—of the most vital airports in the state: Ted Stevens Anchorage International and Fairbanks International. Angie brings the energy and insight you’d expect from someone who never turns off her “airport radar”—whether she’s traveling or just … Read More
Breakthroughs are overrated
Once upon a time there was a couple named John and Jane and their marriage was in big trouble. They wanted to fix things, so they went to see a marriage counselor. The marriage counselor listened to their problems and advised them to wait 6-months until Valentine’s Day, go have a spectacular date – really pull out all the stops, … Read More
Lessons in Humility and Accountability with Marc Luiken
Marc Luiken has held leadership roles that span the skies, the state of Alaska, and the private sector—and in this episode, he brings a wealth of insight from all three. Marc began his career as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, later served as Alaska’s Commissioner of Transportation, and today directs business development at Michael Baker International. We … Read More
Every hero needs a guide (including you)
Luke Skywalker wouldn’t have saved a galaxy far, far away without Obi Wan Kenobi. Or Yoda. Neo wouldn’t have escaped the Matrix (and did whatever the hell he did in the second and third movies) without Morpheus. Do we really think Katniss and Peeta survive the Hunger Games without Haymitch – flawed as he was – as their guide? To … Read More
Coaching Your People For Grit And Growth with Anna Gould
In this episode, I sit down with Anna Gould, Director of Sales at GCI Communications and unofficial holder of the title “Person Most Likely to Know the Answer to Your Problem.” Anna’s career is a masterclass in growth through grit, humility, and relentless curiosity. From swapping physical tapes at her parents’ wireless cable company in Fairbanks to leading a statewide … Read More
One simple tweak, one very big difference
At the beginning of June I spent a week on a cruise ship, intentionally cut off from the internet. Before I left, I diligently tied up loose ends and set up my out of office email so that I wouldn’t leave anyone hanging. It was a blissful week of sun, sand, and sea. And naps. And then I came home … Read More
Leadership Lessons From A Marketing Mind with Dean Caravelis
This week on Leadership Huddle… I sit down with Dean Caravelis—Founder and CEO at Blezoo—to talk about what it really means to lead with intention, creativity, and a deep respect for both your team and your customers. Dean has spent nearly two decades helping brands show up in unforgettable ways, and he’s just released his first book, The Experience in … Read More