I was sure this interview was going to be awkward… In this episode, I sit down with workplace performance expert, speaker, and author of “Good Awkward,” Henna Pryor to unpack why discomfort, uncertainty, and “butterflies” are not obstacles to growth, but signals that you’re doing something that matters. We talk about why awkwardness isn’t a personality trait, how leaders accidentally … Read More
You can’t trust AI
A few months ago I needed to thaw a roast and it was the exact moment my relationship with AI started breaking down. Not knowing the best way to thaw this roast or how long it would take, I asked ChatGPT for some help. I gave it the size of the roast, the temp of my freezer, the temp of … Read More
The Speed of Trust in Real Life with Dan White
Dan White is a firm believer that the single biggest accelerant, and the biggest tax, for leaders is trust. In this conversation with former UAF Chancellor Dr. Dan White, we dig into what trust really looks like in practice. Not as a lofty ideal, but as a daily discipline. Dan shares how self-trust becomes the foundation for every other level … Read More
Don’t be the Grim Reaper of joy
When my daughter texted Nicole and I to say she had gotten a 98% on her final presentation, we were ecstatic. But before we could respond we were met with a flurry of follow up texts squarely focused on the remaining 2%. Which was ridiculous, but also incredibly familiar. Leaders of all stripes fall into a similar trap. We forget … Read More
Showing up is enough
This is my 52nd essay of 2025. I showed up every Sunday. I showed up on the Sundays when I knew exactly what I wanted to say. And I showed up on the Sundays when I wasn’t quite sure what to say. Because showing up isn’t about being perfect or having it all figured out, it’s about contributing. Your people … Read More
Christmas Leadership Huddle Remix
Ummm, tomorrow is Christmas. Perhaps you’re listening to this while you are finishing up your Christmas shopping, but it’s more likely you’re hearing this just after the holiday because why wouldn’t you be listening to Christmas music while you finish your shopping? In this Leadership Huddle remix episode I’m sharing clips from 5 interviews from earlier this year. Maybe you … Read More
Why do all the loners hang out together
I just got back from a trip to 1995. Through the power of my magic snowblower, and a fully charged set of Airpods, I spent an hour listening to some of my alternative rock favorites from the early 90’s while clearing copious amounts of frozen precipitation from my driveway. Smashing Pumpkins, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana… They were … Read More
Balancing Courage and Care with Erica Kemp
What if your greatest leadership power isn’t in having all the answers, but in asking better questions? In this conversation with Erica Kemp, Vice President of Branch Administration at Global Credit Union, we explore how intentional presence, trust, and curiosity create powerful leadership cultures, especially across dispersed teams. Erica shares how she balances courage with care, empowers experimentation within safe … Read More
Are you waving this leadership red flag?
If you find a leader who thinks they can maximize their potential without correction and encouragement from others, run. And if YOU are that leader, it’s time to stop holding yourself back. Because your blind spots are, by definition, things you will never be able to see on your own. No amount of self awareness will ever reveal your blind … Read More
How Ownership Transforms a Team with Monique Love
When Monique Love joined Alaska Auto Rental, she thought she was signing up for a short-term gig. And then she forgot to leave. In this episode, I sit down with Monique Love, Operations Director at Alaska Auto Rental and a lifelong champion of servant leadership. We talk about her unexpected journey from running Frostbite Foods to guiding a rapidly evolving, … Read More
The pain is absolutely necessary
I hate to be the one to break this to you, but the pain is necessary. Think about the most meaningful, positive changes you’ve made in your life. Now imagine you have two buckets in which to collect these important inflection points. One bucket is labeled “I did it because it just seemed like a good idea.” The other bucket … Read More
Building Teams That Thrive Without You with Nickole Conley
When I was installing a car stereo in Nickole Conley’s car 25 years ago I had absolutely no clue I’d eventually find myself interviewing her for my leadership podcast. Because what was a podcast? But here we are. Today Nickole is the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer for the University of Alaska System after an eclectic career path at the … Read More
I just can’t do this
A friend recently sent me some songs and asked me to play drums on them. Along the way he sent a few reference tracks, finished songs from popular artists that could illustrate the mood he wanted me to capture. I listened to one of them and then told him: I can’t do that. I offered alternative approaches I could effectively … Read More
Thanksgiving Leadership Huddle Remix
I have a special treat for you today. Because this episode premieres on the day before Thanksgiving, I didn’t want to release a brand new interview that might get short shrift as people are heading into the holiday weekend. So, I’m doing a Leadership Huddle remix episode and sharing clips from 5 interviews from earlier this year. Maybe you … Read More
Be the same person every day
Here’s a suggestion you never knew you needed: Be the same person every day. You can change and grow over time, but your people need you to lead with a consistent demeanor day-to-day. Don’t be a fun uncle/aunt one day and a strict parent the next. Don’t rally the troops around a great idea only to completely shift gears in … Read More
From Control to Connection with Donnie Hayes
Donnie Hayes thought was going to be a dentist, but his friends knew better. Instead Donnie went on to become a Parks Director, now the Director of Parks and Recreation for Missouri City, Texas, and his whole world changed for the better. In this conversation we explore what leadership looks like when joy and service are at its core. Donnie … Read More