Everyone Gets This Wrong

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

Creating a Culture People Believe In with Travis Million

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

This Should Be Working. It’s Not. Now What?

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

Creating a Culture Where People Actually Speak Up with Stephen Shedletzky

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

You’re doing better than you think

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

The workaround is not the solution

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

They become what you highlight

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

You are not the A-Team

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

We need to talk

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

This meeting could have been a fistfight

Some of my favorite people spend most of their workdays in meetings. Meeting after meeting after meeting.  End to end for eternity, with some overlapping meetings thrown into the mix for good measure. Perhaps you can relate. So, when I came across a sign recently that said, “THIS MEETING COULD HAVE BEEN A FISTFIGHT,” I said a quick prayer for … Read More

How to be a great boss

A Proverb was referenced in church recently that I can’t stop thinking about.(FYI: This essay has nothing to do with religion) Proverbs 3:6 says, “Submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” That last part sounds like something a good leader would prioritize, doesn’t it? And yet, through the years I’ve worked with so many exasperated professionals who … Read More

Is it time for a pit stop?

NASCAR drivers – athletes with the stated purpose of beating all the other racers to the finish line – do the strangest thing during their races: they stop. Instead of pressing forward relentlessly, they take a moment to refuel and swap tires – a pit stop – so they can be most effective in the remaining laps. Driving on worn … Read More

What part do your people play?

Have you ever seen the master score an orchestra conductor uses?  It is an overwhelming document that contains the music for every instrument in the orchestra and is usually covered in handwritten notes. It’s the conductor’s job to know the inner workings of every part being played and to fully understand how they interact as the piece unfolds. This is … Read More

Are you trying too hard?

A few years ago my dad and I built a shed on my property in the west hills of Fairbanks. I got a few quotes from contractors but decided it would be a fun project to tackle with my dad, and I could use the money I’d save to pick up some new tools that would serve me on dozens … Read More

Slow down, do it again

A few years ago I took piano lessons for about 4 months. It changed my life. That might sound sarcastic given the abbreviated amount of time spent, but I’m being quite serious. I ended those lessons because of a scheduling conflict, not because I learned it all in 4 short months, but two simple instructions my teacher used have stuck … Read More