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 heard them months ago and this will spark a fresh insight, or maybe you missed them and this will prompt you to go back and revisit the entire conversation. Either way, these are short, power packed segments that are sure to prompt valuable insights for you. 
 The first clip comes from Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Superintendent Luke Meinert, who’s doing the work at a scale most of us can barely imagine. 33 schools spread across a district the size of New Jersey. In this clip, Luke talks about the power of distributed leadership, communicating transparently through hard decisions, and why clear, simple goals matter in a complex system. He also opens up about the human side of the job, from criticism to connection, and why the best leadership lessons still come from classrooms.
Next You’re going to hear from Nicole Welch, Chief Human Resources officer for Foundation Health Partners, whose take on leadership blends perspective, humility, and a deep commitment to supporting the people who support the people. Plus she’s my wife. In this clip, she talks about managing stress with a long view, shifting from control to trust, and redefining HR as a true partner rather than a police force. Nicole also opens up about feedback, relationships, and what it really takes to serve a mission-driven organization.
Here’s a segment from my conversation with Heather Handyside, President of Thompson & Co. Public Relations who has a gift for combining high standards with a whole lot of humanity. In this clip, she talks about the power of shared expectations, why good judgment and low ego matter, and how leaders can create environments where people take ownership without fear. Heather also digs into generational shifts, work-life balance, and the grace required to help new talent grow. 
Up next, you’ll hear from the CEO of Blezoo, Dean Caravelis, who leads with an unshakeable belief that nothing in a company is ‘beneath’ the person at the top. In this clip, he talks about service as a leadership style, staying connected to both customers and the team, and the constant balancing act between being hands-on and accidentally stepping on people’s toes. Dean also digs into how fast-changing environments force leaders to adapt without losing stability.
And finally, here’s a clip from my conversation with Brock Anundsen, who reminded me that great leaders aren’t powered by titles, they’re powered by reflection. In this clip, Brock talks about returning to the basics, sharpening old tools, and building a culture where collaboration beats command-and-control. He also digs into why SMART goals still matter, how great teammates re-energize a vision, and why micromanagement is the fastest way to kill joy. 
As with most processes, sorting through these conversations went a little faster this time around. By new years this is going to be a breeze…and then I won’t do it again until November and I’ll be back to square one. HA!
Don’t forget that you can go back and revisit any of the nearly 30 interviews I published this year whenever you need a little inspiration. Just go to geoffwelch.com/podcast or search for Leadership Huddle in your favorite podcast player. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a useful insight. And do a friend a favor and share this episode with them.

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