I don’t think I’ve ever had someone tell me that a major inflection point in their career was the desire to wear slacks to work.

But here we are.

In this conversation, I sit down with Erika Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Credit Union 1, to explore the unlikely, adventurous arc of her leadership journey. 

From small-town barista to executive, from detours to Australia to “mad scientist mode,” and from overthinker to someone who intentionally creates space for others to grow.

Erika shares how cross-country skiing became both therapy and metaphor, why vulnerability is the real engine of leadership, and how she uses personality frameworks to better understand her team (and herself).

We dig into what it means to lead with clarity during transformation, why connection is the heartbeat of her work, and the moment she realized her job is ultimately about creating opportunities for others to thrive.

This episode is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you pair thoughtful speed with deep authenticity.

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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