37 Voices, One Common Thread: Hands in the Soil Leadership in Action

Every once in a while, it pays to pause—not to look at numbers or dashboards—but to look back at people.

Recently I took the time to read through the 37 recommendations written about me on LinkedIn. Each one stopped me for a moment. Not because of the kind words themselves, but because of what they represent: shared effort, earned trust, and meaningful collaboration.

Every one of those recommendations was written by someone who didn’t have to write it. They chose to—because somewhere along the line, we did something together that mattered.

That, to me, is what Hands in the Soil leadership is all about.
It’s about presence.
It’s about empathy.
It’s about getting close enough to the work—and the people—to leave the soil richer than you found it.

Leadership Reflected Through Others’ Words

“Andrew possesses a rare combination of creativity and analytical acumen that sets him apart… He fosters an environment of collaboration and open communication, empowering his colleagues to bring forth their best ideas and excel in their roles.”
— Lea Espy, CX Supervisor

“He was an awesome mentor to the team, teaching us about his experiences at past jobs that were effective. Highly recommended!”
— Sara Hutchinson, Director of Operations, NumHub

“Andrew is not only a great leader, but an exceptional mentor… His expertise in mentorship and team building would be an incredible asset to any company.”
— Patrick Taylor, Architect, Colony Builders

“Andrew has a unique blend of technical skills and strong marketing instincts, which have enabled him to perform effectively in multiple areas. He combines intelligence, communication, and execution—always delivering quickly and effectively. His ability to overcome challenges, even working remotely, with flying colors demonstrates great leadership and people skills.”
— Matt Tarkenton, President, Tarkenton Financial

“Andrew is one of those fairly rare individuals who are both highly intelligent, and highly personable… working with Andrew is both a pleasure, and very instructive.”
— Ken Burman, Co-Founder, DevelopHighRise

“Working with Andrew was one of the high points of my time with ATL. He is an incredible innovator with an endless supply of ideas and fantastic comedic timing! The excitement he both brought himself and inspired in those around him was a joy to see.”
— Derek Driedric, Oregon Judicial Department

“He built authentic relationships with employees and clients. His efforts created a happier and more productive team as well as a better product for our end user.”
— Heather Rensink, Former Teammate

“He is a great person to work with—a joy to be around, enthusiastic, and positive. He leads with enthusiasm and positivity, and he produces results.”
— Tyler Hamberger, Construction Professional

“Andrew went to work and built out two brand new custom websites… all while balancing the needs of the sales team and generating valuable leads. He was proactive, collaborative, and not afraid to stretch outside of his role.”
— Elizabeth Majorowicz, Director of Client Success

“Andrew is the type of person you want on your team: a service-oriented, honest, funny human being who works hard. Getting more and more rare to find and hire.”
— Vince LaVecchia, Founder, Small Counsel

What These Voices Say About Leadership

When I read through these, I don’t just hear compliments—I hear confirmation of what Hands in the Soil leadership looks like in practice:

• Observation: seeing clearly before acting.
• Empathy: building connection before correction.
• Regeneration: leaving people, brands, and teams better than they were.
• Presence: being close enough to feel the conditions of growth.
• Root Cause: solving what truly matters, not what’s convenient.
  

Those aren’t corporate virtues—they’re human ones. And when they show up consistently, trust takes root and growth follows.

—————

The Harvest

To everyone who’s written a recommendation—thank you.
To everyone I’ve worked with, learned from, or led—thank you.
And to those I haven’t yet met—I look forward to getting my hands in the soil with you someday.

Because success isn’t just measured in outcomes—it’s measured in the people who grow because you showed up.