Guest Contact Information
Alison Niermann
Founder & Managing Partner
Tilley Partners
Tilley Partners
March 3, 2026
Alison Niermann: Stop Extinguishing Your Spark at Work
Episode 70
“If you can’t staff it, you can’t sell it.”
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Alison Niermann: Stop Extinguishing Your Spark at Work
Episode 70
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“Everybody has a light inside of them, and you have a choice. You can either use lighter fluid or an extinguisher. Same thing goes with everything. Same with people's talents. You can either light it up or you can extinguish it.”
In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Alison Niermann, founder and CEO of Tilley Partners. Alison is an executive recruiter and leadership advisor who helps organizations hire the right people and build teams that actually work. They talk about how to recognize your true professional value, how great leaders hire differently, and why protecting your spark at work changes everything.
This episode is for professionals ready for growth, leaders responsible for hiring, and anyone questioning their next career move. You will learn how to clarify what makes you valuable, how to show that value in conversations and interviews, and what strong hiring and culture look like behind the scenes. After listening, you will be able to approach your career or your team with clearer focus and make smarter decisions about where you work and who you hire.
Show Notes
⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro to She Lift Project Podcast
0:24 Meet Alison Niermann and Tilley Partners
3:28 What executive search really involves
6:56 Understanding company culture and hiring fit
10:35 Hiring mistakes and AI generated resumes
12:22 How the recruiting process really works
15:43 The “One Sheeter” career clarity exercise
17:48 Helping professionals see their true value
21:20 Leadership, strengths, and building strong teams
25:09 How leaders create real workplace culture
30:16 Why networks matter, especially in St. Louis
34:47 The changing job market and hiring trends
41:51 Working across departments and building influence
45:13 Alison’s Hiring to Thrive framework
47:29 The PATH leadership model explained
54:20 The story behind the name Tilley Partners
59:11 Why people are the real product in business
1:02:00 Helping employees connect to purpose
1:04:56 How to connect with Alison
Content Notice
This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.
Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
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