When you’re in the chair—whether as an Athletic Director, head coach, or top leader—everything starts and stops with you. Most books don’t prepare you for that reality. Leading means holding steady when the boat feels like it’s tipping and people are looking for direction.

In this episode of Five with Fry, I talk with Allison Kern, Associate VP and Director of Athletics at Cal State East Bay, about what leadership really demands. We talk about thriving in discomfort, making hard conversations part of everyday culture, and staying committed to your vision even when it feels unpopular. Allison also shares how solitude is part of the role and why trusting yourself matters.

We dig into how communication reflects your view of others, how to identify the compromises you can live with, and why the right fit matters more than taking every opportunity.

If you’re leading now or preparing for that role, this conversation offers an honest look at the weight of leadership and what it takes to create stability, clarity, and trust.