Ever feel like you’re drowning in tasks with no clear way out? In this episode, Michael and Vernon unpack what it really means to prioritize strategically as a leader. From Covey’s famous “rocks in a jar” to the chaos of Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory, they explore how planning, transparency, and agility can rescue your organization from overload. Discover practical tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and learn how to make prioritization a shared habit—not just a yearly report.

In this episode of the Engaged By Design podcast, Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith explore how mid-level leaders can transform chaos into clarity through intentional prioritization. Using memorable metaphors like Stephen Covey’s “Big Rocks” and the “I Love Lucy” chocolate factory sketch, they address the hidden costs of poor prioritization: burnout, missed deadlines, and mission drift. They break down: 

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[1] Stephen R. Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Revised and Updated: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (London: Simon & Schuster, Incorporated, 2020)

Books referenced in this episode

The technology we used

Welcome to the first episode of the Engaged By Design podcast! Your co-hosts, Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith, kick off the series with a conversation about who we are, why we started this podcast, and how we plan to help leaders thrive in the middle of change. In this premiere episode, you'll hear:

We share stories from decades of leadership experience in community colleges, private universities, online institutions, and national-scale innovation initiatives. Whether you're a department chair, director, faculty leader, or senior administrator, we know what it’s like to lead from the middle — and that’s who this podcast is for.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. There are so many podcasts you could be listening to — we're honored you chose ours.

If this episode sparked a new idea or helped you reframe a challenge, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. Future episodes will feature expert guests, live coaching moments, and real-world strategies to drive innovation and engagement in higher education.