Engaged By Design

Episode 8 

MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education
Chapter 8 - How might you?

In this final episode of the MACRO Leadership podcast series, Michael and Vernon take listeners on a practical journey through applying all five elements of the MACRO framework—Match, Assign, Coach, Reflect, and Ovation—to a high-impact institutional initiative: redesigning the First-Year Experience (FYE).

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the FYE is a strategic project that demands cross-functional leadership
• How to match the right team members based on passion and perspective
• How to assign clear roles and responsibilities for momentum
• How coaching—not just supervision—helps people grow through complexity
• Why reflection is essential to course-correct in real time
• How meaningful ovation builds trust, recognition, and a culture of care

Listener Challenge:

Choose one initiative you’re leading or supporting right now. Ask yourself: Where am I strong in MACRO? Where might I be skipping a step? Then use the worksheet to lead with intention.

Affiliate Links: 

Books referenced in this episode 

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP   

The technology we used 

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC  

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb 

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

Episode 7 

MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education
Chapter 7 - Ovation

In the final episode of the MACRO Leadership podcast series, Vernon and Michael explore the “O” in MACRO: Ovation—the practice of authentic, values-aligned recognition. They dig into Gallup research showing that only 27% of employees feel regularly recognized at work, despite the fact that frequent praise correlates with dramatically higher engagement.

Michael shares real stories from his leadership experience, like writing weekly handwritten thank-you notes, and explores how recognition practices can foster connection, morale, and momentum in higher education and beyond.

Whether you're managing from the middle or guiding change from the top, this episode will help you give recognition that sticks.

• 00:00 – Welcome and final stop on the MACRO Leadership journey
• 02:00 – Why Ovation brings closure and builds momentum
• 03:30 – Gallup Q12 insights: Only 27% feel regularly recognized
• 05:30 – How recognition affects retention and the bottom line
• 07:00 – Leadership behaviors that create a culture of gratitude
• 08:30 – Michael’s story: Friday handwritten thank-you notes
• 11:00 – Why specific, timely, and values-based praise works best
• 15:30 – Avoiding generic praise and tailoring Ovation to personality
• 18:00 – Peer recognition, CliftonStrengths, and 'catching people doing something right'
• 20:00 – Three ways to build better Ovation habits
• 24:00 – Reflection questions and next steps for leaders

• Recognition isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership responsibility.
• Specific, values-aligned Ovation builds meaning and momentum.
• Handwritten notes can have a lasting impact and inspire others to do the same.
• Public vs. private recognition should be tailored to individuals.
• Peer-to-peer Ovation strengthens team culture and trust.
• Systems don’t have to be big—they just need to be intentional.

1. When was the last time you were recognized for your work? What impact did that have?
2. When was the last time you recognized someone else? What happened as a result?
3. What one Ovation habit will you build into your leadership this week?

• Gallup Q12 Survey: https://www.gallup.com/394373/indicator-employee-engagement.aspx 
• MACRO Leadership Book: engagedbydesign.org/macro-leadership
• Engaged By Design Consulting: engagedbydesign.com/consulting 

Is your recognition strategy helping or hurting your team culture? We’d love to help you design an Ovation system that works. Visit https://engagedbydesign.com to schedule a consultation.

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the Engaged By Design podcast. And tag us with your own Ovation practices—we’d love to celebrate with you.

Affiliate Links: 

Books referenced in this episode 

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP   

The technology we used 

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC  

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: 

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

Episode 6

MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education
Chapter 6 - Reflect

In this episode, Vernon and Michael explore the fourth principle of the MACRO Leadership model: Reflect.

• Why reflection is a leadership imperative—not a luxury
• Michael’s story of using Agile SCRUM and reflection cycles to improve student success and team alignment
• Understanding the Diffusion of Innovation curve and its role in leading change
• Creating a psychologically safe space for team reflection
• Ground rules for effective team dialogue
• Tools and frameworks including Plus/Delta and the Sailboat Exercise
• How to embed reflection into your leadership rhythm

Reflection Questions:

1. What reflection tools and cadences might you use to reflect on your own leadership?
2. What would it take to introduce a Plus/Delta or a Sailboat activity into your next team meeting?
3. How do you create a culture where it's safe to reflect candidly and constructively?

Note: For a limited time, podcast listeners can get a free copy of the MACRO Leadership e-book by submitting a request at the website: engagedbydesign.com/macroleadershipbook

Music: The Buccaneer's Haul by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Affiliate Links

Books referenced in this episode 

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP   

The technology we used 

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC  

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb 

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

Episode 5

MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education
Chapter 5: Coach

In this episode of the Engaged By Design podcast, Michael and Vernon unpack the “Coach” step of the MACRO Leadership framework. They share personal stories of transformative coaching, explore the difference between coaching and mentoring, and introduce the practical FRIES method for performance coaching.

Whether you lead a team, manage projects, or want to support your people more intentionally, this conversation will help you coach with clarity and confidence. Download the free FRIES Coaching Tool and start coaching better conversations today.

🎧 Highlights:

• The difference between coaching, mentoring, supervising, and teaching
• How to coach people through projects
• Why coaching is essential for strategic success
• How to use the FRIES model in any 15-minute check-in

Affiliate Links:

Books referenced in this episode

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP 

The technology we used

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC 
• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb 

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

🎙️EPISODE 4

MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education
Chapter 4: Assign

In this episode of the Engaged By Design podcast, Michael and Vernon explore the second step in the MACRO Leadership model: Assign. Even the best match can struggle if the assignment isn’t clear. Learn how clarity, structure, and purpose in your assignments can unlock momentum and prevent project drift.

We share cautionary tales from Boeing and Google, introduce the PPP model (Problem, Path, Payoff), and explain how AMP (Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose) and the 5 Elements of a Strong Assignment work together to help teams thrive.

Plus, we offer tools and templates you can start using right away to assign with clarity, not control.

KEY TOPICS

Theme: Clear delegation and assignment design
MACRO Leadership Step A: Assign
Featured Models: PPP, AMP, 5 Elements
Real-World Examples: Boeing 737 MAX, Google’s no-manager experiment, Pixar Braintrust

Mentioned Book: Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What project are you assigning this week?
     2. How could you apply the PPP brief?
     3. How can you “AMP up” your assignment?
     4. Have you defined the five elements for clarity?

🔗 AFFILIATE LINKS 

Books referenced in this episode

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP 

The technology we used

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC 
• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb 

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

In this episode of Engaged By Design, Vernon interviews Michael about the first step in the MACRO Leadership framework: Match. Drawing from a personal story of an international student exchange early in his career, Michael illustrates what it really means to match people to projects in a way that builds confidence, accelerates team growth, and reduces risk. Learn how to assess strengths, understand motivation, and design teams that thrive. Whether you're leading a college initiative, an academic department, or a cross-functional design team, this episode offers practical insights and tools—like CliftonStrengths—to help you make better matching decisions.

• Why matching is foundational to agility and innovation
• The story of “Hands Across the Border” and leadership growth
• How to assess transferable skills and passions
• Using tools like MBTI and CliftonStrengths for effective matching*
• Avoiding common pitfalls: assumptions, oversizing, misalignment
• How to form effective project teams with diverse strengths

1. Are your team members matched to work that energizes them?
2. What clues might you be missing about misalignment?
3. How do your own strengths and preferences influence your matching choices?

SUBSCRIBE & SHARE

Think of one team member and one project that may be misaligned. What small adjustment could you make today? Then share this episode with a colleague who’s building a team.

*Gallup, CliftonStrengths, StrengthsFinder, and the CliftonStrengths 34 Themes of Talent are trademarks of Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication also includes copyrighted content owned by Gallup, Inc. All Gallup intellectual property is used herein under a licensing agreement. The non-Gallup information you are receiving has not been approved and is not sanctioned or endorsed by Gallup in any way. Opinions, views, and interpretations of CliftonStrengths are solely the beliefs of Michael Cottam, the author of this publication.

Books referenced in this episode

• MACRO Leadership, by Michael Cottam: https://amzn.to/476zHRP 

The technology we used

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxn

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

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: 

• The illusion of doing it all—and why “should” is not a strategy 
• The role of organizational culture and budgeting in setting (or derailing) priorities 
• Why strategic plans fail, and how to make them living documents 
• How tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and value-based filters can restore focus 
• What the chocolate factory sketch teaches us about pacing and capacity.

• What are your top 5 priorities right now—and how were they selected?
• How aligned are those priorities with your mission, values, and capacity?
• What are you calling a “big rock” that might actually be polished gravel?

• Download all Resources on the Blog Resources Page on the Engaged By Design Site.
• Covey’s Big Rocks
• YouTube Video from FranklinCovey
• I Love Lucy
• YouTube Video from Paramount+

Like what you heard? Share this episode with a colleague. Subscribe to the show for more MACRO Leadership strategies—and start leading with clarity, not chaos.

[1] Stephen R. Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Revised and Updated: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (Lo

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education

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:

• How we used (and corrected) ChatGPT to write our intros
• The meaning and implications of the VUCA environment (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity)
• A preview of the MACRO Leadership model — an agile framework for leading change in higher education
• Our mission is to help organizations engage more learners, more effectively, for sustainable growth
• How real innovation must go beyond committees and tweaks—it must transform systems
• The purpose of this podcast is to give practical, leadership-level insight you can apply immediately

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.

• VUCA is real — and it’s reshaping higher ed. Strong leadership embraces, not avoids, complexity.
• MACRO is your anti-micromanagement approach: Match → Assign → Coach → Reflect → Ovation.
• Radical innovation is possible — and necessary — even in risk-averse institutions.
• We built Engaged By Design to help people like you lead, innovate, and engage with purpose

• MACRO Leadership: Leading Agile Change and Innovation in Higher Education – available now on Amazon
• Claim a free copy of the book (first 10 podcast listeners only): visit the site and use the contact form
• Learn more about us at: www.engagedbydesign.com

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.

• MACRO Leadership, by Michae

Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about

• The Course Design Accelerator 
• Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education