In this powerful conversation, Brek sits down with longtime friend and higher education leader Scott Traylor to unpack a core leadership truth: saying “everyone matters” is easy... but making people feel it is what transforms culture.

Scott shares his journey of stepping into a vice president role during the Great Resignation, leading nearly 1,000 staff and faculty through turnover, burnout, and transition. Together, Brek and Scott explore:

• Why trust, collaboration, and accountability became the cornerstone values for his team

• How leaders can create environments where staff feel truly seen, heard, and valued

• The difference between transactional leadership and value-driven leadership

• Practical steps for slowing down, listening, and building rhythms that sustain healthy culture

Whether you’re leading a small team, a classroom, or an entire organization, this episode will challenge you to ask: “Do the people I lead feel that they matter?”

Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about titles or results—it’s about people.