@1QLeadership Question: How do you integrate a leadership philosophy that emphasizes collaboration and informed decision-making within an athletics department?

Dr. Jackie Shuman, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics and Recreation at UMass Boston, discussing her leadership philosophy and approach to decision-making within college athletics. 

• Gather as much insight as possible from stakeholders who have the most to gain or lose from a decision 
• Consider the timing and level of impact of decision
• Regularly reassess the department's organization, processes, and priorities 
• Conduct executive leadership retreats to evaluate progress, restructure meetings, and adapt to changes in the college athletics landscape

Dr. Schuman emphasizes collaborative leadership, stakeholder engagement, and prioritizes safety when making decisions as a leader on campus. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Podcast: What happens when someone who always wanted to be in the background assumes the leadership position?

This conversation initially took place on AthleticDirectorU.com.

Deana Barnes, President at Paciolan, shares insight into her collective leadership strategy and how her longevity with the organization provides her with perspective. The conversation took place after Barnes had been in the position for roughly a year. She talks about vulnerability of leadership, and feeling better suited in the No. 2 position. She also talks about being a former point guard and how it translates in her leadership style. – One Question Leadership Podcast – Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can someone who dropped out of high school excel in college athletics administration?

Randale Richmond, VP and Director of Athletics at Kent State, and Dr. Ron Moses, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at Old Dominion talk about culture, athlete identity, and leadership. 

• Ron Moses discusses his journey to college athletics, including dropping out of high school, enlisting in the military, and starting his career in football
• Randale Richmond discusses his decision to hire Ron Moses at ODU, emphasizing Moses' unique ability to cultivate and elevate the student-athlete experience

Both Richmond and Moses discuss their involvement in programs that address the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How does a Vice President of Student Affairs develop a philosophy on college athletics?

Sarah Comstock, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at University of Puget Sound, discusses how she developed her philosophy on athletics after the department was recently reassigned to report to her. She talks about her input in creating a profile for hiring a new director of athletics. Comstock also gives insight into the importance of the position and how athletics fits into the mission of the university.

• Student-Athletes make up 33% of students on campus
• Rewriting Student Affairs strategic plan to include the student-athlete experience

Comstock talks about studying other schools and figuring out what works best for Puget Sound in terms of leadership for the department. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How much does an athletics director think about succession planning?

Alex Ricker-Gilbert, Senior Vice President and Athletics Director at Jacksonville University, discusses hiring coaches and succession planning with Lamarr Pottinger, Director of Leadership Development with NCAA. Ricker-Gilbert has a process of identifying assistant coaches that could potentially be head coaches in the future and engaging with them regularly. He also talks about being aggressive with head coaches who show early signs of success, such as extending one Jacksonville head coach to a 10-year contract after his first year.

• "Will this person care more about our student-athletes as people than as athletes?"
• "Tell us why you want to be at our institution"
• "If you do a good job hiring, the rest of the leader's job is much easier."

Ricker-Gilbert believes upward mobility at Jacksonville is the department's competitive advantage. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Where does passion fit in sales and business development?

Kevin Barefoot, Sr. VP of Business Development for Teamworks, discusses his experiences working in sales for startups. He talks about the culture at Teamworks and the company's growth. After spending a decade with WinAD, a tech startup operating in college athletics, Barefoot now finds himself in a role where he is leading and evaluating people. 

• "You can't manufacture passion, but you also can't hide passion."
• "I try to create relationships that will last for 30 years"

Barefoot takes a consultative approach to sales. He believes it is necessary to have a passion for whatever he is selling. Throughout the conversation, the passion for the vision at Teamworks is very visible. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is there a grieving period after losing your job?

Amber McCray, volleyball coach and sports administrator, shares her introspection after being dismissed from the head coaching position at Louisiana Tech.  Contemplating on what she valued from the experience, what she could have done differently, and where she goes from this point, McCray gives us an inside look into the mind of a coach who is "in transition."

"God will scream at you if you don't listen to the whispers" - Amber McCray

McCray helped build the La Tech athletics fan community and increased attendance to matches while she was the head coach. Heavy on relationships and weary of the transactional direction that college athletics is headed in, she is contemplating her future in sports. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What does it take to find success in every role?

Kortne Gosha, Sr. Associate AD for Capital Planning at Nebraska, visits with Wesley Abercrombie of Peak Sports to discuss leadership and finding career success. Gosha started his career as a football equipment manager. Since then, he has led an athletics department, hired coaches, raised money, and done a number of other things that has helped the institutions he worked for change for the better. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can working in video production lead to a career in fundraising? Joseph Walters, Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs and Chief Revenue Officer at Hampton University describes how his family-owned video production business has helped him to the role he currently holds in fundraising in college athletics. 

• uses journalism background to tell the story of Hampton Athletics
• considers donors as investors
• minimizes workload in his mind to avoid nervousness

Walters explains how the naming rights are applied for significant gifts and talks about his desire to turn the relationships with donors from transactional to transformational. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What are some of the best ways to communicate change from the leadership and management perspective?

Troy Austin, Deputy Athletics Director for Development at Duke University, discusses his role helping the athletics director manage change. Interviewed by People and Culture Professional Lamarr Pottinger, Austin gives his definition of culture as "how the staff acts within its environment."

• Address points that are actually at play
• Don’t jump ahead of the facts
• Dispel rumors
• Control what’s in front of you
• Manage the leader’s message

Austin believes in leading with clear, candid communication combined with positivity.  - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown