@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

@1QLeadership Question: Does the adjustment from making decisions to giving suggestions have to be difficult? Kim Record, Sr. Associate Commissioner & Chief of Staff at the Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference, talks about her adjustment to working with longtime A10 Commissioner, Bernadette McGlade. Record talks about times when challenging conversations are necessary for the team to be effective. trust is the bottom line of any kind of relationship anytime there is change, there is opportunity teaching, learning, and giving back are necessary for success Record also covers learning how to become a team when many people in the office have only been together for a couple years. She believes active listening and empathy are two important skills for effective leadership. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can a team show consistent growth if most of the players come from the transfer portal? From the 2023 AVCA Convention, Matt Buttermore, Head Volleyball Coach at Omaha, talks about what he valued about the volleyball day matchup, which pitted Omaha against Nebraska and saw record attendance and viewership. He also gives his thoughts on transfers and NIL. you don't know exactly how a transfer will fit in we can't try to do the same things we did last year if we keep growing great teams, the sport will continue to grow The conversation wraps with Buttermore sharing advice for people who want to be in a head coaching role. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Does age matter if someone has the capacity to do the job? Tangela Cheatham, Deputy Athletic Director for Sport Administration and Senior Woman Administrator at Central Michigan, talks about being trusted with an executive level position at an early age. The woman who hired her, CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan, was also trusted early in her career.  credits 'supported autonomy' as a critical development tool most of her current responsibilities were new experiences when she was hired understands that she will never know everything, thus she is always willing to learn Cheatham describes leaning on Folan to understand the depth of the Deputy position. She also gives her thoughts on impostor syndrome. Throughout her career, Cheatham has always considered caring about people as her primary skill. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown 

@1QLeadership Question: Should substance abuse in sports be viewed as more than just a disciplinary issue? Ryan Cain, CEO of The Hope Desk, and Shelly Mullenix, Senior Associate AD for Health and Wellness at LSU, discuss the mechanics of providing mental health services for former LSU student-athletes. Mullenix talks about studying social work to further impact the people she has served for nearly three decades. Cain gives his story of recovery and how it led him to create The Hope Desk, which serves people dealing with similar issues that he dealt with.  substance abuse must be viewed beyond simply a disciplinary issue a family system approach is just as important as a diagnosis people begin the mental health journey by searching for a lower level of care than they may actually need Through the Tiger Legacy Care program, Mullenix hopes to help out any and all former LSU student-athletes that need help. Cain and The Hope Desk are expanding services to more schools throughout the country. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What role does a third-party multimedia rights holder play in mending and maintaining relationships with businesses throughout the campus community? Otis Wiley, General Manager at Michigan State Sports Properties (PlayFly), talks about his experiences in revenue generation, including repairing relationships on campus after the school faced a few tumultuous years in the news.  PIPER Values - People Innovation Partnerships Empathy Results "If innovation comes with a plan of action to drive additional revenue, then go for it." "Working in sports is a blessing, we aren't doing hard labor." Wiley leads by example and emphasizes patient aggressiveness to reach goals. He encourages his staff to enjoy their jobs without sacrificing the passion that comes with living a joyful life. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Are corporate partnerships always about advertising exposure? Jazmin Elliott, Director of Corporate Sponsorships and Marketing at Norfolk State athletics, discusses her thought process when looking for companies to partner with the department. She finds areas of alignment between the company and the university, that go beyond just advertising exposure. national brands don't need Norfolk State for exposure  impactful relationships between a company and student-athletes are always top of mind "In business and personal relationships, when you make their ROI just as important as your ROI, people will try their best to help you succeed." Elliott gives an example of a synergistic relationship with a corporate partner where both parties value a lot more than just the transaction of money. Her overarching philosophy is that people should always be a part of the formula for maximizing return on investment. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can the processes learned throughout your career lay the foundation for entrepreneurial pursuits? Dr. Jason Penry, Founder of Penry Advisors, spent years working in fundraising in college athletics and on campus in general. Not long ago, he decided to start a business based on the concepts he learned during his career raising money.  "involvement precedes investment, almost always" relationships work across all industries doing things for the greater good makes it easier to put in the time never promise something you can't deliver Before branching out on his own, Penry used the same concepts to help start a medical school in the state of Arkansas. He also notes that the pace of athletics fundraising is far more urgent, in terms of immediate use, than academic fundraising. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Do the titles given during your career define your underlying skillset? Chris McFarlane is the Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations and Business Development at UCF. At a quick glance, his career arc would have him labeled as a fundraiser. With further study, McFarlane's career is actually rooted in building programs. Hired to lead an athletics fundraising office in his mid-20s Purposely stepped away from a leadership role after successfully building a couple of fundraising programs Recent appointment leans into his program building skill while using aspects of his fundraising experience McFarlane continues to rely on the skills developed while working as a fundraiser but has always known that his superpower is building sustainable programs that help athletics departments focus on executing their purpose for existing. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: Do winning head coaches need leadership training? Penny Lucas-White, Head Volleyball Coach at Alabama State, tells her introspective journey learning to be a better leader after 30 years in the role. She decided to invest in her own development by attending a John Maxwell leadership retreat.   she was communicating but not connecting with student-athletes when student-athletes police themselves, the coach's job is easy the country is paying attention to the HBCU experience   Coach Lucas-White shares her excitement for the health of the game of volleyball and considers herself a relational and servant leader whose role is to grow and show people how great they are.  - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can doing your job contribute to your professional development? Andrew Kearney, Deputy Athletics Director at Nicholls State, discusses how trying to help others on campus has helped him improve his communication skill. He also touches on learning from Division II and Division III institutions in terms of facilities and use of resources. find ways to do what it is you love about the job communicate mutual benefit to the campus community learn from other institutions who may have similar resources Helping athletics to be an integral connection between campus and community is always top of mind for Kearney and others in the department. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is it possible to pre-determine if someone will be a good hire? Brandi Stuart, Deputy AD for Administration and External Operations at Penn State, answers questions about her experience on the NCAA Softball Committee, accepting a job offer, hiring, and her role with the Nittany Lions. Restructuring NCAA Softball postseason play Power of a referral when considering a job, as well as, when hiring Telling the collective and continuing story of Penn State Athletics Hitting and missing when hiring Stuart is very self-aware and leads with a penchant for getting work done at a high level. She also emphasizes that slow-pitch is the brand of softball she plays now, as she competes with tempered expectations. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How can core values help with decisions in the workplace? Raymond Harrison, Senior Associate Athletics Director at NC State, discusses how core values and purpose are integral to how he navigates his career. From deciding whether or not to take a job, to deciding whether or not to hire someone, Harrison checks on value alignment throughout most of his decision making processes. you don't teach values, you hire values you live life forward but you understand it looking backward values of the organization should be used to guide decisions within the organization With patience as a core value, he strives to keep emotion out of his decisions. In terms of his personal life, he strives to live imperfectly in front of his children. One of his primary reasons for being in the college athletics industry is to ensure young people use the student-athlete experience to create better opportunities in their lives.  - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: What happens when a perfectionist realizes that no one can be perfect? Jessie Gardner, Executive Senior Associate AD at UNT, discusses her evolution from being a perfectionist to considering herself an achiever. She acknowledges that perfectionism held her back in her prior leadership roles. Gardner gives credit to enneagram, Strengthsfinders, and self-reflection for her leadership self discovery. leadership is a constant evolution of who you are and how you show up in the world leaders must learn themselves to understand how they can be the most effective Gardner gives examples of her progress while acknowledging that people around played a big part in her development. She currently focuses on what the people she leads need from her, and how she can create spaces that people want to be in. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

*New Episode of The Business of Creativity Podcast* BOCreativity Question: When should an entrepreneur's role change within the company they founded? Peak Sports MGMT executives, Ryan Holloway (President) and Wes Abercrombie (Vice President), talk about evolving roles within the company. Holloway, co-founder and president, has been the technician, the manager, and the entrepreneur throughout the company's existence. Abercrombie started in an entry-level position and has worked his way up to the #3 executive within the organization. The two hash out roles and responsibilities as Abercrombie's role and influence has grown along with the company. Peak Sports MGMT is a 3rd Party Multi-Marketing company which operates primarily within the college athletics industry. - The Business of Creativity Podcast - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is it important to assess a potential head coach's ability to evaluate talent? Sarah Baumgartner, Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Texas and retired Director of Athletics, Bill McGillis talk about facilitating sports as a college athletics executive. They also cover evaluating talent and the layers involved when hiring head coaches.    hiring a head coach can be surprising process managing sports in a department is complex talent evaluation can be the separator for a good and great head coach   McGillis recently retired from University of San Diego after serving as the Director of Athletics for seven years. Baumgartner has been a long-time fundraiser in college athletics, but currently manages all sports programs at University of Texas. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: Can for-profit businesses be mission driven and drive profits all while delivering a public good? Joe Karlgaard, former Director of Athletics at Rice, discusses his current role advising entrepreneurs with Global Silicon Valley, a global education technology company. He talks about the education he is receiving in terms of how for-profit businesses can be profitable while still focusing on purpose.   in the near future, people will begin to wrap their heads around the new opportunities that can benefit college athletics people are what keep organizations valuing purpose ahead of profit in intense competition, delivering value to shareholders is top priority and can lead to organizations losing their souls   Karlgaard's focus on people, leadership, and organizational effectiveness stem from his experience in college athletics. He believes there is room for entrepreneurial growth in the industry without sacrificing the primary purpose of developing student-athletes. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown      

@1QLeadership Question: Is life different when working at an off-campus job after a career working on campus in college athletics? Brittney Whiteside, VP of ASP College at Altius Sports Partners, shares her insight on her role at a college athletics adjacent organization and how life has changed without on-campus pressures. Serving on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Whiteside also talks about being in a position to provide insight to the leadership at Wright State about athletic matters.   helping college athletics programs navigate strategies and leverage opportunities keeping campus partners informed about how current news can impact the industry   Hired as employee #7 at Altius, Whiteside has helped the organization grow by using her expertise from almost 15 years in college athletics. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

The Business of Creativity Podcast highlights creativity in business leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. For this episode of 1Q, we will listen to a recent episode of The Business of Creativity Podcast. Urina Harrell started her company, Vox Pop Branding, while she was a student-athlete at Duke. At the time, college athletes couldn't make any extra income as it was before the Name-Image-Likeness movement we see today. Now, 11 years later, she is still focused on the purpose of the company which is to help people grow their businesses using positive impact messaging.   Key insights: Communication breakdowns often underlie organizational challenges Her background as a Walmart buyer informs her marketing expertise If the work you do is based on who you are, work-life balance can be elusive   With clients such as Jrue & Lauren Holiday, Harrell is very selective in the businesses she engages with. The primary filter is the focus on positive impact. - The Business of Creativity Podcast - Tai M. Brown

Get the #GirlDad in your life a perfect gift for Father's Day. Tye The Dreamer is a story about a daddy’s girl who has a big heart and bigger dreams. Written by Dr. Stephany Coakley. Purchase your copy here. (https://spadesmg.com/tyeDr) --- @1QLeadership Question: Where do you find stability in an industry where instability is rampant? Deneé Barracato, Deputy AD for Operations and Capital Projects at Northwestern, stopped by 1Q to talk about her role, her career, what keeps her centered, and being a mother working in sports. As a leader in the college athletics industry, Barracato emphasizes the importance of focusing on the experiences of student-athletes.   building a temporary football stadium transitioning from playing basketball to working in sports remaining stable amongst instability dealing with mom guilt   Barracato believes the legacy she is building is rooted in creating an environment where the people she works with can thrive and find success. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

Get the #GirlDad in your life a perfect gift for Father's Day. Tye The Dreamer is a story about a daddy’s girl who has a big heart and bigger dreams. Written by Dr. Stephany Coakley. Purchase your copy here. --- @1QLeadership Question: Can you blend your personality into the responsibilities of your job? Kyle Adams, Deputy Athletics Director at Delaware State, discusses his role in supporting others in the department in addition to focusing on student-athletes. His background as a basketball coach, involvement in the community, and focus on leadership blend together as he executes his daily responsibilities. Considers himself the Chief Energy Officer Providing great experiences to student-athletes Working on a doctorate to have a bigger impact on those around him   While coaching coaches, supporting administrators, and developing student-athletes, Kyle Adams believes that constant improvement is a necessity for those who operate in a leadership role. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

Get the #GirlDad in your life a perfect gift for Father's Day. Tye The Dreamer is a story about a daddy’s girl who has a big heart and bigger dreams. Written by Dr. Stephany Coakley. Purchase your copy here. The Business of Creativity Podcast highlights creativity in business leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. For this episode of 1Q, we will listen to a recent episode of The Business of Creativity Podcast. Matt Roberts created a newsletter that almost every NCAA Division I Director of Athletics reads everyday. The D1.ticker is one of the primary sources of information covering key business developments throughout the college athletics industry. His business, Drive & Company, exists to make the lives of decision makers in college athletics easier. Build trust through consistency Act on ideas that add value to customers Be realistic about who you are and what you are good at In this episode, Roberts covers the thought process behind creating the business and how he views value creation around his company's purpose. - The Business of Creativity Podcast - Tai M. Brown

Get the #GirlDad in your life a perfect gift for Father's Day. Tye The Dreamer is a story about a daddy’s girl who has a big heart and bigger dreams. She loves her cat, her friends, and her community. Tye lives with her father who loves and supports her dreams unconditionally. One day he gives her a gift, and they couldn’t predict how the gift would influence her ambition. She learns that knowing what she wants and believing in herself are the cornerstones to joy. Written by Dr. Stephany Coakley. Purchase your copy here.   _________ @1QLeadership Question: How do schools provide fans and donors transportation to bowl games, NCAA tournaments, and other events? Kyle McDonald, President of Sports & Entertainment Travel, LLC (SET), talks about providing experiences around athletic related events. While schools transport teams, coaches, and other related staff, many departments outsource the logistics and experiences of the outside constituency. Provide options for travel, lodging, entertainment, etc. Facilitate donor experiences related to giving societies Assist athletics department in identifying quality experiences McDonald and his business partners started the company in 2014 after identifying a need in the college athletics industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What are the elements of an effective student-athlete mental health program? Dr. Stephany Coakley, Sr. Associate Athletics Director for Mental Health at Temple University, discusses the functions and processes in place that make up the TUWell program. She covers aspects of creating and maintaining an environment for student-athletes to feel comfortable using the services provided.    Assess student-athletes every year of their career Educate coaches and administrators on how to identify possible crisis symptoms Manage the Student-Athlete transition process Dr. Coakley created and implemented the program for Temple Athletics. For more information on her process see her article, If You Build It, They Will Come: Establishing a Student-Athlete Mental Health Program, on AthleticDirectorU.com. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How does a coach know when to remove someone from the team? Leanne Ulmer, Head Volleyball Coach at Carthage College, talks about her experiences leading the team for almost 25 years. She discusses working through athletics director changes, leading the team without a full-time assistant coach, deciding when to remove someone from the team, and celebrating other sports on campus while mentoring young coaches throughout the department. "If you don't wither and die, you'll learn from the experience." Anticipating which student-athletes will be leaders Being enrollment driven is a lot to manage with a small staff Being intentional with developing relationships with other coaches in the department Coach Ulmer also talks a lot about her son, University of Oregon Volleyball Coach Matt Ulmer, and the personal and professional relationship they have as volleyball coaches. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: How do leadership development, personnel changes, and organizational behavior intersect? Angie Torain, Director of Athletics & Recreation at University of Chicago, discusses her development as an executive, developing the leaders on her staff, and enhancing the organizational priorities within the department.  Evaluate the environment, then ask for what you need Allow staff to make decisions Figure out how you can enhance the existing culture Torain also covers aspects of fundraising, expanding facilities, and expanding her staff to provide better experiences for student-athletes. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: Are mental health services provided to an institution's athletic alumni? Ashton Henderson, Deputy Athletics Director at Michigan State, and Renaldo Hill, NFL/College football coach, discuss the transition away from playing sports as a competitor and the impact it can have on former athletes. Henderson describes a new resource at Michigan State for former student-athletes called Alumni STATE of Mind. Available to anyone who was a student-athlete at Michigan State 24-hour dedicated crisis lifeline available for MSU athletic alumni managed by The Hope Desk Discounted services provided anywhere in the country managed by Skywood Recovery For those without insurance, Fund Recovery will work with former student-athletes to ensure quality care despite any financial challenges Both Henderson and Hill describe their respective transitions to their current professions. Hill talks about mentoring NFL and college football players and helping them focus on life away from Football, while Henderson covers providing services to current student-athletes and ensuring care is accessible after they finish playing. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: What is the role of an Athletic Certification Officer? Carol Bonner, Associate Registrar for Athletic Certification and Eligibility at Texas Tech, explains her role on campus and how it supports the athletics by being housed outside of the department.  Manage the process of determining eligibility for student-athletes The role is different on every college campus Decisions are very objective - no subjectivity Bonner's office is also responsible for managing the research for the NCAA Graduation Success Rates and Academic Progress Rates at the school. She works with over 30 people throughout campus who contribute to the athletic certification at Texas Tech. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can one brand or symbol represent all of campus, including athletics? Jason Cook, VP for Marketing and Communications at Baylor University, shares insights on communicating with a specific objective. He also gives us a deep dive into his One Brand Approach to marketing for an institution of higher education. 'Communicating with a specific objective' is an overarching description that covers all branches of communications  A college's athletics logo is usually its most recognizable symbol Avoid brand fragmentation amongst on-campus departments, individual sports teams, alumni organizations, etc. People don't graduate from specific colleges on campus, they graduate from the institution Cook discusses how communicating with a specific objective helped the Heisman campaign for former Texas A&M quarterback, Johnny Manziel. He also gives his insight on using college athletics strategies to recruiting students who aren't athletes. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown       

@1QLeadership Question: Can the Faculty Athletics Representative's (FAR) role overlap with their research and professorial responsibilities? As a Faculty Athletics Representative at Texas Tech, Professor Brian Shannon is responsible for advocating for student-athlete welfare. While his primary teaching responsibility is contract law, he focuses his policy and research work on mental health law, an area he has been researching for a lifetime due to his family experience with mental illness.  Professor Shannon explains that mental illness patients often get caught in the criminal justice system without receiving treatment. He also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between having a mental illness and dealing with mental health challenges. As mental health is a top issue faced by NCAA student-athletes, the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices are continuously updated to provide support. - One Question Leadership Podcat - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is the path to the athletics director chair always the same? Sharief Hashim, Director of Athletics at Susquehanna University stopped by 1Q to talk about his journey from recreation director to college athletics director. From assistant basketball coach to interim athletics director, Hashim has navigated his career through passion and purpose. working with people leading adults servant leadership understanding business Hashim's leadership principles include having empathy, understand your leadership style, and get outside of your comfort zone. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What can college athletics teach us about retention rates? We asked the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Chancellor, Dr. Jim Schmidt, about the importance of athletics on a college campus. He gave us insight from research done at UW-Eau Claire which says there are key components that exists in college sports that can translate to higher retention if applied to campus in general. Meet students where they are academically, socially, mentally Sense of belonging Upperclass mentors Trusted adults Community At UW-Eau Claire, Black men who are student-athletes have a retention rate in the 90% range, while those of the same group who aren't athletes have a retention rate in the 70% range. Chancellor Schmidt talks about the goals and community strategies the school has put in place to focus on each student. He also talks about how a $70 million athletics facility helps to accomplish those goals. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

@1QLeadership Question: How does donor feedback and creativity fit in fundraising? We asked Alvin Hines II, Sr. Associate Athletics Director at FAU, about athletics fundraising. The key topics covered were how his personality fits within the specific niche of athletic development, what is the process of fundraising in an athletics department, and how much input do donors (and potential donors) have in how funds should be used. Personality is a big factor in fundraising Season ticket holders are a starting point Many big ideas come from donors Donors will most likely support their own ideas Hines notes that one of the biggest jobs of a fundraiser is to leverage your current assets, whether that be under utilized space to events that already exist. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

1QLeadership Question: When should a coach or administrator hire an agent? Garry Rosenfield, Coaches Agent for Coaches Inc., stops by 1Q to discuss his process for valuing coaches contracts and why he believes agents are an asset in terms of representation. Football sets the standard for contracts across sports Women's Volleyball has the biggest potential Process for valuation varies across schools Counsel can be necessary beyond negotiating contracts While many people think agents are only hired for money, jobs, and contracts, Rosenfield believes representation is also necessary for counsel on many of the things required that allow a coach to focus on being a successful coach. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown          

@1QLeadership Question: Would an 'NIT type' event make sense considering the new College Football Playoff structure? Sean Frazier, VP & Director of Athletics at NIU, stops by 1Q to discuss a few items on his mind as college athletics continues to evolve.  Clandestine Transfer Portal activities Value of bowl games 'NIT type' event tied to the College Football Playoff Antitrust thoughts Positive outlook in college athletics Frazier has led NIU athletics for over a decade and continues to provide insight, mentorship, and leadership in the industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Is a Division I athletics director job always the goal? 1Q guest host Dr. Monique Carroll of Chicago State asks Point University VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Jaunelle White, about leading the athletics department at an NAIA institution after a career of working in NCAA D1.  If an opportunity aligns, explore it Trust your intuition Continue to add to your toolbox Have an elite mentality no matter where you are White discusses building trust with staff, relationships with student-athletes, and hiring as Carroll provides context with questions from a fellow athletics director's perspective. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Should interns specialize in one area or learn as much as they can about everything? NCAA Post Graduate Intern (and 1Q guest host) Kendee Hilliard asked Rose-Hulman Athletics Director Ayanna Tweedy about the choice between specialization or getting broad experience during the early developmental years in one's career. Be multifaceted Say yes to everything Learn as much as possible Allows you to understand what is needed later Tweedy brings her insight and experience to the conversation as Hilliard launches her career in intercollegiate athletics. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

1QLeadership Question: How does being a woman in football operations intersect with the servant leader mindset? 1Q guest host Mattie White asked Jashell Mitchell, Chief of Staff for Football Operations at Jackson State, about her roles in football and her progression as a leader in college athletics. With extensive experience in operations and a sharp focus on people and details, Mitchell has been recognized as a Rising Executive in the college athletics industry. Embrace the role of a woman on staff Thrive in people development Thrive in off the field details Servant mindset Consistency Jashell has worked for legendary coaches, spent time in the NFL, and is very passionate about her home community of Flint, Michigan. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown - Mattie White  

1QLeadership Question: What does it take to be a university's first Director of Athletics? We asked Darnell Smith, Director of Athletics at Texas A&M-San Antonio, about the process of starting an athletics department. The school did not have varsity sports prior to Smith's arrival.  Create a vision Hire coaches and staff Establish a way to fund the department Join a governing body Ensure compliance Create culture Darnell smith started as the only person in the department and has hired everyone who is currently a part of the staff. Culture and leadership development are major aspects of his process. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: Can personal and professional purpose intersect? We asked Misty Brown, Assistant Commissioner at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) if her purpose as a professional intersects with her purpose as an individual. She pointed out that the things she loves to do at work coincide with what she loves to do at home: • Develop relationships that go beyond the transactional nature of work • Set aside time for intentional focus on your reason for doing what you do • Understand how your professional purpose impacts your personal life • Understand how your personal purpose impacts your professional life In executing her purpose, Brown has provided internships to student-athletes, created volunteer opportunities at conference tournaments, and designates one day a week to engaging with the young people who compete in the Southeastern Conference. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What are the steps needed to create a major giving society for a college athletics department? Colton Primm, Senior Associate Athletics Director at Louisiana Tech, answered this question based on his experience setting up the Aillet Society on campus: Establish the purpose of the organization Delineate the giving amounts and respective benefits Identify and inform potential donors Launch the campaign Primm explains that (at La Tech) the annual fund is used for the general operations of the athletics department, while the major giving society creates long term giving opportunities and is used for specific projects. As the giving amounts get higher, information and access have proven to be the key benefits. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

@1QLeadership Question: What elements are necessary for success in a college athletics department? During a visit with Tulane University's Deputy Athletics Director, Kortne Gosha, we asked what it takes to build a successful athletics program. Collaboration within the department Relationships with campus administration and external stakeholders Valuing the academic environment Understanding the intricacies of customer vs consumer Prioritizing the student-athlete experience Gosha has experience leading a department and provides a perspective during a transitional period with the recent departure of the Director of Athletics.      

@1QLeadership Question: How can Student-Athletes voice concerns about their experiences on campus? We asked David Chadwick, Founder & CEO of RealResponse, about solving the problem athletics departments faced in receiving real-time, confidential feedback from student-athletes on campus. Anonymity and confidentiality are complex yet important needs Ease of reporting allows for more people to come forward Not all feedback given is negative Chadwick started the company as an undergrad after playing his final basketball game at Valparaiso. The company has evolved to include professional leagues, NASCAR, corporations, and the general student body on college campuses. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

I asked Keiko Price, Associate VP of Campus Life & Director of Athletics at Emory University, about making tough decisions while leading an athletics department. She answered on the topic of student-athlete accusations against coaches: Be present as much as possible Support the student-athletes and advocate for the coach Assess everyone involved to hear all sides Make the best possible and informed decision Price is in her third year leading the department. She also covers the impact and challenges of her responsibilities as Associate VP of Campus Life. The conversation is wide ranging and insightful. @1QLeadership Question: Should a leader have a set process for making tough decisions? One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

I asked Valparaiso University Director of Athletics, Dr. Charles Small about how social work concepts fit on campus and specifically within college athletics. He covered the concepts below: Understanding the balance of the overall support system while being flexible enough to have an individual approach as everyone's experience is different Understanding the capacity within the community to meet the needs of the different subgroups on campus Levels of Practice Micro - Understanding the individual and their identity, as well as their well being within their respective environment.  Mezzo - Understanding and identifying small groups based on identities.  Macro - Understanding the larger institutions and communities such as athletics department, or the campus as a whole Understanding and implementing Culture Humility - having the humility to maintain self-awareness while respecting and working with others from different walks of life. Dr. Small has a social work background and comes from a family of social workers, so his insight on the 'person in the environment' is excellent. He covers all this in the context of his work at Valpo here on the One Question Leadership Podcast. @1QLeadership Question: Is there an intersection between social work concepts and leadership? -Tai M. Brown

We asked Breakthru Brands Founder, Laura Barnard, about common patterns women face during their leadership journey. The company has worked with over 200 clients, primarily women leaders, to elevate their unique contributions and voices. Based on the data and other studies, Barnard identified two gaps senior women leaders deal with as they progress in their careers: 1. Confidence gap: Senior women leaders are less likely to feel confident in their job performance within their careers.  2. Authority gap: Senior women leaders are less likely to feel heard and trusted in the workplace, they also experience interruptions and doubt in the workplace. This insight is interesting because one is internal, while the other seems to be external. Barnard goes in depth about these two gaps and much more during her visit to @1QLeadership.  @1QLeadership Question: Have you faced the confidence and authority gaps during your career?  - Tai M. Brown - One Question Leadership Podcast

On the question of creating a strategic plan, Toledo Executive Associate Athletics Director & COO, Nicole Alderson visits @1QLeadership to talk about her involvement in putting together the strategy for Toledo Athletics. Immediately upon being hired, Alderson was tasked with creating the strategy for success for the department. She gives insight on communicating with campus and tying all aspects of campus together to prepare a successful future. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of valuing the human element in the workplace, Michigan Associate AD for Communications & PR, Kurt Svoboda, stops by @1QLeadership  to share his insight on growing people, separating work and home identity, crisis communications, and leadership development. Svoboda also gives his thoughts on analyzing failure within the context of issues management. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown