1.question Podcast

@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

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

On the question of mid-major conference finances, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Deputy Commissioner, Jessica Grasso visits @1QLeadership to discuss revenue generation, building trust within the conference, and leadership. Grasso gives her insight on what makes the MAAC unique within the industry. She also talks about her philosophy of 'Leading Beyond the W.'  - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of the Hispanic experience within college athletics, Liz Reyes of Illinois and Ben Rodriguez of Rutgers visit @1QLeadership to share insight and talk about the establishment of the Latino Association for Collegiate Athletics Administrators & Student Athletes (@LA_CAASA). The organization exists to increase representation and opportunities for Hispanics in college athletics. Both Reyes and Rodriguez talk about their experiences and desires for what they have seen and want to see within the industry.

On the question of the role of legal counsel within an athletics department, Ane Debro, Associate General Counsel for Athletics at Ole Miss, visits @1QLeadership to discuss her position. Debro talks about the difference in tempo working in athletics versus working as the general counsel on campus. She gives her insight on how her responsibilities go beyond compliance, which include providing legal answers that help things move a bit faster within the department. The conversation wraps with Debro's thoughts on student-athletes and NIL.

On the question of leadership through a reflective lens, Texas A&M Director of Athletics, Ross Bjork, stops by @1QLeadership to talk about his experiences and understanding the breadth of college athletics. The conversation covers planning for different possible outcomes, letting his emotions impact his actions in the past, and advice to those looking to be in the chair. His five hot button areas for ascending professionals are embracing tradition, understanding the political environment, increasing competitiveness, finances, and adapting to the evolving nature of college athletics. - One question leadership podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of creating an environment where mental wellness is a priority, Temple University Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Dr. Stephany Coakley, visits @1QLeadership to discuss the setup for the athletics department. With a purpose of helping people master the mental and emotional aspects of performing consistently at a high level, Dr. Coakley has put education for coaches and staff as a priority within the department. The conversation also covers the difficulty athletes have transitioning away from sports, noting it can take a minimum of 12 months to fully accept the transition. Coakley also provides advice to people who are influential in a student-athlete's life to help them prepare to transition away from participating in sports. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of NCAA activism, Northern Illinois VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, Sean Frazier returns to @1QLeadership to ponder what the collective group of institutions that make up the governing body of college athletics is doing to counteract the trend of states banning DEI positions, banning books, and other actions that seem to violate the social agreement. Frazier mentions past activism actions in the Carolinas among other places as a standard that should continue. - One question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of managing athletic facilities on campus, Notre Dame Sr. Associate Athletics Director, Timothy Wise, visits @1QLeadership to cover a number of related items. Wise talks about the important areas that get overlooked with planning a facilities operating budget. He gives insight on how someone in his position is evaluated, and covers the pain points when managing up in terms of facilities. The conversation wraps with his involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the college athletics industry. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown

On the question of coaching football with her father, University of St. Thomas (MN) student Anna Caruso, joins Head Football Coach Glenn Caruso, to give her perspective of being on the sideline with family. Anna, a current Tommies Softball Student-Athlete, talks about categorizing the coach mindset while playing, and Coach Caruso gives his thoughts on the evolution of women coaching football.