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October 23, 2024
Devin Purgason on Embracing Failure [Lessons in Leadership]

Devin Purgason on Embracing Failure [Lessons in Leadership]

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About the Episode

Carrie talks with Devin Purgason about the crucial lessons that come from leadership failures. Devin reflects on the challenges of transitioning from being an individual contributor to managing and leading a team, emphasizing the importance of proper delegation and development. This insightful discussion sheds light on how leaders can grow through their missteps, leading to better team dynamics and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Transitioning from individual contributor to leader requires a shift from "doing" to "coaching."
  • Effective delegation involves more than task assignment; it requires developing the person receiving the task.
  • Leadership is a continuous journey, and recognizing failures early can help reshape your leadership approach.

What was Devin’s major leadership failure and how did it shape his approach?
Devin shared a pivotal leadership failure that occurred during his transition from content creator to manager. He initially struggled with delegating tasks effectively, attempting to maintain both roles—creator and leader—without success. This led to frustration, as his team could not meet his expectations, largely because they weren’t provided with enough context or development. Devin realized that true delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks but fostering the development of his team members. This failure became a cornerstone of his leadership growth, prompting him to approach delegation with a focus on teaching and coaching.

How does situational leadership tie into Devin’s experience?
Carrie connected Devin’s insights with the concept of situational leadership, which calls for adjusting your leadership style based on the needs of the individual and the task at hand. Situational leadership emphasizes that leaders must know when to coach, guide, and fully delegate, depending on where the person is in their journey. Devin’s realization that delegation requires development aligns perfectly with this model, as leaders must understand when to provide more guidance and when to step back as their team members grow.

Make sure to check out the full Lessons In Leadership: Embracing Failures playlist today.

About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Lessons In Leadership is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30. Register now for this free, virtual event.The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders,  innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success.

Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution.

Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.

People in this episode

Host

Dr. Carrie Phillips is the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at UA Little Rock where she is charged with telling the university’s incredible story. She considers herself part creative and part analyst but fully curious to solve challenges in higher education. Carrie earned her doctorate from Texas Tech University where she studied how regional public universities are using marketing efforts to mitigate the enrollment cliff. Prior to joining UA Little Rock, she worked 14 years at Arkansas Tech University where she led a brand study, the first comprehensive brand campaign and oversaw collateral development for the current comprehensive campaign. Carrie is a member of the American Marketing Association and holds the Professional Certified Marketer credential. She is also chair-elect of the District IV Cabinet for CASE and a member of UCDA. Finally, she is a puppy mom to Eleanor Belle—a 10-pound maltipoo.

Interviewee

Devin Purgason

⁠⁠⁠⁠Devin Purgason, is the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Marketing, and Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College. He is passionate about students, equity, learning, and a nice cup of coffee.

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