About the Episode
About the Episode:
In this episode, Jeremy sits down with higher ed middle manager Stephanie Dickerson to talk about a wide-range of leadership topics including empathy, developing your leadership style, accountability, self-care, and organization.
Key Takeaways
- Empathy is Essential for Leadership: Empathy should be a foundational trait for leaders to connect with and understand team members effectively.
- Setting Clear Expectations: Setting clear standards and following through with accountability fosters a strong and dependable team culture.
- Delegation as a Strength: Effective leaders recognize when to delegate tasks, trusting team members and creating opportunities for growth.
- Importance of Work-Life Balance: Finding time for personal well-being is crucial to maintain productivity, especially in demanding roles.
- Diversity and Representation in Leadership: Stephanie shares her perspective on navigating her role as a woman of color and overcoming unique challenges in leadership.
Episode Summary
Building a Path to Leadership in Higher Education
Stephanie began her journey at the University of Louisville in 2017, quickly finding herself in a leadership role. Her early experience mentoring newer team members ignited her interest in formal leadership positions. Through hands-on experience, she realized her passion for guiding and developing team members to succeed in their roles. Stephanie shares her initial hesitation about stepping into management, especially given her age relative to the more tenured team members. Ultimately, her drive to make a broader impact on the admissions and enrollment experience propelled her forward, allowing her to build strong foundations for herself and her team.
Qualities of a Good Leader
Stephanie believes that empathy is one of the most important qualities for a leader, explaining how it helps foster a supportive and effective work environment. Empathy, she emphasizes, requires active listening and understanding, which can help bridge gaps in communication and motivation. Additionally, she highlights the importance of kindness paired with accountability, ensuring team members feel supported yet challenged to meet high standards. Stephanie’s approach includes setting clear standards, holding herself to the same expectations she sets for her team, and being transparent in her communication. Her leadership style is collaborative, encouraging input and ownership from team members to enhance both individual and organizational growth.
Navigating Difficult Conversations and Accountability
Accountability is often a challenging area for managers, and Stephanie acknowledges that tough conversations are a necessary part of maintaining team standards. She shares how she approaches these discussions with empathy, seeking to understand the root causes behind a team member’s performance issues. Stephanie suggests starting with a low-stakes conversation, asking questions, and offering support rather than immediately resorting to disciplinary action. If verbal conversations don’t yield results, she finds that written follow-ups can help clarify expectations. This balanced approach enables her to maintain strong, respectful relationships with her team, even when addressing performance concerns.
Coping with Overwhelm and the Importance of Organization
Stephanie admits that, like many in middle management, she faces moments of overwhelm. To stay organized, she uses tools like color-coded calendars, a large whiteboard, and pinned emails to keep her priorities visible. She dedicates the first hour of her workday to setting intentions and organizing her tasks. Delegation is also key; she relies on her assistant directors and team to share the workload, particularly during busy seasons. Stephanie emphasizes that finding moments for “stillness” can prevent burnout, and she encourages her team to prioritize personal time as well.
Balancing Leadership and Parenthood
As a single mother, Stephanie has had to balance her demanding role with the responsibilities of parenthood. She credits her success to having an understanding workplace and a strong support system, which includes her parents and her team. By setting clear boundaries around her availability for family obligations, she has cultivated an environment where her priorities as a parent are respected. Stephanie advises other working parents to take advantage of support networks and remember that asking for help is not a sign of failure. She also embraces flexibility in her work, ensuring that her son remains her priority.
This episode offers valuable lessons in empathetic leadership, accountability, and balancing work and personal life. Stephanie’s approach to leadership serves as a model for professionals looking to enhance their management skills and foster meaningful connections within their teams.
Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers
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