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October 23, 2024
Maria Kuntz on Embracing Failure [Lessons in Leadership]

Maria Kuntz on Embracing Failure [Lessons in Leadership]

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About the Episode

Carrie welcomes Maria Kuntz to discuss an important aspect of leadership—learning from both successes and failures. Maria reflects on a project that initially seemed to be a complete success but later revealed gaps in stakeholder engagement. The conversation highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in leadership and how valuable lessons can emerge from unexpected challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leadership successes can still contain valuable lessons when unexpected feedback arises.
  • Effective stakeholder engagement is critical; using a 360-degree feedback approach ensures all voices are heard.
  • Learning from challenges, even within successful outcomes, helps leaders grow and refine their strategies.

What challenges did Maria face in her leadership journey?

Maria shared a recent experience where a campaign she led seemed to be a significant success, showing improvement in all metrics—more donors, higher open rates, and increased engagement. However, during the post-campaign review process, Maria received unexpected feedback. Despite the apparent success, some stakeholders felt they were not adequately consulted in the creative process. This disconnect led Maria to realize that her approach, which followed an "informed model," had not allowed for sufficient stakeholder input early in the project.

How can leaders balance success and feedback?
Carrie emphasized that something can be both a success and a failure at the same time. Maria’s experience underscores the need to assess projects from multiple angles and through a variety of metrics. While the campaign delivered positive results, the internal feedback from stakeholders revealed an opportunity for growth in leadership practices. Leaders should adopt a 360-degree approach, assessing outcomes from every angle to learn and evolve.

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

Maria Kuntz

Maria Kuntz is a dynamic and growth-focused Communications and Marketing Director.

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