Leadership

Anchored in Excellence: From CU to the High Seas

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:52:09 +0000

Anchored in Excellence: From CU to the High Seas Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:52

Erika Hanes

Admiral Stephen T. “Web” Koehler (Phys’86) has dedicated his life to the U.S. Navy. Inspired by his father’s career as a Navy pilot, Koehler began his own career in naval aviation upon graduating from CU, where he was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). After nearly 40 years as a naval aviator, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in April 2024.

How did your education at CU Boulder prepare you for a career in the Navy?

My studies in physics made me a more competitive recruit when I joined the CU Navy ROTC. This was especially beneficial when I attended the Navy’s Nuclear Power School later in my career, ultimately enabling me to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

What leadership principles do you prioritize when commanding a team, both in combat and in peacetime?

Whether in war or peace, operating well requires every individual to maintain a constant pursuit of excellence and a mastery of their area of expertise. A highly skilled team is able to make the extremely difficult look routine. Cooperation and teamwork are non-negotiable standards in any mission.

Reflecting on your roles in major operations, such as Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, what do you want the next generation of military leaders to know?

Every generation of leaders faces new challenges. Our success, however, depends on compassion, care, standards and true leadership of those who work for and with you. Only with a shared understanding of service and a common purpose will you succeed as a team.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the U.S. Navy in the coming years?

Since the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy has preserved and promoted a rules-based international order with relative peace and prosperity. In the years ahead, we must continue to strengthen our ability to maintain this peace and prosperity with cutting-edge technologies, the innovation of our warfighters, and enduring coordination with our allies and partners — and we always do so with honor, courage and commitment.

Can you share your favorite memory from your time at CU Boulder?

It is hard to pick a single memory. It varies from hiking and climbing in Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon to the CU football win over Nebraska in the fall of 1986. I still remember that win, because there is nothing like the taste of victory.

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Photo by Christopher Sypert

Admiral Stephen T. “Web” Koehler (Phys’86) shares his journey from CU to the high seas, highlighting the Navy’s enduring values of honor, courage and commitment.

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CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 20:36:30 +0000

CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 13:36

Maria Kuntz

Chancellor Justin Schwartz spoke with Coloradan editor Maria Kuntz about innovation, inclusion, sustainability and philanthropy as keys to CU’s future.

You said the chancellor position is exactly what you were looking for. Can you say more about that?

CU’s emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and innovation struck such a deep chord. These are things I’ve been working with at every stage of my career. There was such a strong, clear commitment to create a meaningful impact. I thought, “This is what’s important to me. This is what I want for the next stage of my career.”

You told the CU Independent that you’ve spent your entire career in large, state universities because it’s most meaningful to you. What is meaningful to you about the missions of these institutions?

Large, state universities were created to democratize access to information and give opportunities to all citizens. They are meant to advance individuals for their self-betterment and also to create knowledge for the betterment of others.

So they’re empowered to discover, not just learn from what has been discovered?

Yes. We’re not teaching people what to think so much as how to think. Higher education has to be creative — it’s about fueling a different kind of conversation that leads to something new.

You’ve recently launched a search for a new position: Vice Chancellor of Sustainability. Can you paint a picture of where CU will be in two, five and 10 years regarding sustainability?

Our goal is to advance an integrated, holistic view of sustainability across campus internally and externally so that our students, researchers and campus can have even more impact. This means putting sustainability into our curriculum and programs and asking: What does society need graduates to know and do to advance sustainability? How do we activate that knowledge? Ten years from now, I’d like the world to say, “Wow. CU Boulder was the one who helped bring together all these constituents across the country and around the globe to address the issue.”

You’re an engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. How do these identities and experiences inform your approach as chancellor?

This is a very innovative and entrepreneurial campus. Sometimes, in academia, we can be hesitant and conservative to try new things — but I want us to remember that it’s OK to fail. Many attempts at innovation don’t work the first time. For the best outcome, you probably have to experiment and experience a few false starts before you strike gold.

You’re open about your dedication to creating greater inclusion and belonging on campus. What are some of the next steps to growing and developing these areas as an institution and a community?

It’s a challenge of both culture and numbers. At many institutions, resources are poured into building numbers. However, what’s often missed is the slow, hard work of building the culture and sense of belonging needed to support those who are being invited in. Without that, inclusion doesn’t work.

We also need to reinforce the idea that inclusivity is truly including all. As a community of scholars, we should be dedicated to appreciating and giving credence to all views — which means all voices must be present and invited to speak.

I’ve heard you talk about life-work balance. What does that mean to you?

I appreciate that you said life-work balance. I tell my staff that I want them to look forward to the weekend, and I want them to look forward to Monday. I don’t want them to miss a moment with their loved ones because there’s something at work they have to do. There’s always a way around that. I have my daughter’s volleyball camp on my calendar. I want to make sure we are present where we are and that we all are where we really want to be.

You’ve been an avid triathlete for a few years, and I’ve seen your Instagram photos on area trails. Any favorite places to get outside?

There are so many great trails. I usually start on the Enchanted Mesa, then go around McClintock and the Mesa Trail. And there are so many more to explore.

You’ve jumped right into fundraising and engaging with Forever Buffs. Why is this important for CU’s future, and how can people support the university?

Beyond donations, spread the word. It’s important because we have a critically important mission to Colorado, to the country, to our students and to the world. We have too many students who would become Forever Buffs but for lack of funding. I don’t want students who belong at CU Boulder to not graduate because of finances. We also have amazing faculty doing incredible work, and breakthroughs rely on funding.

The other thing is the importance of alumni philanthropy. I want Forever Buffs to feel deeply and permanently connected to the campus. Some of the best moments in philanthropy are the connections between donors and beneficiaries. Sometimes, the stories bring tears.

You look touched. Something touched your heart just now, if you’ll share it.

I recently had a conversation with a student whose parents were well-educated, but their degrees were not recognized in the U.S. They each worked two jobs so that their two daughters could go to college, but only had money to send one to college.

However, the older daughter received a scholarship to study computer science, and the resources that were supposed to go to her went to her sister. So they both went to school.

That shows the value — that cascade effect of philanthropy. This story happens over and over again, every week.

When I talk about Forever Buffs being permanently connected with CU, it’s about remembering what got them where they are today. I’ve met so many successful alums who say: “I grew up low [socioeconomic status], and I wouldn’t be where I am in life if it weren’t for CU Boulder.”

It’s crucial to help alumni remember what it was like to be at the beginning of their journey. And that moment, when they see the impact of passing it on, is profound.

How do you envision continuing to build strong ties with communities across Colorado?

We are Colorado’s flagship institution. That means we’re the ship with the flag up high so that others can follow. CU needs to be more proactive in bringing CU Boulder across the state. We need to connect with and understand Colorado’s communities. And we need to partner with more institutions across the state and get more Coloradans excited to be CU Boulder students, alumni and supporters.

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Photos by Glenn Asakawa

We sat down with CU Boulder’s 12th Chancellor, Justin Schwartz, to find out why he says innovation, inclusion, sustainability and the power of philanthropy are keys to CU’s future.

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Setting Up Success: A Q&A with CU Volleyball's Taylor Simpson

Anna Tolette — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:16:52 +0000

Setting Up Success: A Q&A with CU Volleyball's Taylor Simpson Anna Tolette Tue, 11/12/2024 - 10:16

Andrew Daigle

Taylor Simpson (Fin’25) is in her final season as setter for CU women’s volleyball. While she calls the plays and touches the ball on nearly every point, Simpson says she is only one of “19 leaders on the team,” and that life after graduation might have to include some volleyball.

As a senior, how do you lead and mentor your teammates?

Communication is key. We have a high standard of holding each other accountable, whether it’s something we want to celebrate or something to improve. We have 19 leaders on the team — a freshman or sophomore can hold a senior accountable. Leadership is cyclical. We’re all kind of leaders, all with different roles and strengths.

Off the court, what helps the team to gel together?

We like to spend as much time together off the court as possible. We eat every meal together — seriously, I’ve eaten every meal in the last three years with my teammates. We appreciate each other as friends, whether that’s hanging out, going to the pool, watching a movie, whatever.

What stands out to you about this year’s team?

We are so close. We have 19 girls who are best friends, and that’s hard to come by. We have a lot of fun. We’re here to work, but we don’t forget our personalities. Last spring, our head coach Jesse Mahoney started “task Tuesdays.” We would get a paper with three tasks on it. Two would be volleyball related and one would be funny. One time, the third task was “Start dancing after you get a kill.” That stuff helps the team stay close.

Why did you choose CU Boulder?

An initial reason was CU being in the Pac-12, because I grew up on the West Coast. But honestly, I could totally see myself here when I came to visit. It’s so beautiful. Plus, the team culture has made it a home away from home. And now, with the move to the Big 12, I am excited to see new places. The conference switch has been great for the university.

What is something you’ve learned from coach Mahoney?

It’s hard to pick one. Coach Jesse is one of the most patient people I’ve met. Being patient is something that I’ve struggled with. He’s calm and collected. That attitude reflects onto the players. That’s helped me a lot in games when I’m frustrated or not playing my best.

How does the setter position work?

People compare the setter to a football quarterback. You run the court. You’re the one controlling everything. Ideally, you touch the ball every play. I find the best hitters to set the ball to and hope we can get a kill.

How do you communicate plays to your teammates?

My coaches pretty much give me free rein with play calls. We have about 20 plays, each with a different hand signal. I call them before serving. If it’s a chaotic situation, the hitters adjust to something simpler. We also watch a lot of film on our opponents — if they’re weak at blocking on the outside, we’ll set the outside as much as possible. Same if we see weaknesses in other areas.

In a match, you might have to set the ball up to 100 times. What kind of training program do you follow to sustain your health and strength?

We’re doing strength, cardio, circuits, power lifts, jumping. Working all parts of our bodies helps keep us in top condition. Nothing is getting too stiff. Nothing is getting weak. Communication with our trainers is so important. If I do something 100 times and it feels off once, I’m communicating that. Recovery and treatment are key as well.

What is your favorite part about playing volleyball?

I love the sport. It’s awesome how rapidly it’s growing. I met all my best friends through volleyball. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I started playing when I was 9, and it’s hard to imagine my life without it.

How does your team maintain such positive energy on the court?

Staying positive and supportive is one of the hardest skills to learn, even though it’s not physical. It’s something a lot of us have worked on. We do team workshops with our sports psychology staff to learn how to be better teammates. We are truly a family. These are my sisters. We want the best for each other.

What do you like to do off the court?

I love the ocean. The beach is my escape, my happy place. And I love to laugh with friends. It’s super important to joke and have fun.

Do you have plans for after graduation?

I have a wealth management internship. I’ll be taking exams once I graduate to get my financial planner license and my financial advisor license, along with a few others. Right now, that’s my plan. But I could see more volleyball in my future. I don’t know if I’ll be ready to give it up. Ask me in six months.

Interview by Andrew Daigle

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Photos by the University of Colorado

Taylor Simpson (Fin’25) is in her final season as setter for CU women’s volleyball. While she calls the plays and touches the ball on nearly every point, Simpson says she is only one of “19 leaders on the team,” and that life after graduation might have to include some volleyball.

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Phil DiStefano on the Lifelong Practice of Leadership

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Phil DiStefano on the Lifelong Practice of Leadership Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/16/2024 - 00:00

Philip DiStefano

In the months leading up to my retirement as chancellor of CU Boulder, I’ve had many occasions for retrospection.

The past 15 years leading this incredible campus have been among the most meaningful of my professional career. We have doubled our total research funding, awarded roughly 117,000 degrees, survived a global pandemic and made incredible strides in equity, innovation, athletics, sustainability, town-gown relationships and so much more. I leave this position confident about the state of the campus and optimistic for its future.

When I consider my background — a first-generation college student from a small steel town in Ohio — it’s easy to feel like I arrived here through happenstance.

But what I’ve come to realize over my 50-year career at CU Boulder is that leadership is within each of us. Whether in higher education, business, government or community organizations, leadership is a daily practice that requires courage, compassion, discipline, flexibility and humility. If we’re fortunate, it’s a journey that we continue every day of our lives.

Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by those who made a commitment to self-improvement and ethical leadership throughout their lives — people like Abraham Lincoln, Malala Yousafzai and the Dalai Lama.

This spring, I had the honor of meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a visit to Dharamshala, India, with the Renée Crown Wellness Institute and the Leeds School of Business. I traveled with students and young alumni in the Dalai Lama Fellows Program, a unique one-year fellowship that supports emerging social change-makers.

Through inspirational conversations, the Dalai Lama shared how compassion, connection and contemplation can break through societal barriers to create a more just and benevolent world.

At this stage of my life and career, I can think of no place more valuable to focus my attention than on developing compassion and ethics among the next generation of leaders. I’m excited to do that through my new role with the CU Boulder Center for Leadership starting this summer.

As the Dalai Lama reminded us, our world needs leaders of character who will bring integrity, intellect, empathy and open-mindedness to every challenge we face as a society.May we all embrace and embody those characteristics in our lifelong practice of leadership.

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Photo by Glenn Asakawa

Chancellor Phil DiStefano reflects on compassionate leadership, his years at CU and a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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Editor's Note: Summer 2024

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Editor's Note: Summer 2024 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/16/2024 - 00:00

Maria Kuntz

This summer, we examine powerful leadership skills: empathy, humility and emotional intelligence. I’d like to add one to that list — kindness. A few years back I found my favorite T-shirt: it’s charcoal gray with simple white lettering that reads, “kindness is magic.”

Kindness takes many forms: asking about someone’s day, giving the benefit of the doubt or offering help. In a bustling world, even a little can leave a lasting impact. I vividly remember a moment when a supervisor shared tough feedback with me. They communicated with kindness — enabling me to soak up their gift. I’ve never forgotten it.

This issue is packed with leaders who display kindness alongside strength and tenacity. Read about Philip P. DiStefano’s 15-year tenure as chancellor and enjoy other inspiring alumni profiles, including Ally Chapel, founder of jazz group Brass Queens, cycling legend Sepp Kuss, and chef and entrepreneur Bruce Bromberg.

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Photo courtesy Maria Kuntz

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Cooking With Kindness: Bruce Bromberg's Unique Approach to Leading Blue Ribbon Restaurants

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Cooking With Kindness: Bruce Bromberg's Unique Approach to Leading Blue Ribbon Restaurants Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/16/2024 - 00:00

Sarah Kuta

Reality TV shows often depict chefs as cruel, heartless tyrants, willing to make their staff cry in pursuit of the perfect bite. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Just ask Bruce Bromberg (Anth’88). For the last three decades, he’s led a team of extraordinarily loyal staffers at Blue Ribbon Restaurants, the growing restaurant group he co-founded with his older brother Eric Bromberg in 1992.

Blue Ribbon started with one intimate eatery at the edge of New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Since then, the company has expanded into different concepts — from sushi to bowling — and opened more than 20 locations nationwide.

Through it all, intentional leadership has been paramount to the team’s success.

“We wanted to create an environment where people flourished and wanted to come to work and wanted to learn, not just punch the clock,” said Bromberg. “We found that once we had that environment in place, everyone excelled.”

The results speak for themselves. Diners keep coming back to Blue Ribbon night after night — and so do its employees. Eleven of the 14 staffers who worked the restaurant’s opening night are still with the company more than 30 years later. Now, they’re all part-owners, too.

“[Eric and I] both worked in France in very oppressive and abusive kitchens,” said Bromberg. “They exist in America, they exist everywhere. But it was the last thing we wanted to have happen in our kitchens. There’s a better way.”

Bromberg’s own culinary journey started in his hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, where he grew up in a “very food-centric household.”

“Whether it was my grandmother and her traditional cooking or my father’s obsession with everything French, food was a really strong element in our childhood,” he said. “My father had a home in the south of France, and we would travel there in the summer and he would take us on day trips to every restaurant he could think of.”

Though many of his peers attended East Coast colleges and universities, Bromberg decided to head west. He enrolled at CU Boulder and majored in anthropology. When he graduated in 1988, he didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do next — only that he didn’t want a desk job — so he moved back to the East Coast. His brother, meanwhile, had studied at Le Cordon Bleu, the famed cooking school in Paris, and was running a restaurant in the Hamptons.

One evening, a chef where his brother was working called in sick, so Bromberg offered to pitch in and help.

“That was really it,” Bromberg said. “I spent that first night in the kitchen with Eric and was instantly enamored by the whole process.”

Bromberg followed his brother’s footsteps and headed to France to study at Le Cordon Bleu. When he returned, they went into business together and opened the first Blue Ribbon, a 48-seat “little hole in the wall,” he said. The name is a nod to their culinary training: Le Cordon Bleu means “the blue ribbon” in French.

The eatery was an overnight success, partly because it was open until 4 a.m. each day, attracting musicians, chefs, servers and other people who worked in hospitality and entertainment. The food, of course, was also a big draw.

Over 30 years later, Blue Ribbon’s sweeping success has only bolstered the brothers’ commitment to their people-first leadership approach.

“As a chef, I am a teacher. I’m constantly teaching. You have to be patient and respect every single individual in your environment until the last moment.”

For more information on Blue Ribbon Restaurants visit BlueRibbonRestaurants.com.

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Photos Courtesy Blue Ribbon Restaurants

Bruce Bromberg (Anth’88) and his brother Eric founded Blue Ribbon Restaurants in 1992, and prioritized leading their employees in a productive and welcoming environment. Some staff members remain with them more than 30 years later.

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Phil DiStefano: A Look at the Past 50 Years on Campus

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Phil DiStefano: A Look at the Past 50 Years on Campus Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/16/2024 - 00:00

Dave Curtin

Chancellor Phil DiStefano has always had a passion for education. As an undergraduate at Ohio State, he spent summers shoveling asphalt in his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio — where many of his fellow workers had elementary-level literacy. During lunch, DiStefano would break out the newspaper, offering reading lessons to his peers. “They liked sports, so I brought the sports section,” he said.

In 1960s Steubenville, young men typically found work in local steel mills — but CU Boulder’s 11th chancellor chose a different path, becoming the first in his family to attend college. From that summer job on the paving crew, he went on to earn the first of three degrees at The Ohio State University and began his career as a high school teacher in Wintersville, Ohio. As a new teacher, he quickly learned the town culture — no tests or homework on the first day of hunting season. When the town fire alarm blared, the students got up to leave. They were all volunteer firefighters.

DiStefano learned to respect the culture and read the room. It was the beginning of his evolution as a quiet and unpretentious leader, an approach that has guided him throughout his CU career as an educator, dean, provost and chancellor.

In DiStefano’s term at CU Boulder, the university has grown from a 20,000-student regional teaching campus to a 37,000-student research and learning powerhouse — a world leader in climate, health, quantum science, engineering and physics, to name a few.

As chancellor, he’s seen the campus through record fundraising and the doubling of research grants. He’s championed diversity and inclusion. Last academic year, half of the first-year students are women and a third are students of color. Applications for this fall’s class reached a record high.

DiStefano believes higher education is about more than career preparation and earnings. “It has the benefit of producing civil leaders who support and sustain a diverse democracy,” he said.

Now, as he prepares for this next transition, he reflects on the disciplines that have guided him throughout his career: listening carefully, learning from the community and practicing self-reflection.

As chancellor, he has worked with stakeholders at every university level and partnered with industry, business and community leaders. He’s advocated for CU in the legislature and on the national stage and has connected with people of all ages, demographics, interests and agendas.

But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Navigating the pandemic, rallying the campus through the devastating flood of 2013, and guiding CU through free speech issues — these moments kept him up at night.

In the fall of 2020, after much consultation with his leadership team, Chancellor DiStefano decided to open CU Boulder’s campus for in-person learning. Three months later, he reversed the decision as COVID cases spiked. “It was the wrong decision and the one I regret the most,” reflects DiStefano four years later. “We learned a lot from our mistakes during that time.”

It is a reminder that leadership carries hard lessons, even in the final quarter of a 15-year chancellorship — the longest in CU Boulder history.

DiStefano will draw upon those lessons to uplift future leaders in his new role as senior executive director at the Center for Leadership, a multidisciplinary program preparing tomorrow’s leaders to address complex issues. This July, he returns to the School of Education faculty where he began his CU career in 1974.

“What I want to be remembered for is that the decisions I made were always in the best interests of the university, never personal,” DiStefano says. “I want the campus to be better than when I started — high-quality education for students, research improving the lives of more people, and creating a better world through our teaching, research and service.”

Chancellor Phil DiStefano has spent 50 years on campus; Here’s what he’s seen over the years.

1974: DiStefano joins CU Boulder as assistant professor in the School of Education, embarking on his 50-year career on campus.
1976: CU Boulder establishes the nation's first student-led campus recycling program, foretelling CU's national leadership in sustainability.
1986: DiStefano begins his 10-year appointment as dean of the School of Education. He later became the campus’s first provost and executive vice chancellor.
2008: Folsom Field becomes first zero-waste football stadium, igniting a nationwide stadium sustainability trend.
2009: DiStefano appointed chancellor on May 5, the beginning of a 15-year tenure as the campus’s longest-serving chancellor.
2012: CU wins fifth Nobel Prize, all in a 23-year stretch: four in physics, one in chemistry.
2013: Historic flood closes campus and roads: 515 people evacuated, 120 buildings damaged, rare art collections and valuable research saved.
2016: CU Boulder Tuition Guarantee launches, allowing students and families to accurately predict the total, four-year cost of attendance.
2021: Annexation of CU Boulder South to protect lives and property through flood mitigation, creating newly designated open space and providing new housing to relieve pressure on the Boulder community.
2023: Groundbreaking of an on-campus conference center and hotel, the result of years of collaboration between the city and university to strengthen the campus-community connection.
Today: Record-high retention and graduation rates, donor and research funding; largest and most diverse incoming class.

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Photos courtesy Hertiage Center, Casey A. Cass, Glen Asakawa, Coal Creek Fire Rescue

Chancellor Phil DiStefano has seen CU Boulder go through plenty of ups and downs over the past 50 years. Now, as he prepares to take on a new chapter, he reflects on his time as a Buff.

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Soft Skills Are the New Power Skills

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Soft Skills Are the New Power Skills Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/16/2024 - 00:00

Katy Hill

For decades, the archetypal C-suite executive stood tall as a domineering figure, leading from a distant corner office. Interpersonal skills — literally labeled “soft skills” — were seen as expendable on the corporate ladder.

However, a growing body of research shows that company leaders who exhibit communication, flexibility and compassion help teams collaborate more effectively, motivate workforces and retain employees. As a result, modern paradigms are shifting to reframe these “soft skills” as highly coveted “power skills” among today’s top leaders.

“Being a good leader is being a good human,” said Tony Kong, associate professor of organizational leadership and informational analytics at Leeds Business School. “When a leader can show tenderness, sympathy and compassion, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty, it can trigger employees’ feelings of gratitude and make them want to go above and beyond.”

The stress and upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for empathetic leaders and a more nurturing workplace culture, Kong said. And today, corporate downsizing and emerging technologies further compound that need. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, skills like creativity, resilience, flexibility, self-awareness and empathy will be among the most valued over the next five years.

Kong, also the faculty director of Leeds’ leadership certificate, and David Hekman, associate professor of organizational leadership and information analytics, share more research-backed insights about the benefits of empathy and humility in company leadership and why leaders at all levels need to embody these skills.

The surprising power of humility

By acknowledging their mistakes, highlighting others’ strengths and exhibiting a learning mindset, leaders cultivate a workplace culture oriented toward growth.

“Humility in leadership benefits teams, individuals and entire organizations,” Hekman said. “It helps people experience more psychological freedom, authenticity, job satisfaction, improved team performance and motivation.”

Hekman studies how leader humility influences team performance. One such study, published in the Academy of Management Journal in 2016, examined the operations of 84 laboratory teams and 77 health care teams. It revealed that when leaders exercise humility, it can effectively propagate throughout a team.

“Humility spreads — it’s contagious,” Hekman said. “It enhances feelings of safety, so you can feel safe speaking up to your boss. It reduces turnover and results in a more motivated workforce.”

Although it’s clear that leader humility benefits teams and organizations, there is a widespread belief that humility may hinder leaders from advancing through the corporate ranks.

However, Hekman’s recent research indicates that there is a “humble route” to career advancement.

“Conventional wisdom is that you’ve got to be Machiavellian and self-promote and bully to rise to the top, but humility is also a catalyst for leadership success,” said Hekman, who co-authored a study on humility and career advancement that was published in the January 2024 edition of the Journal of Human Resource Management.

Informal career mentoring, which helps cultivate a network of loyal followers, is key to humble leader advancement. “It gives them status in the organization because passing on skills, tips and tricks builds up a lot of social capital,” Hekman said. “So they build this network of people who end up being an army of very talented, very motivated, trusting people, which is unbeatable.” The elevated status often leads to promotions.

Warmth in the workplace

Interpersonal warmth is also crucial in fostering a positive workplace culture, Kong’s research shows. Employees are more likely to be engaged and motivated when a leader is understanding and supportive. Similarly, leaders who convey “warmth” can build trust with their direct reports, fostering open communication and acceptance of new ideas.

Warm and empathetic leaders can also help lessen employees’ negative work stress. According to a study published in April 2023 in the Academy of Management Journal and co-authored by Kong, whether an employee sees a work stressor as a challenge or threat hinges on how they view their direct manager.

Based on two surveys of more than 250 employee-leader pairs in 234 companies and organizations in more than 40 industries in China, researchers found that employees view the prospect of performance-based pay raises positively when they view their manager as competent and warm.

Capable and supportive leaders create fulfilling work environments, inspiring employees to rise to the challenge with increased work engagement and performance.

On the other hand, “If my leader is cold, untrustworthy, unfriendly and unsupportive, then I’ll perceive pay for performance as a threat,” Kong said. “I’ll be stressed and withdraw from my work, maybe coming to work late and leaving early. I will perform worse because I’m disengaged.”

Kong’s research also shows the importance of prioritizing employees’ psychological needs during a crisis. A 2021 study he co-authored, published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, surveyed employees during the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that when supervisors acknowledged their employees’ suffering and provided emotional support and flexibility, it improved relationships and evoked gratitude among their reports. It also helped employees adapt and increased their engagement at work.

The study underscores why prioritizing human connection is essential for a positive work culture, Kong said.

“When a leader shows empathy, people appreciate it,” Kong said. “They actually do more even though it’s not a requirement.”

A cornerstone for inclusion

Empathy can help managers lead with inclusivity and better understand others’ perspectives and worldviews.

According to a 2021 survey by Catalyst, employees across different genders and racial groups feel more valued and respected while working with an empathetic leader compared to less empathetic ones.

Kong said it’s also important for leaders to consider diversity in a wider context.

“Diversity is very complex, but often we fixate our attention on demographics and forget that people have different perspectives, different backgrounds and different ideologies,” said Kong, who teaches a module on managing diversity in Leeds’ Executive Leadership Program.

“Instead of using demographics as a proxy, why don’t we try to better understand people’s perspectives, worldviews and experiences? That’s using empathy to understand and respect others’ points of view.”

Empathetic leaders value diverse perspectives and create a culture of respect, acceptance and unity, which helps foster a sense of community among employees.

“Over time, I think practicing empathy will not only give you emotional talent, but also cultural intelligence,” said Kong.

Powering up “soft skills”

Empathy and emotional intelligence are hard to quantify, and they’re often overlooked when it comes to hiring, according to Kong.

“It’s not a luxury for leaders to have empathy. It is a necessity,” said Kong. “But oftentimes, we promote leaders in terms of technical skills. And sometimes we find that they don’t understand people. They only understand what they do, but they don’t understand who they’re working with.”

Kong explained that companies often prioritize short-term performance over long-term culture building because return on investment (ROI) is not attached to these relationship-building skills. “We need to shift the thinking about who we hire, who we promote and what kind of culture we want,” he said.

Hekman and Kong believe companies should implement systems that promote and cultivate “power skills.” For example, human resources departments can work with companies’ leadership to promote mentoring programs, create systems that provide transparency, and facilitate leadership training programs that contribute to career success and organizational growth.

Meanwhile, company leaders at any level should focus on providing quality feedback to employees more often, Kong said. “Providing good feedback is a skill set. It’s a leadership skill that requires empathy,” he said.

“A lot of times leaders do not know how to give feedback, but employees crave it for self-growth,” he added. “Try to frame feedback sessions as more constructive and focus on strengths instead of limitations. Take perspective and try to put the right people in the right positions according to their strengths.”

This shifting emphasis promises lasting repercussions — especially as companies integrate AI technology into their operations. According to recent research, employers will increasingly value these “power skills” that enhance human interactions in the AI age.

“We don’t know what is going to happen, but my hunch is that our human advantage is going to be our [interpersonal] skills,” Hekman said.

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Illustrations by Ben Kircher

“Soft skills” are getting a rebrand. Studies show today’s business leaders need increasing levels of empathy, humility and emotional intelligence to navigate a rapidly changing world.

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The Coloradan's Q&A with Coach Prime

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Coloradan's Q&A with Coach Prime Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/10/2023 - 03:00

Maria Kuntz

The Coloradan sat down with Deion Sanders on the eve of the spring game to discuss leadership, coaching and Buffs football.

What drew you to coaching?

What drew me to coaching was fulfilling a need. I was watching my youngest two sons at football practice, and it was horrible. I mean, the coaches didn’t know what they were doing, and they had these kids colliding and hitting each other. So I went out there and tried to teach them the proper protocol for doing what they needed to do. And I sat back down like a real parent. Then I saw something else and I couldn’t take it. So I went out there and helped them.

By the second or third time, I was running the whole practice. I said to myself, ‘If you’re gonna do this, you’re not going to do it with nobody else. Do it your own way.’

How did you know you were meant to be at CU?

Well, God places you where you’re not necessarily wanted, but you’re necessarily needed. That is not just a need at CU for the football department. There’s a need in this whole city and state for equality and to improve the equilibrium in race. I think we are at 3% Black students on this campus — if that. So God takes me to these types of places so I could bring something to the table that hasn’t been fathomed.

And I’ve always been in those situations — going to play football in Atlanta, going to the Atlanta Braves or Cincinnati … Everywhere I go, I’ve got to be a product of change. I never go anywhere where everything is good, everything is glowing, everything is wonderful, everything is kind, everything is generous. It’s always a situation that needs to be fixed or needs to be improved.

Is there an aspect of Boulder that has surprised you?

The beauty, the serenity, the calmness, the willingness to understand. I love that. There’s so many more, but those are the top ones that get me to the place I want to be.

What is your vision for CU Boulder football and the Forever Buffs community?

It’s hard to just say what the vision is. Let’s talk about the goals. The goals are to win. Winning is not just what is placed on the scoreboard. Because I could win out there every game, but if we failed in graduation rate, we didn’t win. I could win out there every game and we could get all these kids graduated, but if several of them are having a kid out of wedlock and not being a father of their own children, we did not win.

If we’re not maturing these young men to be leaders who understand life and are willing to embrace and love and understand and help and assist, we didn’t win. It’s an enormous challenge. If you sent me your son at 18 and I sent him back at 21 and he hadn’t changed, we lost.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership means you’re much more than just the person in the front. You’re much more than the person who may get the first or last word. You’re much more than the person who’s the most visible. A leader doesn’t have to walk in the front. A leader doesn’t have to speak the loudest. A leader does not have to command the most finances in the building. A leader is a leader, and no one can teach you how to lead. That’s in you.

Are there one or two characteristics that define your leadership?

I can’t define my leadership. Someone else would have to define it. Because I walk ... I move different than most. And my music don’t play on the same beat that yours may play. And I’m not looking for your approval. I’m not looking for a check by my Instagram or Twitter. I don’t need validation from others, not whatsoever. Because I have a higher calling, and I could hear [God’s] voice in the midst of boos or cheers. I could hear his voice and know where to go.

Who have been your mentors and inspirational leaders?

My mother is not a mentor — she’s my mama. But she’s always been the one. I had some wonderful men in my life, many of whom have passed away, but they left their imprint on my heart. My youth coach, Dave Capel, who took me from the inner city to the other side of town and opened my windows of life to let me see some things I would’ve never seen.

My high school coach, Ron Hoover, we had a rule: If you get suspended, you get kicked off the football team. And he kicked me off the football team when I got suspended junior year — even though the suspension wasn’t my fault. I was trying to break up something in the library. And my coach was mad and upset, but he kept his word. And that changed my life because now I understood discipline and true leadership.

Mickey Andrews and Bobby Bowden when I went on to college and the other different coaches that I had in my life — it was a plethora of coaches, teachers, people and positions that God took me through on my journeys that I had to pass by and pass through. But I took something from them and kept them sacredly.

How do you motivate players?

You don’t try to motivate players. You are who you are. Every player is not the same, but that [relationship] comes from sitting on that couch with the mother or father or uncle or friend or aunt or coach — someone in his life who has been a value. You’ve got to know those things.

So I may whisper to a kid, ‘Mama have to work today.’ That may not mean nothing to you, but a mama told me she was driving an hour and a half to work every day to support his little butt. Now he’s coming to college trying to make it happen. He’s forgetting that Mama’s still driving to work every day while he’s out there loafing. But he made Mama promise that one day he was going to take care of her. So all I have to do is say, ‘Mama have to work today.’ And he reflects on that moment.

It is an open relationship because I want them to understand my ‘why.’ I can’t just tell these guys, ‘Hey man, I don’t want you laying down on the field.’ That’s one thing to say that but it’s another thing to say, ‘You know what? I played the game 14 years. No one ever had to get me off a field.’

One time I fell and cracked my eye socket. I remember the guy who played cornerback on the opposing team played with me a year prior. I heard his voice and I said, ‘Push me the way my sideline is.’ And he pushed me that way and I ran off the field. Next thing I know, I’m in the ambulance and I had surgery like two days later there, but never did they have to get me off the field. But if the kids don’t understand that story, they don’t understand my why.

What do you want your legacy to be?

That I’m the best father that ever lived. That’s it.

Now that you have the tools of social media, what is the story you’re trying to share with the world?

Hope, man. I instill hope. We’ve got another hour. We may have another day. Even if we don’t, what are you going to do with your now? We’ve got so many people in life upset with yesterday and so afraid of tomorrow that they’re missing their now. I dominate my now, every darn moment God gives me, even this moment right now, I’m going to dominate it because this is my now.

I’m going to win today, which is going to prepare tomorrow. And I forgot about yesterday. I ain’t got time for it.

What’s important to you that you want readers — CU Boulder alumni, fans and supporters — to know?

As much as they think they need me, I need them just as much because of what we’re trying to accomplish. I need them to see what can possibly be and what’s going to be. And I need them to forget about what was. I need them to be all in. I need them to get in the game.

It’s one thing to be in the stadium, but it’s another thing to be in the game. One thing to be in the crowd, but it’s another thing to be in the game. It’s one thing to be over there cheerleading with pom-poms, but it’s another thing to be in the game. It’s one thing to have an instrument, blowing the tuba or whatever they’re playing in the band, but it’s another thing to be in the game.

I need everybody in that stadium to be in the game because this is the genesis of what’s coming, and that starts tomorrow.

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Photos courtesy CU Athletics

Read Coach Prime's winning mentality and leadership philosophy

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The Prime Effect

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The Prime Effect Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/10/2023 - 00:00

Kasim Kabbara

The “Prime Effect” has arrived in Boulder … but what, exactly, is it?

Is it the fact that the Colorado Buffaloes — a football team that won one game last year — became the only team in the nation to have their spring game aired live on ESPN this year?

Is it the 600% increase in followers to CU football’s social media accounts since Deion Sanders, known as Coach Prime, was hired in December?

Is it the way Coach Prime merchandise initially sold out after each restock in CU gear shops around Colorado?

Perhaps it’s all of that and more — it’s even bigger than sales and stats. The Prime Effect is also about Coach Prime’s “Midas Touch” — the way he seems to enhance situations and environments once he enters the picture.

Deion Sanders spent three seasons at Jackson State University (JSU), where he put an ultra-positive jolt in the backs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). He generated the equivalent of $185 million in advertising and exposure revenue for the JSU athletic department in less than a year on staff, according to an April 2021 article in USA Today. JSU’s football team went 27–6 — a complete turnaround from the continuous under .500 team records in the years before Coach Prime’s arrival — and on College GameDay 2022, ESPN entered Jackson, Mississippi, for the first time in history.

The Prime Effect transformed Jackson State, and Buffs are ready to see what effect it will have on Boulder.

The Prime Effect Is Unapologetically Black

“Coach Sanders’ impact as a father figure for students on campus and his players is amazing.”

2020 census data shows that Colorado has experienced growth in racial and ethnic diversity in the past 10 years, but CU Boulder remains predominantly white.

CU’s total enrollment is over 36,000 students. Roughly 66% of those students are white, 12% are Hispanic, 9% Asian American, 7% international, 1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, 1% unknown and almost 3% are Black, or approximately 800 undergraduate students and 150 graduate students.

Already, Coach Prime is making an effort to support Black community members at CU, and in turn, they’re rooting hard for Coach Prime and the team to succeed.

Reiland Rabaka, founder and director of the Center for African & African American Studies (CAAAS) and a professor in the ethnic studies department, is already impressed by the man CU hired to lead its football team.

“Coach Sanders’ impact as a father figure for students on campus and his players is amazing,” Rabaka said. “The man truly cares about his community.”

On Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, the CAAAS hosted its grand opening — and Deion Sanders was there. Feb. 1 was also National Signing Day, a pivotal day for high school senior athletes. It’s the day many athletes sign a national letter of intent, declaring where they intend to play Division 1 football. Coach Prime spent part of his day with future Buffs headed to the football team, and he also celebrated with Black Buffs on campus, creating and continuing a legacy of African Americans in Boulder.

“He’s almost a sensei; that brother is a blessing for this university,” Rabaka said. “Most coaches don’t realize it’s not always about what you do on the field, but off the field, and Sanders showing up for us on this day of all days shows me the type of man he’s developing in that locker room.”

The Prime Effect “Ain’t Hard to Find”

The 2023 CU spring game sold out with more than 47,000 in attendance (tickets cost $10). That’s more people for a single scrimmage than the past nine spring games combined, all of which were free — and completely shatters the record of 17,000 attendees in 2008.

The spring game, which was broadcast on ESPN, hosted 260 members of the media. The school record for most media credentials at one game is 601, a record set in 1989 when Colorado beat Nebraska to head to the Orange Bowl. The university made around $200,000 net profit from the game, including $123,000 in merchandise revenue, and about $143,000 in concessions.

The buzz around this team is simply hard to ignore, and everyone even remotely involved is benefiting. It’s been 27 years since CU has sold out season tickets, and it’s the first time they sold out before August.

“The thing that I think I’ve noticed more than anything on campus is the excitement level,” said Patrick Ferrucci, CU Boulder associate professor of journalism. “Being here eight years, I think there was maybe one year where people kind of even really cared about the football team. I was at a university meeting where they were joking about how they used to give away tickets, and they were like, ‘Just know that that’s not going to be the case this year.’”

His first night in Boulder, Coach Prime said, “I’m coming,” which has remained a catchphrase. A few days later he quipped, “I’m not hard to find,” referencing his social media presence. Surrounded by his son, Deion Sanders Jr., and a team of content creators, he’s constantly posting footage from practice, his office and even local hangouts.

This always-on, insider approach to CU Boulder football has catapulted his accounts to a whole new level: As of June 2023 he had 3.3 million followers on Instagram and 291,000 YouTube subscribers.

Sanders has posted reels of team practices, reviews of Boulder restaurants and CU facility tours with Colorado legends like former NBA Final MVP Chauncey Billups (Soc ex’99) and Kordell Stewart (Comm ex’95; BA’16), high-profile fans like rapper Lil Wayne and even his mother.

“Sanders and his team, with the way that they use social media, do a great job, especially emotionally,” Ferrucci said. “In our program, we teach social media storytelling, and I think there’s a lot that our students could learn from the way that they use [it] to get their stories across in a way that resonates with a lot of students and alumni.”

Bigger Than Football

“Sanders and his team, with the way that they use social media, do a great job, especially emotionally.”

Teaching associate professor Jamie Skerski taught the “Communication, Culture & Sport” course at CU, a campus favorite where students discuss the intersection of athletics, sexism, racism, culture and politics. Since 2020, when CU students joined nationwide racial inequity protests and Black Lives Matter demonstrations, she’s noticed a shift in students, she said. With Coach Prime’s arrival, classroom conversations are becoming increasingly nuanced, too.

“I feel a shift in the level of conversations about and around privilege in my classroom,” Skerski said. “That’s not to say that there are not structural problems at CU or in Boulder, because there certainly are, but students can recognize and talk about them with more sophistication. The arrival of Coach Prime comes at a time when many students can appreciate that the moment is here, and is bigger than football.”

Skerski believes white students at CU Boulder are starting to check themselves and their classmates when conversations about racial inequalities arise, especially relating to Coach Prime’s position on campus and the world.

“In terms of understanding larger cultures and racial inequities coinciding at the same time, I know at least my students are much more aware of their white privilege and have a stake in the way these conversations are happening inside and outside of the classroom,” she said. “They for sure see this Deion Sanders moment as an intersection of all of the things we teach in our course.”

And Coach Prime, who is unapologetically himself, is making an impact on the Boulder community in unexpected ways.

When he visited Village Coffee Shop as part of his food review tour, he gave them an “A-.” They could have had a higher grade, he said, but Coach Prime appeared jokingly appalled that the cafe, like many others in Boulder, did not serve grits, an African-American staple food dating back to the transatlantic slave trade.

Since Coach Prime posted the video, there has been a surge in Boulder diners serving grits and other traditionally African-American fare. Two local restaurants even named items on the menu after Coach Prime.

A simple gesture like a restaurant serving grits can help build a sense of community and belonging — creating unity among fans and the coaching staff.

Coach Prime’s presence in Boulder and on social media is igniting conversations about important social issues. He may be here to coach football, but his impact is far greater.

Once in a Lifetime

Regardless of the Buffaloes’ success on the field, wins are — hopefully — guaranteed. Everyone will find out when the Buffs kickoff against Texas Christian University on FOX’s Big Noon telecast. But the community and player development are worth more than any Pac-12 championship trophy.

This year, the Buffs are transforming their outlook and building a program that fits Sanders’ vision of a winning team — both on and off the field. And that is the Prime Effect.

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Illustrations by Timba Smits

Surging social accounts, sold-out tickets and ESPN are just the start.

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Leadership

Anchored in Excellence: From CU to the High Seas

How did your education at CU Boulder prepare you for a career in the Navy?

What leadership principles do you prioritize when commanding a team, both in combat and in peacetime?

Reflecting on your roles in major operations, such as Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, what do you want the next generation of military leaders to know?

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the U.S. Navy in the coming years?

Can you share your favorite memory from your time at CU Boulder?

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CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz Is Setting a New Pace

You said the chancellor position is exactly what you were looking for. Can you say more about that?

You told the CU Independent that you’ve spent your entire career in large, state universities because it’s most meaningful to you. What is meaningful to you about the missions of these institutions?

So they’re empowered to discover, not just learn from what has been discovered?

You’ve recently launched a search for a new position: Vice Chancellor of Sustainability. Can you paint a picture of where CU will be in two, five and 10 years regarding sustainability?

You’re an engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. How do these identities and experiences inform your approach as chancellor?

You’re open about your dedication to creating greater inclusion and belonging on campus. What are some of the next steps to growing and developing these areas as an institution and a community?

I’ve heard you talk about life-work balance. What does that mean to you?

You’ve been an avid triathlete for a few years, and I’ve seen your Instagram photos on area trails. Any favorite places to get outside?

You’ve jumped right into fundraising and engaging with Forever Buffs. Why is this important for CU’s future, and how can people support the university?

You look touched. Something touched your heart just now, if you’ll share it.

How do you envision continuing to build strong ties with communities across Colorado?

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Setting Up Success: A Q&A with CU Volleyball's Taylor Simpson

As a senior, how do you lead and mentor your teammates?

Off the court, what helps the team to gel together?

What stands out to you about this year’s team?

Why did you choose CU Boulder?

What is something you’ve learned from coach Mahoney?

How does the setter position work?

How do you communicate plays to your teammates?

In a match, you might have to set the ball up to 100 times. What kind of training program do you follow to sustain your health and strength?

What is your favorite part about playing volleyball?

How does your team maintain such positive energy on the court?

What do you like to do off the court?

Do you have plans for after graduation?

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Phil DiStefano on the Lifelong Practice of Leadership

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Editor's Note: Summer 2024

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Cooking With Kindness: Bruce Bromberg's Unique Approach to Leading Blue Ribbon Restaurants

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Phil DiStefano: A Look at the Past 50 Years on Campus

Chancellor Phil DiStefano has spent 50 years on campus; Here’s what he’s seen over the years.

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Soft Skills Are the New Power Skills

The surprising power of humility

Warmth in the workplace

A cornerstone for inclusion

Powering up “soft skills”

Related Articles

The Coloradan's Q&A with Coach Prime

The Coloradan sat down with Deion Sanders on the eve of the spring game to discuss leadership, coaching and Buffs football.

What drew you to coaching?

How did you know you were meant to be at CU?

Is there an aspect of Boulder that has surprised you?

What is your vision for CU Boulder football and the Forever Buffs community?

What does leadership mean to you?

Are there one or two characteristics that define your leadership?

Who have been your mentors and inspirational leaders?

How do you motivate players?

What do you want your legacy to be?

Now that you have the tools of social media, what is the story you’re trying to share with the world?

What’s important to you that you want readers — CU Boulder alumni, fans and supporters — to know?

Related Articles

The Prime Effect

The Prime Effect Is Unapologetically Black

The Prime Effect “Ain’t Hard to Find”

Bigger Than Football

Once in a Lifetime

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