Today’s guest, Jim Knowlton, is the Director of Athletics at the University of California, Berkeley. He previously served in the same role at the US Air Force Academy, Rensselaer (Ren-Suh-Leer) Polytechnic Institute and as an interim at the US Military Academy at West Point. After 26 years on active duty in the US Army he retired as a Colonel and began his career leading Athletic Departments. In this episode you’re going to hear how he formed his leadership philosophy, which is very much a servant leader approach, and how he led Cal Athletics through the pandemic by being comfortable with not knowing but having his strategic plan serve as their guide. Jim shares why a strategic plan is critical and the unique approach they took to develop their plan.
Highlights
10:28 Going to West Point was a defining moment for him
13:38 West Point opened his eyes to leadership
15:16 His family also expected commitment from him as he entered West Point.
17:34 He loves his work as Director of Athletics because he can help student-athletes to be successful in life
18:58 He got the position at Cal because of the many people who helped him along the way
27:25 He suggests celebrating small victories
28:04 He developed core leadership core values by serving many bosses
29:08 Servant leadership, leadership by example, hands-on leadership, and caring for others are the things learned along the way
29:30 His leadership philosophy is taking care of people
30:22 The importance of the organizational vision
32:56 The importance of shared ownership of the plan
38:15 He switched early from crisis management to recovery management during the pandemic
40:00 He emphasizes the need to communicate plans and goals in the pandemic
42:52 Threats to the strategic plan: changes in the landscape and financial support
46:14 He believes in work-life integration.
Resources Mentioned
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
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Coaching Through Stories is sponsored by HigherEchelon, Inc. hosted and co-produced by HigherEchelon’s Director of High Performance, Dr. Eric Bean and co-produced by Siana Sylvester.
