The Leader Fast Lane

In this episode of Leader Fast Lane, I sit down with Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec for a candid conversation about leadership in one of higher education's most complex environments. Drawing on more than four decades at Texas Tech—as professor, dean, provost, and president—Dr. Schovanec shares practical insights on making difficult decisions, leading through uncertainty, b...

In this episode, I talk with an old colleague, Jesse Rudy, who is the Founder & CEO of Redeem International, a Christian non-profit dedicated to protecting some of the world's most vulnerable widows and orphans from violent abuse and exploitation.  Jesse is a leader I greatly admire. Listen as he shares about the risks of conflating your profession with your identity, how to deal with anx...

In this episode, I talk with Mike Millegan, an exceptional leader of four decades across several sectors. An alumnus of Angelo State University, Mike considers his time at ASU as formative and foundational to his remarkable career success.

In this episode, I talk with Cole Johnson, Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operations Officer for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Some highlights include: 6:28 - Seek to improve yourself and other opportunities will come; say "yes"  11:48 - "Brains are sexy": be a lifelong learner 20:54 - Collaboration and competition are needed to achieve big...

In this episode, I talk with Dennis Mikula, Jr., CEO of the Land Improvement Contractors of America (LICA). Dennis is an accomplished people-focused leader and world-class connector. In the episode, he shares: 5:37 - Leadership is more about people than operations 7:02 - His motto: People First. Purpose Always. Team Over All 11:51 - How to balance tradition and innovation/change 18:57 - How to mai...

In this episode, I had a delightful conversation with Amanda McAfee, President and CEO of the Lubbock Area United Way. Amanda is an amazing leader that builds value-driven teams, leads effective community collaboration, and raises up new leaders. Listen in as she talks about: 2:22 - Saying "yes" to opportunities as a young leader & learner 8:37 - Letting the journey take you where it...

In this episode, I talk with Steve Sosland, Founder & President of Second Mountain Coaching and former Vice Chancellor for Leader & Culture Development at the Texas Tech University System. Steve has decades of experience leading others and training up leaders. There's a lot here for leaders of all stripes. Steve shares: 5:00 - about his Army Ranger experience and what it taught him ab...

In this episode, I talk with Ginger Kerrick Davis, former NASA Flight Director and Regent at the Texas Tech University System. Ginger is an exceptional leader with practical insight and tips for leaders at all levels. Highlights of this episode include: 2:32 - Ginger's role in the development and success of Artemis II 6:00 - her admonition not to "model yourself" after other but to...

In this episode, I speak with Andrew Natsios, Executive Professor at the Bush School at Texas A&M. Andrew shares about his leadership experiences at the highest levels of politics, diplomacy, and higher education. We talk quite a bit about USAID and its legacy as well. Some key points: 2:34 - the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy 5:10 - how leading and managing differ 6:24 - &q...

In this episode, I am joined by Texas Tech University Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt. Kirby shares about: 1:59 - the role of an athletic director 6:31 - leaders he modeled his approach after 10:31 - how he makes decisions in a rapidly changing environment 17:26 - how to assess culture in an organization 19:00 - the guiding principles of the athletics department 20:38 - how to address high performe...

In this episode, I talk with Carlos Morales, CEO of Caprock Home Health Services. Carlos shares about: 4:26 - his leadership journey 8:21 - the importance of leaders continuously focusing on self-improvement 12:13 - new leaders don't need to know all the answers; instead, build a strong team 21:56 - his default instinct under pressure is collaboration 24:29 - the development of a values-based...

Join me as I speak with Midwestern State University Texas President Dr. Stacy Haynie. We talk about leaders needing to be willing to take punches, how to make difficult, weighty decisions, taking risks, MSU Texas's values of community and people-centeredness, learning from failure, the importance of showing up and being curious, and that control and trust are not friends as a leader. Dr. Hayn...

In this episode, I talk with Ken Parker, Vice President of Learning Innovation at Public Strategies. Ken has four decades of experience in technology and education and has keen insight into issues facing higher education today. We talk about when values are tested in leadership decisions, how difficult moments clarify what matters most, what distinguishes a learning organization from one that just...

In this episode, I am joined by Texas Tech University System Regent Clay Cash. We talk about hard work and humility being keys to success, developing grit, overcoming imposter syndrome, and servant leadership.

In this episode, I talk with Jamie McIntosh, an accomplished senior non-profit leader who shares lessons learned from his time leading work with International Justice Mission Canada, Compassion Canada, and World Vision Canada, among others. We talk about how to make wise decisions with heavy consequences, operating in the tension between mission purpose/passion and operational discipline, how to u...

In this episode, I am joined by Angelo State University President Ronnie Hawkins, Jr. President Hawkins, who retired from the Air Force as a Lt. General, shares his leadership journey, why he values mentorship, how leadership in higher education differs from leadership in the military, the centrality of character in a leader, how to have difficult conversations, balancing tradition with advancemen...

In this episode, I speak with Meredith Imes, Managing Director of Emergency Management at Texas Tech University, where she leads campus-wide efforts in preparedness, response, and recovery. We talk about the importance of mentors, effective communication and collaboration, the importance for leaders to exude calm in a crisis, leading under pressure, how to have tough conversations, and taking care...

In this episode, I talk with Sean Litton, President & CEO of the Tech Coalition, the organization leading the tech industry’s fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children with over 60 member tech companies committed to the fight. Sean has worked on the front line of child protection for over 20 years, serving as the Global President of International Justice Mission before joi...

In this episode, I am joined by U.S. Ambassador (ret.) Jean Manes. Ambassador Manes and I talk about looking for leadership opportunities where you are, the importance of self-development, advice for new leaders, having a network of mentors and confidantes, how to implement policies you may disagree with, creating an environment of trust, and more. 

In this episode I speak with Patrick Kramer, Texas Tech University System's Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, about leading in different organizational cultures, the power of integrity, and finding the courage to engage in challenging conversations. 

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Hendrick (Provost of Texas Tech University) about leading with integrity, the importance of leaders knowing their people, having difficult conversations, the essentiality of trust on a team and how to build it, and much more. 

The Leader Fast Lane podcast shares practical leadership principles drawn from accomplished leaders across higher education, public service, nonprofits, athletics, and global contexts—principles listeners can apply immediately to work and life. In this kickoff episode, Alex Ave Lallemant joins me and talks about his leadership journey from 25 years with the State Department and principles that hav...