Friday Nights with Debra Boughton

In the season 5 finale episode, I explore Hill's approach to Team
Leadership as detailed in chapter 16 from the 9th edition of
Peter G. Northouse's "Leadership: Theory and Practice." During
the segment, I highlight connections to our class' definition of
leadership, discuss the importance of a strong culture, provide
an overview of the model, and conclude with strengths and
criticisms of the model.


For the final Living Leadership interview of the year I'm joined
by Deb Boughton, the Deputy Athletic Director at Marshall
University. Before arriving at Marshall, she had a similar role
at Northern Illinois University. Deb is a 1997 Trinity University
alumna. While at Trinity she was a standout on the women's soccer
team and was in the first class of Trinity Master's of Accounting
program. 


She speaks glowingly about role models and mentors like her head
coach Nick Cowell, accounting professor Dr. Petrea Sandlin, and
Trinity's longtime Director of Athletics Bob King. Deb firmly
believes that nothing gets done if you haven't built strong
relationships and emphasizes the difference between management
and leadership. Speaking about relationships and the value of
intercollegiate athletics, Deb says "A coach connects you to a
program, but your teammates keep you there."


She highlights that great leaders see no boundaries or
limitations, but that they need strong colleagues to help them be
aware of the pitfalls or proverbial alligators. I love how she
describes what college athletics was for her and what it is for
so many others - a place to learn, overcome fears, and develop
confidence. During the conversation we discuss fruit salad versus
gumbo as metaphors for why diversity matters and her two tenets
of leadership: 1) reliability and 2) trust.


This is an amazing conversation to conclude season 5 and I hope
you enjoy!