How Great Leaders Embrace Uncertainty - Dr. Connie Book Elon University
Release Date: 03/19/2026
How Great Leaders Embrace Uncertainty - Dr. Connie Book Elon University
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What does it take to lead boldly when the world is telling you to stand down? In this episode of Your Epic Pursuit, host Mike Mooney, CSP sits down with Dr. Connie Book, President of Elon University — a trailblazing leader who made some of the boldest institutional decisions in higher education during one of the most uncertain periods in modern history. Under Dr. Book's leadership, Elon has been ranked #1 in the nation for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report — five consecutive years. But the real story is how she...
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info_outlineWhat does it take to lead boldly when the world is telling you to stand down?
In this episode of Your Epic Pursuit, host Mike Mooney, CSP sits down with Dr. Connie Book, President of Elon University — a trailblazing leader who made some of the boldest institutional decisions in higher education during one of the most uncertain periods in modern history.
Under Dr. Book's leadership, Elon has been ranked #1 in the nation for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report — five consecutive years. But the real story is how she got there.
In this episode, you'll discover:
✅ The "force power" framework she learned at The Citadel — and how it saved Elon during COVID
✅ Why she signed a $50 million construction deal during the pandemic (and why it was the right call)
✅ How a nursing program launched in crisis is now sending graduates to Yale, Mass General & Johns Hopkins
✅ The "swing and miss" culture that makes teams more innovative — not less accountable
✅ The 3 Rs every great organization must maintain (from Bank of America CEO Hugh McCall)
✅ Why the wisdom is always in the group — and how to harness it without losing speed
✅ The renting vs. owning mindset shift that will change how you lead, live, and build
Whether you lead a team of 5 or an institution of thousands, this conversation will challenge you to stop planning your exit and start building your legacy.
🎙️ Your Epic Pursuit is a podcast hosted by Mike Mooney, CSP — leadership performance coach, keynote speaker, and former NASCAR performance professional. Each episode filters through the E.P.I.C. lens: Excellence, Presence, Intentionality, and Curiosity.
📌 Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction: Dr. Connie Book & Elon University
3:00 – The childcare center: A 20-year idea that finally happened
6:00 – Innovation is a process, not an aha moment
12:00 – Swing and miss: Building a culture of bold risk
18:00 – The 3 Rs: Relevance, Reputation & Reward
20:00 – The pandemic decision nobody expected
28:00 – Signing a $50M deal during COVID
31:00 – Launching nursing during a crisis
33:00 – The wisdom is in the group
38:00 – Renting vs. owning: The ownership mindset