Don’t Quit Before the Magic Happens | UC Irvine Dean Kristine Collins on Leading with Grit & Resilience
Release Date: 09/08/2025
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info_outlineKey Takeaways
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Practice is a leadership skill. Prep for meetings and crucial conversations the way athletes prep for games.
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Alignment beats “forced fun.” High-trust teams flow on clarity, feedback, and shared goals—not gimmicky offsites.
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Leaders manage performance. Diagnose problems early; avoidance costs culture and results.
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Don’t tap out early. Setbacks aren’t the ending—often they’re the setup.
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Vision needs repetition. Write it down, say it often, and hold steady through noise.
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Remote is different. Create new rituals to keep a pulse on your people.
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Self-awareness matters. Know your blind spots (precision vs. big picture), mood, and impact.
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Work–life alignment > balance. Sports, family, and community fuel better leadership.
Standout Moments
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Growing up in a sports-centric family shaped Kristine’s mindset: process, effort, and growth every day.
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Why “practice is everything”—and how leaders can script outcomes and language for tough talks.
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The feeling of an “invincible” team: trust, easy feedback, and simple, shared goals.
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Performance management as a duty: empathy first, clarity always, and decisive action when needed.
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Leading change inside a large bureaucracy with business-speed decisions.
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Setback story: losing a coveted role by email on Father’s Day → startup leap → recruited to UCI.
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“Don’t quit before the magic happens”—Naked & Afraid metaphor and betting on yourself.
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Work–life alignment: sport, book club, and a supportive partner create capacity to lead.
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Authentic leadership for women: likability vs. leadership, scrutiny, and owning your style.
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Tall-woman leadership: presence can be strength without intimidation.
Notable Quotes
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“Practice is everything—in sports and at work.” — Kristine
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“Alignment is gold. High-trust teams make feedback easy and progress inevitable.” — Kristine
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“Avoiding performance conversations creates bigger problems.” — Kristine
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“Don’t quit before the magic happens.” — Gina
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“Vision needs to be written, repeated, and protected.” — Kristine
About the Guest - Kristine Collins
Kristine Collins is the Dean of Continuing Education at UC Irvine, the youngest and first woman to hold the role. A former athlete and systems thinker, she blends servant leadership with business-speed execution. Recruited from Canada, Kristine’s path includes university leadership and a stint in the private sector at a VR startup.
About the Host — Gina L. Osborn
Gina L. Osborn is a retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Army counterintelligence veteran, former Chief Safety & Security Officer for LA Metro, keynote speaker, and host of Making Maverick Moves. She helps leaders navigate chaos, crisis, and change with courage and clarity.
Resources & Mentions
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Allen Iverson “Practice” press conference - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byR3Nda7azA
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Naked & Afraid: Last One Standing - https://www.discovery.com/shows/naked-and-afraid-last-one-standing
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UCI Division of Continuing Education - https://ce.uci.edu/
Connect
Follow Gina: www.ginalosborn.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube (@MakingMaverickMoves)
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