Find Joy with Zac Selmon

In the final episode of season 4, 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.

In the Living Leadership segment I'm joined by Zac Selmon, the Director of Athletics at Mississippi State University. At the start of our conversation, Zac recounted watching his older sister, Megan Selmon Kelly play on the Trinity Women’s Basketball National Championship team in 2003 - what a fun way to kick it off. 

Zac was named to his current position after nearly 14 years working under legendary athletic directors at the University of North Carolina and University of Oklahoma. His perspective on leadership was shaped by those work experiences, but truly goes back to his family. His value statement, "Do as much as  you can for others," was developed by seeing his mom, dad, and uncles serve their communities with humbleness and a deep sense of benevolence.

I love how Zac describes leadership as an active, participatory enterprise and that great leaders: 1) listen to those they lead (rather than assuming they know what followers need); 2) act and make decisions that are rooted in purpose; and 3) have emotional intelligence and look to form strong relationship with team members. 

His message that we should take care of our inputs, look to differentiate ourselves, and be voracious learners might have been directed specifically at students in my leadership class, but are truly important for all of us to hear. 

And after you listen to our conversation, I think you'll agree that Zac does "find joy" through his work and family.