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!