In this episode, Kevin and Christian MM Brady discuss: Patience, empathy, and the “superpower” of leadershipMentorship, feedback, and StrengthsFinder in leadership developmentDiscernment of calling vs. chasing titles and positionsScripture interpretation, rabbinic literature, and ethical decision-makingThe future of higher education, training vs. education, and student calling Key Takeaways: Patience formed through hardship can become a powerful leadership asset, especially when balancing institutional demands with real human struggles like grief, illness, and immigration challenges.Leadership is often discovered gradually through community discernment and mentorship rather than by aggressively pursuing titles or positions.Strong mentors help people identify and cultivate their strengths instead of obsessing over weaknesses, while also being honest about limitations that need to be acknowledged or minimally improved.Distinguishing between education and training is critical: not everyone needs a four‑year degree, and true student success comes from aligning strengths, passions, and callings with the needs of the world.To lead well and avoid burnout, it’s essential not to take every criticism personally, but to discern what truly belongs to your role and remain grounded in your responsibilities and values. “Your calling is where your deep passion meets the world's deep needs.” – Christian MM Brady About Christian MM Brady: Dr. Christian M. M. Brady is a transformational administrator, scholar, and author who became Wittenberg University’s 16th president on June 1, 2025. In his first months, he launched a strategic planning process, forged new recruitment pipelines, secured leadership-level gifts, and helped renew a sense of hope across the Wittenberg community. In his Opening Convocation address, “Hope,” he argued that hope “is not simply a belief or an attitude; it is the first action we must take in any endeavor.” Before Wittenberg, he founded and led the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky as the T. W. Lewis Dean, growing it to more than 2,400 students and leading a $50 million campaign. He also served as interim dean of the UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, managing an $81 million budget, 440 faculty, 19 departments, and nearly 7,500 students. Previously, he transformed Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College into a national model for excellence, tripling applications, increasing selectivity, and raising more than $80 million. An expert in ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, Dr. Brady has published widely and held leadership roles in organizations including the Society of Biblical Literature and the International Organization for Targumic Studies. He holds degrees from Cornell University, Wheaton College Graduate School, and the University of Oxford, and serves as an Episcopal priest and Canon Theologian in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington. Connect with Christian MM Brady: Website: https://www.wittenberg.edu/administration/president | http://christianbrady.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianbrady/ Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS Email: coachkd63@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63
