This February, Brad D. Smith and Christian Spears — both prominent leaders at Marshall University — teamed up to answer questions and share valuable life lessons during a keynote address at PACnet ‘23, an annual four-day conference hosted by software company Paciolan in Huntington Beach, California. This year’s theme was “Simplifying Success,” and aimed to inspire and empower those in attendance.
Brad, President of Marshall University, and Christian, Marshall’s Athletic Director, delivered a keynote address moderated by Sarah Davis, Senior Vice President of the University Partnership Group at Learfield. The theme of the address was “Lessons in Leadership” and initiated discussion on topics like shifting team mentality and taking care of those around you to win on multiple levels.
Although Brad and Christian covered a wide range of topics, a highlight of the address was discussion of design thinking methodology and how it is being instituted across Marshall. Brad, having used design thinking during his time as an executive leader in Silicon Valley, brought the concept to Marshall as a means of helping students approach challenges by falling in love with the problem, versus the idea. Design thinking is hailed as an effective problem-solving tactic, as it places emphasis on achieving a goal. It helps practitioners worry less about being wrong, which leads to greater creativity and solutions.
Introducing this methodology is one of Brad’s more recent initiatives to help Marshall University and its students move beyond ideas and get to impact. First-year students are required to take a six-week course in design thinking to kick off their academic journeys and Marshall staff members — including deans and faculty chairs — are also trained in this unique curriculum. Beyond the academic departments, Brad also discussed how the Marshall athletics department has also begun utilizing design thinking by implementing new initiatives, testing them out with fans and gauging feedback quickly.
At Marshall University, design thinking is taught at the MU iCenter, which is also home to the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator.
Christian and Brad also touched on the importance of adapting and improving processes as new tools and technologies are introduced, simultaneously working to ensure transitions are efficient and effective. Christian discussed how he and his team have “replaced outdated tools” (ROT) to best serve the visitor experience and the internal team.
“We’ve got to constantly update our old systems… our old tools. We’ve got to constantly remind ourselves that the things we’ve been doing and the way we’ve been doing them, there’s probably a better, more efficient way. Why wouldn’t we look at that and utilize it to its fullest capacity?” – Christian Spears on strategies for ROT while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness.
Similarly, when discussing employee retention university-wide, Brad talked about keeping his team engaged and proactively avoiding burnout by cultivating a safe place for employees where they feel comfortable to “raise their hand and say ‘I need a breather.’” Relating this initiative to top athletes, Brad stated, “There isn’t a single athlete at the top of their game that doesn’t take time to recover.”
The future is nothing but unpredictable. So, in an era of disruption, the ability for organizations and individuals alike to adapt to challenges and overcome adversity is a critical skill. Brad discussed how the field of higher education has been affected in recent years by disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and low student enrollment. When asked to elaborate on the biggest challenge he foresees Marshall facing, Brad noted that through challenge, the university must reimagine itself and focus on the bigger picture while never forgetting its core values. In getting this right, Marshall will find success and transform lives in the process.
“Our business model is challenged, and we have to imagine the version of who we want to be without losing who we are in the process… They [people] want to be part of a cause – something bigger than themselves. They don’t want to be ordinary, they want to be legendary. So we have to find a way to paint that vision and that future; bring people along but be willing to change the things we did in the past so we can be the version of who we want to be in the future. That takes a lot of negotiation, a lot of collaboration, and a lot of constructive debate…When we get it right we can not only be the reference case for others, we will have changed lives in the process.” – Brad D. Smith on the challenges facing Marshall University.
Though they’ve only worked together for a year and half, the collaboration between Brad D. Smith and Christian Spears is generating notable results for Marshall athletics. Through their continued partnership and the leadership they each bring to Marshall, the Thundering Herd is sure to see success both in its athletics department and across the larger university.
Listen in to Brad and Christian’s lessons from past challenges and their plans to push Marshall forward by watching the full address.
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