The Listening Strategist: Leading with Courage, Clarity, and Conviction in Times of Change
About this episode
Krista L. Newkirk J.D. discusses her leadership journey and the importance of listening in decision-making.
In this episode of IngenioUs , I sit down with President Krista L.Newkirk J.D.of the University of Redlands —an extraordinary leader whose journey to the presidency is as compelling as her approach to leadership. From her early years growing up on a cattle ranch in Missouri, to her career as an attorney, to leading complex institutional transformation, Krista’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose. What stands out most is her ability to navigate high-stakes decisions with both analytical rigor and deep humanity. At the heart of her leadership is a powerful—and often overlooked—skill: listening. As Krista shares, truly listening means understanding not just what people say, but what they feel—and that insight shapes how she leads, makesdecisions, and builds trust across her institution. In our conversation, we explore: Krista’s unconventional path to the college presidency What she learned stepping into leadership for the first time—and what surprised her most Why communication is more complex than we think (“people hear what they fear”) How she approaches decision-making in moments of uncertainty and risk What it really takes to lead mergers and institutional…
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