In this powerful conversation, Brek sits down with longtime friend and higher education leader Scott Traylor to unpack a core leadership truth: saying “everyone matters” is easy... but making people feel it is what transforms culture.
Scott shares his journey of stepping into a vice president role during the Great Resignation, leading nearly 1,000 staff and faculty through turnover, burnout, and transition. Together, Brek and Scott explore:
Why trust, collaboration, and accountability became the cornerstone values for his team
How leaders can create environments where staff feel truly seen, heard, and valued
The difference between transactional leadership and value-driven leadership
Practical steps for slowing down, listening, and building rhythms that sustain healthy culture
Whether you’re leading a small team, a classroom, or an entire organization, this episode will challenge you to ask: “Do the people I lead feel that they matter?”
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about titles or results—it’s about people.
