In this episode of Candid Conversations on Leadership, co-hosts Chris and Candice dive into the ever-relevant topic of prioritization, offering an honest and insightful look at how leaders can—and should—learn to let go of the right things. Drawing from personal experiences and organizational challenges, they unpack the delicate art of managing commitments, saying no with intention, and aligning daily actions with both personal values and strategic goals.
Candice, who shares that she has recently been on jury duty, frames the conversation with a refreshing perspective on how unexpected interruptions can become a gift—a moment to pause and reassess. Chris picks up the thread with a story about a keynote presentation he gave, where he introduced the idea that committing to the right “yes” often means saying “no” more often. Together, they explore the complexities of overcommitment, particularly in leadership roles where saying no can feel risky or counterproductive.
The discussion branches into both organizational and personal strategies. Chris discusses how to navigate “speaking truth to power” and how aligning work with clearly articulated goals can help filter out low-priority demands. Candice contributes her own powerful metaphor of juggling “crystal balls” and rubber ones, encouraging listeners to protect the aspects of life—like family and core values—that can’t be dropped without consequence. She outlines how values like lifelong learning, inclusion, and collaboration help her determine which tasks deserve her time and energy.
From tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to managing emotional responses to rejection or urgency, the episode is rich with practical advice. Both hosts also take time to reflect on their own struggles—Candice with letting go of conflict after a project is done, and Chris with procrastination disguised as productivity. They end the episode with a shared reminder: while no one is perfect, self-awareness and alignment with one’s values can help guide even the busiest leaders toward more meaningful focus.
Chris introduces the Eisenhower Matrix tool. More information is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT89OZ7TNwc and https://asana.com/resources/eisenhower-matrix
Candice Solomon-Strutz and Chris Tidrick are IT leaders at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and collectively have more than 50 years of experience working in higher education. Candice is currently the Senior Director of IT Partners at the College of Applied Health Sciences and Chris is the Chief Information Officer and Senior Director of IT Partners at the Gies College of Business.
