Leading Change Through Listening: Building Trust, Buy-In, and Collaboration
Special Guest: Sharon Ayala, Vice President for Marketing, Abilene Christian University
Change rarely fails because of strategy.
It fails because of misalignment, lack of trust, and leaders moving too fast without truly listening.
In this episode of Leadership & Learning, Dr. JBT sits down with Sharon Ayala, Vice President for Marketing at Abilene Christian University, to explore what it really takes to lead meaningful change, especially when that change extends beyond your own department.
Sharon brings deep experience leading teams through disruption and transformation, reimagining marketing not simply as a service function, but as a driver of institutional momentum, influence, and growth. Throughout the conversation, she shares how clarity of vision, intentional listening, and cross-functional collaboration become essential leadership tools when the path forward is still emerging.
Together, they unpack what it looks like to:
Gain buy-in from stakeholders outside your direct authority by building shared understanding rather than pushing agendas
Create a collaborative mindset across departments with competing priorities
Build trust with your own team by listening deeply both to what is said and what remains unspoken
Identify the root problem before jumping to solutions, especially in moments of tension or resistance
Lead change with confidence, even when outcomes are not yet fully defined
This episode is a powerful reminder that listening is not passive; it is one of the most strategic acts of leadership. When leaders slow down to listen well, they create clarity, alignment, and the conditions for others to move forward with confidence.
Whether you are leading a department, stepping into a new role, or navigating institutional change that requires influence across boundaries, this conversation offers practical insight and grounded wisdom for leading change that lasts.
🎧 Listen in and reflect:
How often do you pause to truly listen before you lead?
