Dr. Benjamin Rifkin: Leading with Listening in a Changing Higher Ed Landscape

Dr. Benjamin Rifkin: Leading with Listening in a Changing Higher Ed Landscape

In a time when colleges are closing and careers are constantly evolving, this conversation dives into what leadership in higher education must become: deeply human, radically student-centered, and courageously adaptive. Discover how aligning passion, purpose, and curriculum can transform both institutions and individual lives. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Benjamin Rifkin discuss: * Leadership as listening and human connection * Nonlinear career paths and finding your true vocation * Helping students choose majors and careers they love * Redesigning higher education for future relevance * Building trust, dignity, and respect across all roles Key Takeaways: * Leadership begins with deep listening and helping people align their strengths and passions with organizational goals, so they see themselves as meaningful contributors. * Career paths are rarely linear; experimenting, changing direction, and abandoning ill-fitting plans can lead to more authentic and fulfilling work. * Outside a few regulated professions, the choice of major matters less than developing transferable skills, experiences, and the ability to learn and act professionally. * Higher education must pivot from legacy structures built for a growing student population to curricula that explicitly prepare students for meaningful, adaptable careers. * Treating every person, from faculty to custodians, with dignity, trust, and recognition not only builds loyalty and performance, but it also models the very leadership we claim to teach. "Lead from where you are and recognize that everyone, everyone around you, is a human being worthy of respect, dignity, who makes a contribution to your organization." - Dr. Benjamin Rifkin About Dr. Benjamin Rifkin: Benjamin Rifkin earned his bachelor’s and first master’s degrees in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University before working in Moscow as a translator and interpreter. He later earned a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Michigan and received an honorary doctorate from Middlebury College for his contributions to language education and intercultural understanding. A professor of Russian, Rifkin has held faculty and leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Temple University, The College of New Jersey, Ithaca College, Hofstra University, and now serves as University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His research focuses on language proficiency, compassion in education, and student success. He has authored textbooks, published numerous scholarly works, and is a recognized leader in world language education, earning multiple awards for his teaching, research, service, and leadership, including the 2020 Wilga Rivers Award from ACTFL. Connect with Dr. Benjamin Rifkin: Website: https://www.fdu.edu/profiles/benjamin-rifkin/ [https://www.fdu.edu/profiles/benjamin-rifkin/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-rifkin-phd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-rifkin-phd/]  Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com [https://drkdneal.com]  Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS [https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS]  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS [https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS] Email: coachkd63@gmail.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63]

Dr. Loretta Ovueraye: Redefining Student Success Beyond the Metrics

A department chair who never planned on academic leadership becomes a VP, shaping how an entire college defines success, belonging, and legacy. In this conversation, she opens up about leading with empathy, elevating students beyond the metrics, and why curiosity and kindness might be a leader’s greatest tools. In this episode, Kevin and Dr. Loretta Ovueraye discuss: * Defining moments in an academic leadership journey * Developing leaders without fear or hierarchy * Rethinking student success beyond traditional metrics * Inclusion, belonging, and institutional culture * Legacy, curiosity, and STEM storytelling for children Key Takeaways: * Leadership grounded in empathy, kindness, and curiosity can transform systems without sacrificing humanity. * Developing leaders often starts with dismantling the myth that authority requires volume, control, or performance. * Student success is not only about grades and degrees; resilience, persistence, and experiential learning are equally powerful wins. * A culture of belonging is built by design—through structures, spaces, and practices that help everyone “find their people.” * Legacy can be lived out in simple, creative ways, like stories that fuel children’s curiosity and show them they can innovate inside real-world constraints. "You can still engage and promote action while being human." - Dr. Loretta Ovueraye About Dr. Loretta Ovueraye: Dr. Loretta Ovueraye has been vice president of Academic Affairs at Seminole State College of Florida since 2023. Dr. Ovueraye has over 20 years of experience serving in the Florida College System (FCS) as a faculty member, department chairperson, program director, dean of faculty, and more. Before joining Seminole State in June 2023, she served as vice provost of workforce programs and professional learning at Miami Dade College. Her personal educational journey has taken her around the world, from earning her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Edo State University in Nigeria to earning a master’s degree in environmental science from Imperial College, University of London, and her Ed.D. in higher education administration from Northeastern University. As vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Ovueraye is responsible for the delivery of academic programs, courses, and services. Seminole State offers over 200 degrees, certificates, and programs, including 11 bachelor’s degrees. Connect with Dr. Loretta Ovueraye: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-ovueraye-a3404541/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-ovueraye-a3404541/]  Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com [https://drkdneal.com]  Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS [https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS]  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS [https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS] Email: coachkd63@gmail.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63]

Phillip Bogolub: Why Tenacity and Authenticity Outperform Raw Talent

In a world obsessed with talent and polished résumés, this conversation dives into why tenacity and authenticity are what actually move lives, teams, and organizations forward. Discover how leaders who are real, resilient, and people-focused go farther than those who rely on ability alone. In this episode, Kevin and Phillip Bogolub discuss: * Talent vs. tenacity in real-world success * Ability as competence and practiced skill * Authenticity and trust in leadership and communication * Navigating layoffs, honesty, and difficult conversations * Integrating the four pillars: talent, tenacity, ability, and authenticity Key Takeaways: * Tenacity often takes people farther than raw talent, because consistent effort shows up every day, whereas talent may only show up once. * Ability is less about having a gift and more about how competently that gift is developed, practiced, and used to create real impact. * Authentic leaders build trust by showing up human, honest, and consistent—people follow those they believe are genuinely for them. * The real power is not in choosing between talent, tenacity, ability, and authenticity, but in understanding how they work together and when each needs to lead. * You can train skills and sharpen abilities, but without tenacity and authenticity, even the most gifted person will struggle to sustain influence or success. "You don't want to do something just because it's an ability. You want to do it because it's making a difference, and you know you could feel it, and you can see it." - Phillip Bogolub About Phillip Bogolub: Today’s co-host is a creative visionary — a film producer and founder of Light Pipe Media LLC, and the mind behind the philosophy of ‘AJANOI.’ He blends art, music, and deep reflection to challenge how we see ourselves and the world around us. He’s my friend and a friend of the show. Connect with Phillip Bogolub: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bogolubrecords [http://linkedin.com/in/bogolubrecords]    Website: https://www.lightpipe.media/ [https://www.lightpipe.media/]  Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com [https://drkdneal.com]  Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS [https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS]  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS [https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS] Email: coachkd63@gmail.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63]

Sean Patton: Transformational Leadership Beyond Titles and Tactics

A former US Army Special Forces commander unpacks why character, clarity, and real connection—not titles—separate average managers from transformational leaders. This conversation dives into self-leadership, hard feedback, and what it really takes to build high-trust, high-performance teams in a changing world. In this episode, Kevin and Sean Patton discuss: * Superpower of listening and aligning personal and organizational vision * Leadership lessons from West Point and Army Special Forces * Failing in business, self-work, and reinventing as an executive coach * Moving from solopreneurship to a feedback-rich team culture * Character, clarity, connection, and the future of leadership at work KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Leadership is fundamentally about who you become—your character and integrity—rather than any title, rank, or role you hold. * People rarely resist change as much as they resist ambiguity; clear communication and expectations are core responsibilities of a leader. * High-performing organizations stagnate when leaders avoid hard feedback and rely on vague directives that let everyone off the hook. * Deep, non-transactional relationships at work unlock engagement, retention, and performance in ways metrics alone never can. * In a rapidly changing landscape, everyone must think more like a leader and entrepreneur, continually asking, “What am I capable of—and what are we capable of together?” "If you're the type of person who's going to show up to an organization, and you say, okay, tell me what I need to do, and then expect someone to say, here's your steps one through 15, go do them, you're gonna be out of a job in five years." - Sean Patton About Sean Patton: Sean Patton is a former U.S. Army Special Forces Commander, Executive Coach with Novus Global, and sought-after leadership speaker and trainer. He is the author of A Warrior’s Mindset and the host of the No Limit Leadership podcast. Sean empowers leaders and teams to move beyond high performance to create transformational results. Connect with Sean Patton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpattonpresents/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpattonpresents/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZDjyqEs9_q6wt3BRhKdZUg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZDjyqEs9_q6wt3BRhKdZUg]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seanpattonspeaks/ [https://www.facebook.com/seanpattonspeaks/]  Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com [https://drkdneal.com]  Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS [https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS]  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS [https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS] Email: coachkd63@gmail.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63]

Maximos Lih: Emboldening Your Voice in Rooms That Make You Small

Stepping into your true voice often requires letting old versions of yourself die. In this episode, leadership coach Maximos Lih unpacks how identity, culture, and courage intersect so leaders can stop playing small in rooms where they were meant to lead. In this episode, Kevin and Maximos Lih discuss: * Navigating multiple identities and cultures as a leader * Transitions as “resurrection moments” in career and life * Disengagement, anxiety, and the real cost of poor leadership * Building influence, allies, and psychological safety in the room * Creating culture through self-awareness, conflict, and curiosity Key Takeaways: * Leadership grounded in self-awareness frees people from self-consciousness, making it possible to truly serve others instead of performing for approval. * Major transitions demand an identity shift; clinging to who you used to be can block you from stepping into your next level of purpose and impact. * Disengagement is one of the most expensive costs in any organization, often fueled by anxious leaders who never address their own fears, biases, or blind spots. * Influence scales through people, not performance; building allies and relationships before the meeting creates the safety to speak boldly in the room. * Culture always takes its cues from leadership—what leaders actually model and resource will shape whether conflict sharpens people or quietly burns everything down. "If you find yourself being the only person in the room, and it's a challenge to be bold, find a way to recruit one other person to be on your team, and it's your team that will actually generate the success." - Maximos Lih About Maximos Lih: Maximos Lih is an Executive Coach and founder of Emboldened LLC, where he helps small teams scale without losing their edge, and leaders grow with purpose and trust. His leadership philosophy was shaped by his grandfather—a self-taught orphan who became a four-star general—who taught him that true greatness is measured by how you make people feel. After immigrating to the U.S. and graduating from UC Berkeley, Maximos joined Google, where he specialized in recruiting top engineering talent before moving to Google Ventures. There, he guided hundreds of founders through rapid growth, witnessing companies like Uber and Flatiron Health scale at remarkable speed. Today, he draws on those experiences to coach the next generation of leaders in building mission-driven, high-performing teams. Connect with Maximos Lih: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maximoslih [http://linkedin.com/in/maximoslih]  Connect with Kevin Neal: Website: https://drkdneal.com [https://drkdneal.com]  Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS [https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS]  https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS [https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS] Email: coachkd63@gmail.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63]