You Must Care About Others and Be Transparent: Interview with Dr. Julie Wollman, Former President of Widener University
Several years ago, I interviewed Dr. Julie Wollman in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Dr. Wollman was the President of Widener University at the time and is now the Associate Dean for Executive Programs at University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Here is an excerpt from our interview:
Adam: How did you get here? What failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Julie: I got to where I am through a combination of dedication, a desire to serve others, and a love of hard work.
I have learned and grown from every experience I’ve had. I believe in continuous improvement. I have learned that getting the right people on the team is most important—when you don’t have them, make a change to get them. When you do have them, make sure they know how much they are valued.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Julie: I think the courage to do what’s right and to make difficult decisions is a key defining quality. Of course that requires clarity about your personal values and appreciation of the values of your organization. Excellent communication skills, awareness of your various constituencies, and respect for their perspectives and needs are also very important. You must care about others and be transparent.
To take your leadership skills to the next level, you need to be a voracious learner, constantly refine your communication skills, and learn from every experience, good or bad.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Julie:
1) Love your work and live your work in order to be successful at it.
2) You have to take risks to succeed.
3) Never be afraid to admit a mistake and set a better course.
Adam: What are your hobbies and how have they shaped you?
Julie: I work out every day and that helps me stay fit both physically and mentally. I also love spending time with my dogs—they teach compassion and the joy of unconditional love.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Julie: Trust your gut. What you are sensing comes from real, though subtle, observations and signals. It’s simple, yet we are taught to trust everything else first. So, the hard part is following that advice!
Adam: What should everyone do to pay it forward?
Julie: Generously support institutions and causes you care about. Also, take time to mentor students and colleagues. Model the behavior and attitudes you want to see others learn.
Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one-on-one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal-winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.
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