4. How Great Leaders Make Better Decisions | Judgment, Trust & Leadership with Katie Yeutter

How do great leaders make better decisions when there isn't a perfect answer?In this episode of Human in the Room, Betsy Gardner sits down with Katie Yeutter, Managing Director of the Rick Goings Institute for Leadership Excellence at Rollins College, to explore leadership decision-making, judgment, trust, resilience, and the human skills leaders need to thrive in today's rapidly changing workplace.The Rick Goings Institute was established through the generosity of former Tupperware CEO Rick Goings to prepare principled leaders who can navigate complexity with confidence, character, and sound judgment. Before joining Rollins College, Katie was the COO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, where she advanced statewide leadership initiatives and worked alongside executives, business leaders, and policymakers to strengthen Florida's future workforce.Katie is also a seven-time Ironman finisher and English Channel swimmer. Her experience pushing through uncertainty, setbacks, and high-pressure environments has shaped the same leadership principles she now teaches to executives, organizations, and emerging leaders.In this conversation, you'll learn:How great leaders make difficult decisions with incomplete informationWhy judgment may be the most important leadership skillHow trust is built before results are visibleWhat resilience really looks like under pressureHow self-awareness and situational awareness improve leadershipKnowing when to persevere and when to change courseWhy traditional leadership training often falls shortHow the Rick Goings Institute is developing the next generation of leadersWhy human-centered leadership is becoming a competitive advantage in the age of AIWhether you're an executive, entrepreneur, HR leader, manager, business owner, or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical leadership insights you can apply immediately.Time Stamps:(00:00) Why Leadership Begins With Better Decisions(03:14) The Midwest Farm Girl Behind Katie Uter’s Drive(06:42) What the English Channel Teaches About Pressure(10:18) Building Trust Before the Vision Exists(13:42) How Leaders Earn a Seat at the Table(17:08) Why Trust in Yourself Changes Everything(20:35) The Leadership Skill of Judgment Under Pressure(24:06) Knowing When to Keep Going vs. When to Quit(27:41) Can Leadership Judgment Actually Be Taught?(31:04) Why Case Studies Aren’t Enough for Modern Leaders(34:12) How Great Leaders Create the Conditions for Others to Thrive(38:02) The One Leadership Rep Katie Uter Never SkipsConnect with Katie YeutterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieyeutter/ The Rick Goings InstituteWebsite: https://rgi.rollins.edu/Rollins College: https://www.rollins.edu/Stay in the RoomSubscribe to Human in the Room for more conversations about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, AI, and the human skills that still matter most.NewsletterJoin the Human in the Room newsletter:https://humanintheroom.myflodesk.com/subscribeWebsiteLearn more at humanintheroombook.comFollow Human in the RoomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanintheroom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-in-the-room/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HumanintheRoomPodcast Follow Betsy GardnerWebsite: betsygardner.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsygardner22/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebetsygardner/ Buy the BookGet Human in the Room by Betsy Gardner: https://bit.ly/4uADfVt Bring Human in the Room to Your OrganizationHuman in the Room helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and more effective teams through:Leadership development trainingKeynotes and speaking engagementsTeam workshops and assessmentsTopics include communication, trust, managing up, intergenerational workplaces, AI and human skills, and human-centered leadership.Bring Betsy Gardner to your organization by contacting [email protected] CreditsHosted by Betsy GardnerProduced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/