Leading With Joy During Higher-Ed's Tough Seasons | Donald Egle, Ph.D.

What does it mean to lead with joy when the circumstances around you are anything but joyful? In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader, Chris Rapozo sits down with Donald Egle, Ph.D., Founder & Managing Director of The Kyer Group, to explore the research behind joyful leadership and what it means for leaders navigating uncertainty, pressure, and change in higher education. Drawing from his doctoral research, Joyful Leadership Amidst Tragedy and Triumph, Don explains why joy and happiness are fundamentally different. Happiness often depends on circumstances. Joy can become a consistent way of living and leading, even when the work is difficult. Chris and Don discuss what joyful leadership looks like when enrollment pressures are mounting, teams are stretched, and institutions are facing decisions without easy answers. In this episode, you'll hear about: - Why leadership can be viewed as a privilege and a joy - The difference between joy and happiness - Why choosing joy before adversity hits matters - How higher ed leaders can respond to the enrollment cliff with - The role faith has played in Don's approach to joyful leadership One of Don's central challenges to higher education leaders is to recognize the privilege of being in a position where you can contribute to the solution. Hard seasons will come. Your choices will be tested. But leaders who consistently show up with purpose, courage, authenticity, and joy can give their teams and institutions a better chance to thrive. About Donald Egle, Ph.D. Donald Egle is the Founder & Managing Director of The Kyer Group. After more than two decades working with leaders and nationally recognized universities, Don now helps leaders and organizations create the conditions to win by addressing gaps between vision, strategy, execution, and culture. Connect with Don and learn more about The Kyer Group through the links in the episode description. https://thekyergroup.com/