Episode 22

What if your academic background could become your greatest leadership strength?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dr. Michelle Loyet—known as the “Shenanigans Wrangler” in the book MACRO Leadership—joins Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith to share how anthropology became her leadership superpower. As interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Webster University, Michelle has spent nearly two decades helping the institution innovate, adapt, and serve learners around the globe.

In this episode, Michelle reveals how anthropology’s tools—cultural observation, data analysis, and adaptability—translate into practical leadership skills. She also takes us inside the launch of Agile sprints at Webster University, where quick wins, visible progress, and language shifts helped overcome skepticism and accelerate change.

- How anthropology prepares leaders to understand and adapt to organizational culture
- Why data analysis and meaning-making are vital leadership skills
- The story of Webster University’s first Agile sprints and their impact on student success
- How quick wins and visible accountability built momentum for change
- The role of language in shaping culture ('impediments,' 'how might we,' and no 'devil’s advocate')

00:00 – Welcome and introductions
02:00 – Michelle’s journey from anthropology to administration
06:00 – Anthropology as a corporate superpower
10:00 – Launching Agile sprints at Webster University
15:00 – The power of quick wins and visible accountability
20:00 – Overcoming naysayers and skeptics
30:00 – Building coalitions across academics and IT
35:00 – Visualizing progress with sprint boards
45:00 – Language shifts that changed the culture
48:00 – Outro & reflection question

How might you apply your own disciplinary superpowers—whether anthropology, linguistics, biology, or statistics—to your leadership practice this week?

📖 MACRO Leadership book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IAp2VG
📘 Free MACRO Leadership Workbook: https://engagedbydesign.com

Episode 21

Competency-Based Learning and the Future of Work — with Dr. Calli Morrison (Part 3 of 3)

In the final part of our three-part series, Dr. Cali Morrison dives into the world of competency-based education (CBE), micro-credentials, and the future of learning and work. She shares how she helped build direct assessment CBE programs at American Public University System, explains the value of micro-credentials and NanoCerts, and discusses how digital badges give learners visibility and ownership of their skills.

Calli also reflects on her current work at EdAssist, where she helps healthcare organizations build career pathways that grow talent from within. Along the way, she offers leadership lessons for innovators—especially women—about embracing failure, taking risks, and engaging learners through authentic assessment.

This episode highlights how education and workforce development are converging, and how innovation can serve real learners.

• How Calli became involved in competency-based education (CBE)
• The difference between direct assessment and credit-hour CBE models
• Why micro-credentials and NanoCerts give learners valuable milestones
• How digital badges empower learners to own and share their achievements
• Calli’s current work with EdAssist building healthcare career pathways
• Leadership lessons on innovation, risk, and supporting women leaders
• Why authentic assessment and co-learning engage more learners effectively

How can you build in authentic assessment to make learning more visible and relevant?

• Learn more about Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com
• Explore coaching services: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/store
• Free 10-Lesson MACRO Leadership Course: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/macroleadershipbook
• Get the book: MACRO Leadership on Amazon: https://amzn.to/476zHRP

The technology we used

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb

Episode 20

In this second part of our three-part series, Dr. Cali Morrison takes us inside two major projects that shaped the future of higher education: Transparency by Design and the Predictive Analytics Reporting (PAR) Framework. These efforts paved the way for program-level transparency, skills-based hiring, and data-driven student success strategies.

Calli shares how Transparency by Design helped adult learners make informed decisions by comparing program-level outcomes, and how the PAR Framework demonstrated the power of shared data to predict student persistence and drive interventions. Along the way, she tells the unforgettable story of her daughter Bryce—the 'PAR baby'—born on the very day a Gates Foundation grant proposal was due.

This conversation highlights the importance of transparency, collaboration, and the human side of innovation in education.

• The origins and goals of Transparency by Design
• Why program-level data is vital for adult learners making college choices
• How accreditors and even the Department of Defense adopted metrics from the initiative
• The creation and impact of the Predictive Analytics Reporting (PAR) Framework
• The unforgettable story of the 'PAR baby' and the human side of innovation

How could your team use data not just to measure, but to intervene early and change student outcomes?

• Learn more about Engaged By Design: https://engagedbydesign.com
• Get the book: MACRO Leadership on Amazon: https://amzn.to/476zHRP
• Free 10-Lesson MACRO Leadership Course: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/macroleadershipbook

The technology we used

• Shure MV7+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/4obxnPC

• Shure MV7i Microphone with Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/3GX0Jkb