On this episode, we鈥檙e joined by Janet Cone.
Janet R. Cone has served as Director of Athletics at UNC-Asheville since 2004, making her the longest-tenured athletic director in the Big South Conference. During her leadership, she has helped grow UNC-Asheville into a highly respected Division I mid-major program, guided the department through major challenges, including Hurricane Helene, and served in numerous NCAA and national leadership roles. A two-time NACDA Athletic Director of the Year, Janet is known for building strong teams, developing student-athletes, and leading with vision through seasons of growth and change.
Key Takeaways
- Hire and operationalize core values: Culture cannot just sit on a wall; it must drive behavior. Janet Cone emphasizes hiring for core values before skill sets, using behavior-based scenario questions during interviews, incorporating values into quarterly check-ins, and celebrating staff with peer-nominated awards like the Bulldog Integrity Award.
- Prioritize legacy over championships: While winning matters in college athletics, Cone highlights that a leader’s true purpose is building a lasting legacy. True leadership is about serving people, developing student-athletes, and making a daily difference in their lives rather than focusing solely on titles or career advancement.
- Leadership and culture are forms of discipleship: Demonstrating and instilling values like integrity, respect, and servant leadership serves as a practical form of faith in action. Leading with consistent character, treating everyone with equal dignity, and constantly communicating department values opens doors to deeper connections and models Christ-centered principles in public spaces.
Christian Business Leader is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God鈥檚 will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world, this show is for you. 聽