S2:E8 Caller ID with Robyn Fralick: “It’s What We Do, Not Who We Are”

What happens when the title gets bigger, the stakes get higher and more people begin judging you by the outcome? Michigan State head women’s basketball coach Robyn Fralick joins Davis Wells to talk about building a successful career without allowing the career to become your identity. Robyn shares the journey from Davidson to assistant coaching, a formative decade at Ashland University, rebuilding Bowling Green and eventually returning to her hometown area to lead Michigan State. Along the way, she explains why working for good people can be a career-changer, what Hall of Fame coach Sue Ramsey taught her about leadership, how different it is to run a program instead of simply coach, and why the people around a leader matter so much. They also explore the Bowling Green turnaround from last place to first, lessons from USA Basketball, the isolation that can accompany leadership, life with her husband Tim and their family, coaching as a calling, faith, competition, patience and the difficult work of separating outcomes from identity. Robyn puts the heart of the conversation simply: “It’s what we do. It’s not who we are.” Plus, Larry David vs. Ted Lasso, Caller ID word association, and a terrific answer about what 18-year-old Robyn might tell her today. Support the show (http://paypal.me/brandonwells1348) Thanks for listening to Caller ID. You can follow Caller ID wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you’re enjoying the show, a quick rating or review helps more people find it. New episodes drop weekly, featuring conversations with people across disciplines who are thoughtful about their work and honest about the cost of doing it well. I’m Brandon Davis Wells and thanks for answering the call.