Randy Brown has spent over a decade as an executive career mentor at Butler University’s Lacey School of Business, walking alongside students through the full arc from self-discovery to career launch. Before that, he spent 12 years in human resources at Anthem, navigating 10 acquisitions and learning firsthand what it takes to lead people through constant change. In this conversation with Katherine, Randy shares the leadership philosophy that has guided him through both worlds: get to know the whole person, lead with curiosity before judgment, and take the time to truly connect. He reflects on why today’s generation of students is more resilient and capable than they often get credit for, how a CEO who recorded his messages nine times taught him the value of tone, and why communicating about how you’re going to communicate is the most overlooked first step in any major change.

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Key Takeaways:

• You can’t help someone grow until you’ve earned their trust and taken the time to know them as a whole person.
• Curiosity before judgment helps leaders pause, reconsider assumptions, and reach better answers.
• The best communicators think not just about what they’re saying but about how it will sound to the listener.
• In times of major change, the first thing people need to hear is how and when you’ll answer their unanswered questions.
• Today’s generation responds powerfully to caring, and leaders who show genuine interest get that care right back.