Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Rob Kollin on Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Developing Future Public Health Leaders

Date: January 24, 2026
Guest: Professor Robert Collin, Lecturer, Kent State University College of Public Health
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

This episode features Professor Robert Collin, a lecturer at Kent State University’s College of Public Health and a seasoned industry professional, discussing the evolving nature of leadership in healthcare, the growing importance of emotional intelligence, and how future public health leaders are being prepared for success. Professor Collin draws upon his experiences in both the corporate world and academia to share practical, actionable advice targeted at both emerging and established leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Professor Collin (00:34–03:41)

• Background:
  • Active on LinkedIn and an advocate for real-world application in education
  • Extensive industry experience: 7+ years in health insurance, 15 years in telecommunications
  • Current role: Lecturer at Kent State’s College of Public Health, focusing on leadership courses
  • Personal: Husband, father, cycling adventure advocate
• Mission:
  • Preparing public health leaders and other professionals to solve real challenges through community collaboration and impactful research
  • Focused on bringing practical, lived experience into the academic environment

2. Advice for Emerging Leaders (04:13–07:29)

• Three Core Insights:
  • Pay Attention:
    • Leadership requires attentiveness to people, systems, and self.
    • "Titles matter far less than empathy, being curious, and...courage to ask better questions." (C, 04:30)
    • Real leadership is less about control, more about enabling others.
  • Stay Connected to the Real World:
    • Blend theory with practical, lived experience.
    • Leaders must understand how decisions “land on the humans” – whether serving frontline teams or end users.
    • "Meaningful listening" is key—listen to understand, not just to respond.
  • Embrace Discomfort as Growth:
    • Being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” is vital—career pivots, leading in uncertainty, and embracing detours are opportunities for growth.
    • "These pinch points and this discomfort is an invitation, I think, to learn and grow." (C, 06:50)

3. Hallmarks of Effective Leadership (07:43–08:33)

• Authenticity:
  • The best leaders operate authentically rather than pretending to be someone else.
  • Students report their greatest leadership mistakes happen when they "fake it" instead of being true to themselves.
  • "When they're able to lead in an authentic manner to themselves is where they thrive..." (C, 08:18)

4. Being Liked vs. Respected as a Leader (09:15–11:02)

• Evolving Perspective:
  • Historically, being respected was considered more important than being liked.
  • Today, the balance is nuanced—emotional intelligence is increasingly crucial.
  • Shared insights from a Forbes article:
    • High emotional intelligence in leaders allows them to bring people together, not just command attention.
    • “Cultivating empathy for your employees and caring about them from their challenges motivates them.” (C, paraphrased, 10:02)
  • Collin’s take: Consistency and respect remain key, but emotional connection drives results.

5. Pitfalls and Ineffective Leadership Styles (11:22–12:43)

• Servant Leadership vs. Command and Control:
  • Command and control styles are the opposite of servant leadership.
  • Leaders declaring they are the “most liked” or “fairest” often employ controlling behaviors—these are red flags.
  • "It's easier to show someone versus tell from a leadership perspective." (C, 12:13, riffing on Rush song lyric)

6. Communication Styles in Leadership (13:30–16:49)

• Know Yourself and Your Team:
  • Effective leaders learn their team’s and their own communication preferences.
  • Collin shared a “pinch point” story: Miscommunication with a highly analytical team member was resolved by directly discussing communication needs and adjusting accordingly.
  • Key book reference: “True North” by Bill George
  • Public speaking: Comfort with audience size varies; leaders should be able to communicate both one-on-one and in larger forums.
  • "It doesn't mean you're the best public speaker or the most charismatic, but being able to be comfortable...is valuable." (C, 15:32)

7. Emotional Intelligence in Action (17:44–19:53)

• EI as a Safeguard against Burnout:
  • Helps leaders “read the room” and fosters collaboration.
  • Essential in healthcare to manage burnout by responding empathetically to fatigue and frustration.
  • "[Emotional intelligence] helps managers recognize the signs of fatigue, frustration and disengagement and respond to their team with empathy versus...command and control." (C, 18:12)

8. Trends and Parting Advice (19:53–20:07)

• Public Health Trends:
  • The Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree is increasingly in demand, appearing in more job requirements.
• Career Advice:
  • Financial tip from telecom days: As income grows, increase retirement savings early; "Saving for Tomorrow, Tomorrow" (TED talk) cited for the power of compound interest.
  • "If I was a young leader, I hope I would've heard that earlier in my career." (C, 19:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Leadership Philosophy:
  • "Real leadership is less about control and more about creating conditions for others to do their best work." (C, 04:37)
• On Authenticity:
  • "When they need to kind of fake it or act the way that they think they should act is when they have the missteps..." (C, 08:09)
• On Emotional Intelligence:
  • "Leaders with a high emotional intelligence tend to prevail. It's not because they command attention, but because it's their ability to bring people together." (C, referencing Forbes, 09:45)
• On Growth:
  • "Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations...is a signal or sign for growth versus a failure." (C, 06:38)
• On Servant Leadership:
  • "It's easier to show someone versus tell from a leadership perspective." (C, 12:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34: Professor Collin's introduction and background
• 04:13: Three essential pieces of advice for emerging leaders
• 07:43: What great leadership looks like: authenticity
• 09:15: Discussion: Better to be liked or respected as a leader?
• 11:22: Failure modes: Command and control vs. servant leadership
• 13:30: Importance of communication style and public speaking
• 17:44: The value of emotional intelligence for leaders and burnout prevention
• 19:53: Leadership trends in public health & lasting advice on career and financial well-being

Tone and Style

The conversation is practical, insightful, and accessible. Collin speaks as a coach and a mentor, weaving in personal anecdotes, research, and clear action points. The tone is encouraging and rooted in real-world experience, with a strong emphasis on continual growth, empathy, and authenticity.

This detailed summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode's themes, memorable quotes, and actionable insights—valuable for current and aspiring leaders in healthcare and beyond.