From the Lab to the Locker Room: Leadership Insights with Chuck Saia

This spring, Quinnipiac University students had the opportunity to learn directly from author, alumnus, and leadership advocate Chuck Saia during two dynamic sessions that brought the ideas in his book You Got This, Kid! Words of Advice for Young Leaders to life. From the science classroom to the athletic field, students explored how to find their authentic voice, develop resilience, and lead with purpose.

Leadership and Mission with Dr. Courtney McGinnis’ Class

Dr. Courtney McGinnis’ students, preparing for a sustainability-focused trip to Portugal, gathered with Chuck to reflect on leadership through the lens of You Got This, Kid! Together during a two-part session, they unpacked themes like self-awareness, personal mission, and finding the courage to stand up for your values—using the book’s unique animal metaphors to guide their thinking.

Chuck encouraged students to embrace their individual leadership style, sharing his own journey from corporate executive to author and foundation co-founder. Students opened up about their own goals and missions—ranging from fighting climate change and conducting infectious disease research to ensuring their work makes a real-world impact.

Key takeaways included:

Authenticity attracts others—lead with your “special sauce” and people will gravitate to you.
Leadership evolves—your mission will change over time, and that’s okay.
Collect mentors—mentorship is essential, and it’s always okay to ask.

The discussion was empowering, touching on everything from how to handle “scorpions” in the workplace to how to recognize when you're ready to grow beyond your current role. For students preparing to travel and lead in global contexts, it was a timely and meaningful conversation.

Inspiring Quinnipiac’s Student-Athlete Leaders

On April 30th, Chuck met with a group of Quinnipiac student-athletes for a session centered on leadership through adversity, teamwork, and personal growth. Drawing on stories from his life—including a harrowing 9/11 experience and career turning points—Chuck challenged students to think beyond their sport and consider how their athletic skills could carry into leadership roles in life and career.

Athletes engaged in discussion around key animal metaphors from the book:

The Mandarin Duck encouraged them to recognize and embrace what makes them unique.
The Armadillo symbolized the importance of building thick skin and resilience in the face of criticism or failure.
The Eagle emphasized the value of mentorship.
The Dolphin highlighted the role of teamwork and loyalty.

Students reflected on their own sources of strength—family, coaches, teammates—and shared stories of bouncing back from setbacks and growing into their leadership identities. Chuck reminded them that leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about knowing who you are, standing for something, and lifting others along the way.

“If people no longer appreciate your special sauce, it’s time to find a new pond.”

Elevating the Next Generation

Through these sessions, Chuck Saia continues his mission to help students discover and develop the leadership traits that will serve them long after graduation. Whether it’s a future scientist preparing for global research or an athlete transitioning into the workforce, the message is clear: leadership is personal, it’s evolving—and it’s yours to claim.