Chasing Passion Over Profession
Every successful organization or institution is a result of its ability to positively affect other peoples’ lives through its products and services. The physical work is not as important as the fulfillment we receive as a result of our efforts. We invest our time and energy because we believe that our impact reaches beyond day-to-day operations.
Jumping to Conclusions
Trusting other people is always a risk, but it is the only way to allow people to surprise you and exceed your expectations. Allow people the opportunity to always prove you wrong.
Treading on Dreams
Each student is unique. They have individual talents, interests, and drive. While they may discover along the way that being a paleontologist is not their lifelong calling, as they believed it to be in third grade, they may discover something even greater. As adults we should be paving pathways for opportunities not building roadblocks to their success.
PB & J Simplicity
We may not realize it, but most of the products we use on a daily basis appeal to us because of their simplicity. We look to make our lives easier not more complicated. Higher education is facing challenges today, but if you strip away the politics, traditions, and bureaucracies, what is needed is simplicity.
Abandoning the Details
Successful leaders do not just rely on their leadership abilities, luck, or timing. They make time to focus on the intimate details of the organization so they can plan for the future. They seek out opportunities to understand the details and create a culture of accountability so that improvements, innovation, and creativity continue to move the organization forward.
Institutional Sustainability: A Balancing Act
The driving force behind processes and procedures should not be grounded solely in state licensing or accreditation requirements. Institutions need to understand their mission and vision in order to develop the policies and procedures that best support their mission and meet the needs of their student populations.