Skills
“Thinking Makes It So”
Many, many, many years ago, or perhaps it was yesterday, I needed to take the GRE to be able to begin my doctoral studies. There were many good reasons I was putting it off. For one, I hadn’t taken a math course since high school. Yes, you read that right. I got through college without having…
Read MoreChange, Creativity, and Curiosity
Last week I wrote about change, asking ‘what can you change?’ Tuesday morning I did a keynote for the Division of Student Affairs at Texas State University. Their Vice President, Cynthia Hernandez, gave me the title, “Embracing Change and Enhancing Creativity” which she apparently got from my website. I decided I’d share a bit of that…
Read MoreWhat’s Your Capacity?
Supervising staff is one of the most challenging tasks we have, isn’t it? Is it that the staff member doesn’t understand the task? Is it that they are overwhelmed? Is it a matter of a mis-match in communication styles? Are they unable or unwilling? Sometimes though, it’s not about ability or willingness, it’s more of an issue of…
Read MorePatience and Persistence
As of Monday, I began weaning myself out of the boot and I posted that news on Facebook asking people who have had that experience to share ideas and lessons learned. I got several messages of good will and lots of good advice. There were some definite groupings – Take things slowly, listen to what…
Read MoreBetwixt and Between
The concept of liminality always intrigues me. The idea of being in a place ‘in between’. I’ve most often been aware of being in such a space in the course of my career. In one way or another it has become apparent that it is time to leave a current job. What I’m doing no longer…
Read MoreSprained Ankles and Complicated Semesters
The Attitude for Connection
*The quotes are all from the same article cited below. My thoughts about the application to the work of leadership are interspersed. Connection In dance, connection is the physical way in which two partners interact to create the shared experience of partner dancing. Think Johnny Castle in “Dirty Dancing” admonishing Baby about her ‘spaghetti arms.’…
Read MoreIt’s all in your mind-set
‘There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” Jiddu Kishnamurti This quote seems to epitomize the idea of the growth mindset…
Read MoreListening to Learn
“The servant leader seeks to identify the will of a group and helps to clarify that will. He or she listens receptively to what is being said and unsaid. Listening also encompasses hearing one’s own inner voice. Listening, coupled with periods of reflection, is essential to the growth and well-being of the servant leader.” Larry…
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