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At this time of the year college presidents and business leaders offer words of encouragement to graduates, many of whom will be entering the real world for the first time.
Glassner and Schapiro suggest that much of this advice is as applicable to those same college and business leaders.
They suggest some hints as to what leads to success in a leadership position.
Think first and talk later
Don’t ever think that you are talking ‘off the record.’ Everything you say will be taken literally, especially in the early days while people are still getting to know you. Think how many people are haunted today by some unintended comment they made decades ago.
Talk less and listen more
This applies especially to people who are new to an organization. People will want to know about your vision. Understand though that no one can expect you to espouse a comprehensive plan before you know the ins and outs of the organization.
Show up
Everyone wants you to be there – not for you to send one of your ‘people.’ Whatever small thing you can do by showing you are part of the team, you will often be appreciated more for your physical presence than anything else.
Engage veteran employees
You want the long timers on your side, so engage with them. Take them to lunch, chat with them – hear from those people who have dedicated their lives to the organization.
Don’t ignore the staff
At the rockface of most companies are the employees. In academia this includes all levels, not only the professors, as they all interact with the students and they are the ones whom the students know.
Customers want to be consulted
This is how customer councils started. Customers and students insist on being taken seriously. You find out their opinions by talking with them. Then you can make decisions and they need to know that you have considered their suggestions and opinions.
Answer nearly all messages
People want to know that they have been heard and a personalized reply, as short as it might be, sends that message loud and clear.
And why not all, you might ask. Those that are abusive or appear dangerous, do not warrant a personal response.
Use the board of trustees or directors
The board can be your ally, if you respect their efforts for the organization. They should never be kept in the dark.
Glassner and Schapiro suggest that college presidents often struggle with
their boards because they rarely had to accept authority as faculty members. They suggest that if anyone does not understand and appreciate that the board is the boss, they should keep their resumes current.
Community relations do matter
People should remember that they are privileged to be located wherever they are and that the location is fortunate to have the organization. Keep positive relationships intact because this way, efforts you expend for the location will be appreciated and are so much better than bad relations that can negatively affect programming, building plans and many other aspects.
Do not take things personally
Bad things are likely to happen, and you’ll be the first port of call for the blame. It’s hard to believe how many people from faculty to staff to students and customers, employees and suppliers can exercise bad judgement, jeopardizing themselves and your organization. Many of these attacks have more to with the attacker than with you. Don’t beat yourself up about them and know that tomorrow the sun will still rise.
Don’t believe the hype
Also, things are not always so good either. Talking about your own successes, and those of the organization, can set you up for a fall. Remember, your goal should be long term progress, which the goal of short-term achievements can sometimes derail.
Don’t neglect your health
People will constantly want to wine and dine you and you will have your obligations to entertain others. If you eat everything that is put in front of you, you’ll quickly understand the ‘freshman 15’. Make sure to reserve time to smell the roses. If jogging is your thing, reserve time for it. If philanthropy is what does it for you, calendar time for it.
And when you wonder how you can find time for such activities, remember to act like a president, and take control of your schedule.
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