Six Steps to Transform an Ordinary College into an Exceptional Institution
23 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2016
Date Written: February 9, 2016
Abstract
Universities and colleges that will thrive in the highly competitive knowledge/creative economy will need to make major changes to how their institutions work. Most college administrators have their heads in the sand – very reminiscent of what was going on in the newspaper industry several years ago – and believe that their mantra should be business as usual. This paper describes some of the changes that are required: eliminating silos, creating a learning organization, eliminating administrative bloat, ensuring transparency and accountability, and stressing skills. This will require leaders that are not concerned with self-aggrandizement and whose major concern is their own income, adulation, and power. What is needed are servant leaders with humility who care about students, faculty, and their institutions. College presidents who implement the above will be able to build successful, thriving institutions and will not have to spend much. In fact, they may be able to save money and enhance the reputation of their institutions.
Keywords: Higher education, academic leadership, silos, RCM, creativity, learning organization, administrative bloat, skills, Level 5 leaders, lean thinking, narcissistic leaders, servant leaders
JEL Classification: C00, C10, C40, I20, L15, L21, L82, L86, M31, M37, O3
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation