Dr. Blake Faulkner

Nathaniel, I agree. Key performance indicators help ensure alignment and prioritization of initiatives with the organizations goals and also provide a means to determine if the planned initiatives had the desired impact. Doing a cross impact analysis during the planning process to take proposed initiatives and objectively rank their level of impact on key performance indicators is an important part of the planning process to ensure alignment and helps with prioritization. Data to inform the decision making process is also an important element in that it takes some of the subjectivity out of the process. That being said, there ultimately… >>>

German, You bring up a good point. Building a culture of creativity and innovation requires a daily focus on supporting this type of environment. At times when budgets are tight and people are required to do more with less it becomes even more important to have a createive and innovative culture that makes the necessary changes to ensure continued institutional effectiveness and improvement. This is a difficult task. However, engaging employees in the process and empowering them to be creative and innovate in adapting to necessary changes is essential. People generally like to be involved in creating solutions to address… >>>

German, Very good point. There are many difficult decisions confronting leaders and as Abraham Lincoln was often quoted as saying "the choices I have in making a decision are neither wholly good or wholly bad." In essence, our job as leaders is to make the best decision possible for all stakeholders involved." Having a clear ethical and values based foundation helps guide leaders in consistently making the best decision for all stakeholders, preserves personal integrity as well as organizational integrity. If the spirit of intent is always in the right place most people can respect the final decision that a… >>>

THERESA, Very insightful thoughts. I particularly like your thoughts in regards to listening and observing those in other industries. I have noticed many parallels between the significant changes healthcare has been faced with that those of us in higher ed. can learn a great deal from as we face similar disruptive change. Also, agree with your point that change is occuring at an accelerated pace and thus strategy is much more dynamic and fluid then it has been in the past. Those that can adapt to change and make necessary corrections and changes are highly valued. However,in studying those organizations… >>>