How To Change An Old Dog
How do I change our most seasoned faculty member (10 years at the institution) to explore other methods of teaching, participating, leading, ANYTHING?
Hi Erin,
I find that "old dogs" stick to what they know and what has worked for them. They tend to be very uncomfortable with change. It tends to be more about the lack of knowledge than it does anything else. So, perhaps put the ball in their court. Say that you are trying to come up with different ways to improve the curriulum/teaching methodologies of the faculty, etc. If you appraoch it from a standpoint where you are looking to them as "Seasoned Experts", they may not be so defensive and against chnage. Most people buy into change a bit more if they have something to do with it. So, you can start by saying something like, "Hey Kathy, we have been looking into some more professional development opportunities for all of our faculty members. Since you have been here for a while and may have a better grip on what we are missing, I woudl like you to help me come up with some different ideas."
Just a thought! Good luck
Changing the seemingly unchangeable is very difficult. In my previous life I was in manufacturing. I managed a maintenance team. One of our members was "old school". He kept up with code requirements, but new techniques and skills were rejected. We talked daily about the need to embrace the new, and to not be afraid of change. Once I got him to perform just one task using a recommended new technique, he was good to go. Not only did it work, but it made his job easier.
