Five Simple Ideas that Make an Impact

Hiring, retention, and leadership tips for getting through less-than-stellar enrollment results - plus some thoughts about Thriving in a Time of Pluralistic Contention

IDEA ONE

Hiring - Think deeply about what your school is REALLY looking for in a new hire.

Take the time to really figure out the qualifications and past experiences you’re looking for when filling a position. What is your school trying to achieve at the strategic level? What does that particular department or area of the school need to move it forward? We all know that individuals make a difference. Think that through at the very beginning of a hiring process.

Do you need fresh energy? Deep knowledge? A new perspective? Political savvy? Moral authority? Independence? A consensus builder? An introvert with a low key approach? An extrovert who will be the loudest cheerleader anywhere and everywhere? Someone who’s been at a school just like yours? Someone who’s been in a school very different than yours - and different, how?

Don’t just dig up the old job description, change a few superfluous things and away you go.

When you really know what you need, it will inform all the other steps. It won’t magically make the pool richer or have the process move faster, but really zeroing in on what you want will provide more focus in sourcing candidates and ideally lead to the best outcome.

IDEA TWO

Hiring - Check references thoughtfully. Create questions that align with strategic goals.

I’ve said it before, the best reference question I ever received was, Describe ways this candidate will help create and support a faculty culture that puts the student experience at the center. That is a thoughtful question and it pushes towards a specific response that will be helpful in identifying the person who will be the best fit for the role you’re looking to fill.