I love this idiom from Miguel de Cervantes’ novel, Don Quixote. Every time I see it, my feelings for it are rekindled. So much so…
Mediocrity – Why Are So Many Universities Drawn To It?
We deserve better. I hear myself saying these words too often, speaking on behalf of my institution, in sundry situations. And not just in my…
The ‘Third Thing’ – Why It Hurts The Academy
‘When you’ve done well and another has benefited by it, why like a fool do you look for a third thing on top—credit for the…
Unique Value Proposition – Why Universities Struggle to Define Themselves
What makes an organization distinct? What makes it unique? With specific relation to the university, what’s the value proposition that distinguishes it in a crowded…
Taking Personal Responsibility – An Academic Problem
Here’s a thought: own your actions. Take personal responsibility for what you say, how you behave, and what you do. I’d like to think that…
The Devil’s in the Details: The Usefulness (or otherwise) of University Strategic Plans
I once heard it stated that a strategic plan without implementation is hallucination. I tend to agree. I’m not arguing against organizational strategy. I think…