You are all students of Crandall University - you have had the benefit of years of experience with the institution (albeit in different contexts - part-time, full-time, degree competion, BA, BBA, etc.). Based upon your experiences, suggest a metaphor to describe your perception of the leadership culture at the University. What is the basis for your perception? What do you think of what others have suggested?
You might find page 494 and surrounding pages useful in making your determination. Also, if you need a refresher on what metaphors are, for fun check out this video [if the link doesn't work try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFgRj-5d5Ac ].
Finally, you might also have a look at this article from Administrative Science Quarterly - it's a bit dated, but I think the application of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale to illuminate organizational leadership practices is pretty cool!
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| Spin straw into gold, or fail Leadership!! (just kidding ;o) |
In keeping with the literature theme (Rumpelstiltskin), I will propose that a metaphor for the leadership at Crandall University can be found in Margaret Wise Brown’s lovely book, The Runaway Bunny. This book is the ultimate book of love and caring, but it has a much deeper meaning than that. The Runaway Bunny, represents the soul that each of us has; we can run away, but our soul will be found no matter where we go. Crandall has been like that for me. The leadership has been warm and caring; always interested in my growth and development – keeping an eye on my progress (keeping track of my soul).
ReplyDeleteAs a student, I have never experienced anything at the university except for genuine care and respect for students. When I speak to others about my time as a student at Crandall, I always mention the personal touch that has been extended to me and other students as we work towards completing our degrees. Mother rabbit is representative of the leadership at Crandall – those leaders that we see often (such as professors and program administrators), and those that work behind the scenes (the governance, the President, and support staff) building the university culture and ensuring that there is a place for our soul.
"Once there was a little bunny who wanted to run away. So he said to his mother, “I am running away.” “If you run away,” said his mother, “I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.”"
On a final note, I would like to thank Prof. Greg Maillet, who has enlightened me and made me appreciate literature on a deeper level…especially The Runaway Bunny!
I would have to say that a phrase that comes to mind for me is that I "feel like I am part of the family". This could be applied to the feeling that I have in regards to some of the relationships that I have been able to build at Crandall, referring to those who are part of my cohort. As far as the leadership culture at Crandall, that is a little more difficult to put my finger on. I think that there may be some underlying struggles between departments with some of them feeling as if they are superior and hold more importance than others but I do think that this is not something that is distinct to Crandall.
ReplyDeleteAt first I wasn’t grasping the whole concept of metaphors to describe leadership culture so I went on to search some articles to get various perceptions of what exactly they are. I found a paper, written by two people from Harvard, that seemed to make sense to me. There was a particular paragraph talking about gardening and leadership, which got me thinking about the leadership culture of our business faculty. I am probably one of the least creative people out there, but here is my best attempt. A flourishing garden is representative of the culture of the business faculty leadership.
ReplyDeleteI say this because us, as students, we represent the different seeds of a garden. We need tending to. We need water, sunlight, and a little luck to grow. The professors really strive to grow a flourishing garden of students. They tend to us by not only providing the basics like techniques and concepts, but they show genuine interest in us as learners and often shed some light on future opportunities that may be available. They also give us guidance and push us in the direction to ‘be all that we can be’- hence the flourishing part. They also support the paths we take, which could represent the different types of flowers within the garden.
I like to read what other people write, especially the Cohort students because I find they have a different experience at Crandall than I do. The comments are always so interesting. I agree with you Cathy when you said that you find there are some underlying struggles between departments. I can’t quite put a finger on a metaphor to describe the culture for the leadership other than the business faculty.. but I will keep thinking.
The paper I was reading is Through Their Own Words: Towards a New Understanding of Leadership Through Metaphors by Thomas Oberlechner and Viktor Mayor- Schoenberger. It is an interesting topic if anyone is curious!
I was thinking about a metaphor for the leadership culture of the ‘superior’ (I guess you could call them) leaders of Crandall. I think of the culture as a broken vase. I do believe that the Leadership at Crandall seems to be on the same page about promoting strong Christian values and ethical behavior, which is definitely an added value at our university, but I feel as though other aspects of the leadership front are a bit ‘broken.’
ReplyDeleteWhen I picture a broken vase, I picture a few pieces that can be easily glued or molded back together; not a shattered vase that is impossible to put back together. This leadership front so to speak can represent the vase. We know that all the pieces are supposed to fit together to form one object, but as of right now they don’t. Their morals, ethics, and values are all aligned, but topics related to school policy, course options, financial issues, and student involvement seem to be ambiguous. I do not find I can get a unanimous response about particular topics out of the leadership which leads me to believe that their leadership front has some holes in it. They do not seem to be on the same page or have the same perception about these topics. But like a broken vase, this can easily be fixed to depict a unanimous front. This idea is just based on personal experiences which translates into my perception of the culture.
The leadership at Crandall, or at least the organizational chart appears to be very unequal in distribution. Seth Crowell appears to have the Lion's share of responsibility. I would have to say that if I were in his shoes I would feel like a "little fish in a big pond". I can only imagine that the task of leadership must seem daunting to him in addition to all of the other expectations. As far as the leadership culture, I would almost venture to bet that there is not one. I don't see the university working in cohesion as a group that are pulled together by its leadership but this is again a hard call to make unless you are on the inside.
ReplyDeleteFrom a student standpoint I would say, a methaphor that best describes Crandall’s leadership would be "You want something done, you have to do it yourself".
ReplyDeleteIn regards to what Jackie said, I too have experience a great amount of love and care for the staff member and my fellow students. If any student has a problem they can easily take it up with their rep (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or Ed) and the rep will try their best to solve this problem. You could also take it up with the wonderful staff from the student development office. The student voice is strong at Crandall and student are encouraged to vote on issues and voice their opinions on issues with the school and the school tries its best to meet the demands of the student in some situations. Early this year the student association had event called "whats your beef?" where student shared their opinions on what bother them about Crandall and it was not only great to see key staff members present but they also recorded it. One example of the student voice working for students is the new and improved weight room. the student athletes wanted a bigger gym and in the long run, the weight room was moved to a bigger location. Then,there was a need for more weights and that wish was granted along with new equipment. This all came after students wrote articles in school newspaper and a detail action plan highlighting the important of physical wellness for athletes to compete as well as everyday students.
I would also use the metaphor from the famous sister sledge song "We Are Family!" to describe the leadership at Crandall. It’s not at every university that you would see the president of the university sitting at a table with students and enjoying the lunch hour. This goes for practically all the staff members at the school. The staff here at Crandall are very friendly and that is just one of the many benefits of a small university. Staff member work together and help each other out when it is needed. The professors display genuine care for there student and you can feel their passion in the class room to education and build relationships with their students.
If I had to come up with a metaphor to describe the culture at Crandall University, it would be as follows: “Crandall is like a box of chocolates”
ReplyDeleteMuch like a box of chocolates, the Crandall University staff members are all similar in certain ways. In fact, they are obligated to sign a document which is designed to guarantee that the staff will all share the same values.
However, once you get to know each teacher individually, you realize that each teacher is unique. Students quickly develop preferences when it comes to teachers - much like they would prefer one chocolate over another.
I agree with Kemoy’s metaphor about the school being a lot like the song “We are family”.
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt that students would be invited to their teacher’s houses for supper, but I can distinctly remember many occasions which I have been invited to Stephen Dempster’s house and Chris Quek’s house. Also, the business faculty sometimes hosts Christmas parties or Business Society meetings at their houses. Finally, I have called every one of my business professors at home at some point in my life.
I can certainly see how that metaphor applies.
It’s interesting that each of us has a pretty different metaphor for the leadership at Crandall University. I wonder if it would be possible to distill all of our ideas into one metaphor, or if this is simply not possible because of each of our personal experiences and perspectives. In reading each of the metaphor’s that we have proposed, I wonder where the line is drawn between perception and reality. For instance, some of what I read about the senior leadership at Crandall has never been apparent to me. Others, however, do seem to have first hand knowledge about the inner workings of the university.
ReplyDeleteI tried to look at the school from 20,000 feet to capture its essence. Several themes emerge based on my experience and those are largely good things. I am acutely aware that there are likely issues. I don’t think that a university that has undergone such radical change in a few short years would be without its struggles. Like our textbook says, in times of crisis we get a good look at the leadership. Overall, I think that the university has been guided well over the past few years that I have been a student.
I think the following metaphor works for me in the end (if I take out the touchy-feely bits), and that is Leading and Learning. The leadership leads, but as the entity grows, they are also the student.
Just thinking, should we try to take a crack at distilling our ideas into one metaphor? (I know the time is getting short, but we do have until midnight!) Rob, would you have any suggestions of your own, from a university leadership perspective?
ReplyDeleteI like Tommy's metaphor about a box full of chocolates, I never thought of it that way and I definitely agree. I like your thoughts Jackie about trying to capture everyone's thoughts into one metaphor. I do think it would be a little difficult because of everyone's different experiences, but as I re-read everyone's posts it does seem, that in one way or another, that there is an underlying theme. We have all commented positively about our experiences with our professors.. so maybe we could take that direction to create a metaphor. It does certainly feel like we are all a family within our programs
ReplyDeleteI guess Sister Sledge got it right for us! "We Are Family" does have a great ring. It speaks to cohesion at every level, it refers to the interconnectedness of the staff and students, and it gives you an "arms wrapped around you" visual. I like it. What do you think? Survey says...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week everyone! (Last week, phew!)
Ho ho... I'll keep my perspectives quiet for the time being Jackie :o)
ReplyDeleteThis discussion is now closed - thanks everyone!