go fast , go alone . If you want to go far , go together .” Shared governance is essential in higher education . On important decisions , I get input from faculty , staff , students , and all our stakeholders . The worst thing a leader can hear is that the process was poor , and no one was included . I share information , and if it isn ’ t something I can share , I say why or when it can be shared .
Be empowering , positive , and authentic . Believe in your people and their dreams and help them to achieve them by empowering people to use their talents to do their jobs . Be optimistic , even in the face of tough challenges , but also be human . It ’ s ok to not know the answer . We all have imposter syndrome , except the people that probably need it . As Adam Grant notes , “ The only people who never feel like imposters are narcissists … Questioning yourself reflects humility and propels growth .”
Lesson # 4 : Be people focused and policy driven . At the law school , we operate by policy , not by favoritism . I do not believe in special deals , which I define as anything that would create animosity or be a headline if everyone knew . If you can ’ t share the decision openly , it probably isn ’ t the right decision . We must be consistent , transparent , and guided by policy and data in decision-making . I believe in treating everyone equitably , which is often different than equally . Even exceptions should be made consistently under the circumstances . I make inconsistencies consistent by having a rationale for it that can be replicated in future situations .
Lesson # 5 : Listen . As Stephen Covey said , “ Most people do not listen with the intent to understand ; they listen with the intent to reply .” I teach reflective listening . Helping people become better communicators and mediators is my gift . If we are listening , people will talk . A leader ’ s ideas are not more important as great ideas can come from anyone . Beware , there are always people who will tell you your idea is a good one , even if it isn ’ t . Surround yourself with people who will be honest with you . Be approachable and take their critique well . I meet with our student leaders every month for lunch to talk about what is going well and what can be improved . One day , I asked everyone why they might tell a prospective student not to come to UND . The answer was easy - the weather ! And then someone said , hot chocolate would really help . That ’ s a really good idea . So we now have hot chocolate in our atrium on winter Monday ’ s to welcome everyone back from the weekend .
How do these lessons relate to picking up the pepperoni ? One day last year , I was walking up to the third floor with a colleague . I noticed a single pepperoni sitting on the stairs . We walked past it and finished our conversation . I went back downstairs , found a paper towel , picked up the pepperoni , and threw it away . Not a big deal . Several people come up to me that day and said , “ I can ’ t believe you picked up a pepperoni .” I shrugged . Why is it a big deal for me to do what anyone should do if they see something that needs to be done ? I am not in a role that is too important to pick up a pepperoni . I ’ m not suggesting we take on tasks that are other peoples ’ responsibility : I know technically I ’ m not paid to pick up the
pepperoni . But maybe that ’ s exactly what I ’ m paid to do : To create a culture where we care about the details , and we work hard together to support our students , legal community , and state .
Positive results can happen for any person or organization in the short term . The long-term sustainability of your success is determined by how you handle the bumps in the road . That is determined by your culture . When you can stand shoulder to shoulder with people and they know you value them and are there to support them , they will work hard with you . You can ’ t expect anyone to do anything you wouldn ’ t do , haven ’ t done , or don ’ t understand . In conclusion , if you want to become a better leader , work to be a better you , so you can be better for everyone . It ’ s what I ’ m trying to do every day . And pick up the pepperoni ! Just don ’ t eat it .
My presentation ( along with the entire “ 18:83 Speaker Series ”) can be accessed at https :// und . edu / student-life / studentinvolvement / 1883-speaker-series . html .
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