Book Discussions at CDLC: Reframing Academic Leadership

There are a few copies of this title available at CDLC member organizations but a number of copies available throughout NYS. Check with your Interlibrary Loan office to see you they are available to request.

The purchase price of this title ranges from $13 for the audiobook to $38 new.

Preface

About the Authors

Part I Leadership Epistemology: When You Understand, You Know What to Do

1. Opportunities and Challenges in Academic Leadership
2. Sensemaking and the Power of Reframing
3. Knowing What You’re Doing: Learning, Authenticity, and Theories for Action

Part II Reframing Leadership Challenges

4. Building Clarity and Capacity: Leader as Analyst and Architect
5. Respecting and Managing Differences: Leader as Compassionate Politician
6. Fostering a Caring and Productive Campus: Leader as Servant, Catalyst, and Coach
7. Keeping the Faith and Celebrating the Mission: Leader as Prophet and Artist

Part III Sustaining Higher Education Leaders: Courage and Hope

8. Managing Conflict
9. Leading from the Middle
10. Leading Difficult People
11. Managing Your Boss
12. Sustaining Health and Vitality
13. Feeding the Soul

Epilogue: The Sacred Nature of Academic Leadership

References

Name Index

Subject Index

Date: Tuesday, June 25
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: In Person, CDLC Green Room​
Agenda: Introductions, identify attendees’ goals, knowledge outcomes, discussion of chapters 1, 2, and 3​
Preparation: Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 (47 pgs)
Optional Activity: Take an online leadership quiz (e.g. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/leadership-style-quiz.htm

Questions to Consider:

Introductions

• What drew you to this book discussion? What do you hope to gain from the program?
• In your experiences, who are some individuals whose leadership style(s) you have admired? What about their leadership style(s) worked?

Chapter 1

• What leadership qualities do you possess? What about areas you’d like to strengthen?
• What did you think about the following: “… it is easier to understand colleges and universities when you learn to think of them simultaneously as machines, families, jungles, and theaters.”

Chapter 2

• How has “sensemaking” factored into your own professional experiences?
• Discuss the five steps to building your reframing skills within the context of academic libraries: Can you identify obstacles specific to the field?

Chapter 3

• Often our colleagues see us differently than how we see ourselves; how can we better understand how we are seen by others? Does learning about Model I vs. Model II help in any way?
• Have you had experiences where you used one of the “four habits of learning for leadership effectiveness”? Is there something you would have done differently, in hindsight?
• How do you identify trusted colleagues when it comes to growing as a leader?

Date: Tuesday, July 9
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Zoom Call​
Agenda: Discussion of chapters 4 & 5​
Preparation: Read Chapters 4 & 5 (40 pgs)

Questions to Consider:

Chapter 4

• Regarding "structural leadership," have you experienced institutional structural issues that challenge productivity? If so, were you able to find a solution or work-around (p. 51)?
• Is it possible to bring structure to your own leadership and work when faced with larger institutional structural challenges (pp 53-54)?
• Which time-management techniques have you found to be successful?
• Discuss the idea of a "weak authority system" when it comes to partnering or collaborating with faculty (p 58).

Chapter 5

• How do we overcome the jungle mentality of, "you're only out for yourself," and how it can be heightened by scarce resources (pp 71-72)?
• Do you have techniques to balance the importance of patience with strategic goals and hard deadlines (p 75)?
• Discuss the importance of "mapping the political terrain." Please share your personal successes and failures (pp 79-86)! (Remember that failure usually leads to more learning in the long run.)

Date: Tuesday, July 23
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Zoom Call​
Agenda: Discussion of chapters 6 & 7​
Preparation: Read Chapters 6 & 7 (38 pgs)

Questions to Consider:

Chapter 6

• Discuss the idea that "leaders inherit a history" (p 91). What are ways to navigate this?
• Describe situations that have required you (or someone else) to step into the roles of servant, catalyst, and coach (p 92).
• Would viewing your staff as an "extended family" change the way you understand their inter-personal dynamics (p 93)?
• What resonated for you when reading about the following elements: open communication; empowerment; effective teams for collective action; support; coaching, and care; hiring the right people (pp 94 - 105)?

Chapter 7

• Do you find yourself acting as a spiritual leader and/or spirited artist in your leadership role (p 109 - 110)?
• What does "symbolic leadership" look like to you?
• Have you ever faced difficulties navigating a strong culture (p 115)?
• Will you be adjusting your leadership techniques based on the following concepts: building on the past for an exciting, new vision of the future; leading by example; constructing a heroic narrative and telling it often; leveraging the power in ritual and ceremony (pp 117 - 125)?

Date: Thursday, August 15
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Zoom Call​
Agenda: Discussion of chapters 8, 9 & 10​
Preparation: Read Chapters 8, 9 & 10​ (50 pgs)

Questions to Consider:

Participants, please bring 1-2 talking points from each chapter (8, 9, and 10) – essentially something that caught your interest or that you’d like to discuss more in-depth with the group.

Questions will be posted to this discussion guide after our online discussion.

Date: Friday, August 23
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: In Person, CDLC Green Room​
Agenda: Discussion of chapters 11, 12, 13, & Epilogue​, action items, summaries
Preparation: Read Chapters 11, 12, 13, & Epilogue (36 pgs)

Questions to Consider:

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