tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post6942731451529323913..comments2024-03-28T17:13:01.117+10:00Comments on Condensed concepts: How do you run a meaningful and effective consultation?Ross H. McKenziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09950455939572097456noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post-21650712818679731622017-12-07T10:31:40.996+10:002017-12-07T10:31:40.996+10:00David- thanks for the answers.
Let me then illust...David- thanks for the answers. <br />Let me then illustrate how Appreciative Inquiry might work in your case.<br /><br />It would highlight several key "assets" that you have<br />- collegiality<br />- support from the senior administration<br />- an engaged advisory group<br /><br />A good strategic plan will consider ways to preserve, enhance, and leverage these assets.<br />They should not be taken for granted. Any of the three can be easily destroyed, even by one belligerent individual.<br /><br />I think this is also where the Chair plays a key role. They need to making sure all these relationships are good and nipping problems in the bud.<br /><br />Simple initiatives such a family picnics, regular lunches for faculty, can enhance and build all these strategic relationships.Ross H. McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09950455939572097456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post-50718583624124925312017-11-29T08:18:33.041+10:002017-11-29T08:18:33.041+10:00I like Ross comments:
A pre-condition for this wo...I like Ross comments: <br />A pre-condition for this work the department must have a culture of collegiality. Otherwise faculty won't engage (commit 10 hours) or accept the outcome. Faculty must believe they will be heard, be willing to listen to others with different views, and be willing to compromise. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the extreme hierarchical nature of Australian universities often means the "listening" is a one way stream from top to bottom, thereby preventing the "culture of collegiality" from happening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post-89067852623499967172017-11-22T22:58:19.597+10:002017-11-22T22:58:19.597+10:00Ross - some quick comments on your very pertinent ...Ross - some quick comments on your very pertinent points. I am fortunate to be in a department that is highly collegial. This does not mean that we always agree with one another, although there is broad agreement on our overall values. The senior administration at my institution is supportive too. It is important that our department's strategic plan aligns with the institution's strategic plan, but that plan is so broad that this alignment is not difficult to achieve. <br /><br />Your last point is critical and is the toughest one. In some sense only time will tell! But one of our goals is to have a relatively short plan that is actionable rather than a very long "shopping list" that covers all possible items.Prof. Shollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478272124748674635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post-25556692975467940882017-11-22T10:22:52.036+10:002017-11-22T10:22:52.036+10:00David, Thanks for another helpful and stimulating ...David, Thanks for another helpful and stimulating comment. It is not too long.<br /><br />I think your process looks excellent. I like the way you have delegated this and the involvement of the advisory board.<br /><br />Here are my thoughts.<br /><br />1. A pre-condition for this work the department must have a culture of collegiality. Otherwise faculty won't engage (commit 10 hours) or accept the outcome.<br />Faculty must believe they will be heard, be willing to listen to others with different views, and be willing to compromise. They have to be willing to look beyond their own pet peeves and narrow self interest to work together for the common good.<br />Unfortunately, too many departments do not have such a culture of collegiality.<br /><br />2. What is the role of the Dean and Provost, with regard to the outcome? How will they support it or undermine it?<br /><br />3. What accountability is there in place for the strategic plan to be implemented? In a range of contexts I have seen too many plans that are a mish-mash (dog's breakfast in Aussie lingo!) of a long list of goals, that realistically cannot all be implemented. Or circumstances change (a new Chair or Dean, a budget crisis, ...) and it all goes out the window.<br /><br />Ross H. McKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09950455939572097456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439168179960787195.post-50376448916474733442017-11-21T22:46:54.697+10:002017-11-21T22:46:54.697+10:00My academic department (~40 faculty) is in the mid...My academic department (~40 faculty) is in the midst of a strategic planning process, leading to a one day retreat about a month from now. Here is how we are doing it (I am not claiming this is the best way and would welcome feedback):<br />- the process is being run by an elected group of 4 faculty, not by the department head (me)<br />- the elected group hosted 3 one hour open discussions aimed at developing a consensus on the key issues and listening for new ideas<br />- the elected group spent ~3 hours discussing their summary to date with our external advisory board (a very engaged group of alumni typically in leadership positions in their companies)<br />- one member of our advisory board with extensive experience in consulting is going to be the facilitator for our retreat<br />- the elected faculty group will send a draft consensus report to the faculty before the retreat with the idea that the retreat can mainly focus on tactics (rather than strategy).<br /><br />At the conclusion of this process, a typical faculty member will have given about 9-10 hours of time, and the elected group more than double that. My sense is that asking for more time than this is unreasonable.<br /><br />Finally, I will advocate for our academic program actual having a meaningful strategic plan. We last did this about 10 years ago, and then plan laid out clear and aggressive goals and some ways to reach those goals. This led to continued changes in our program and ultimately to the goals being reached. It is therefore a good time to revisit this exercise.<br /><br />Thanks for reading an unusually long comment.Prof. Shollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478272124748674635noreply@blogger.com