Change is scary, but growth requires change. Because of this leadership reality, there is no dearth of advice on leading change. One of the more novel ideas comes from organizational theorist Karl Weick. In a 1984 article, Weick laid out a method, the small wins strategy, for approaching large scale change by breaking it into smaller, easier to manage chunks. The strategy involves thinking about a big change as a set of much smaller, interrelated projects that, when completed, result in the big … [Read more...] about Small Wins for Big Results
craig van slyke
Becoming Excellent
In some circles, the term “excellence” gets thrown around frequently, either explicitly or implied in phrases like “going to the next level.” Organizational gurus have penned dozens of views on what excellence means, and how to achieve it. (Anyone remember “In Search of Excellence?”) Excellence is a fascinating, important topic (hence all the books), but despite all the books and articles, the topic remains muddy to many. So, I thought I’d share my take on excellence. The first question is … [Read more...] about Becoming Excellent
Six for 2016
Here we are, at the beginning of another year. 2015 was eventful, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of an uneventful year. While we don’t know what 2016 will bring, I know a few things I’d like to see in the New Year. Since I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I decided to simply describe what I hope to see this year in myself and in others. More civility: This will surprise no one who read my December column. The world needs more civility and less rancor, especially as we move into the … [Read more...] about Six for 2016
NAU Business Dean: A Plea for Civility
Unfollow (an odd word to anyone not familiar with social networks) means to no longer be notified of someone’s status updates. Recently, I seem to be on a bit of an “unfollow” tear on Facebook. Essentially, unfollowing someone is a kinder, gentler version of unfriending (another new word) someone. Why am I unfollowing people? Because I’m so tired of the level of incivility among supposed friends. The news is rife with controversial issues, immigration, gun control, climate change; the list goes … [Read more...] about NAU Business Dean: A Plea for Civility
Leading NAU’s Business College During All Seasons
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been facing a number of challenges, both personally and professionally. These challenges led to much reflection about how to deal with times of difficulty. It comes to no surprise for regular readers, but I have some thoughts on the topic. Not surprisingly, my favorite philosophers, the Stoics, give us guidance. A core tenant of Stoicism is also the key to dealing with troubling times. As Epictetus (a slave for much of his life) began his book, “The Enchiridion … [Read more...] about Leading NAU’s Business College During All Seasons
Finding the Path to Life-Work Balance at NAU
If you’re like me, finding the proper balance between life and work is a challenge. (The term “life/work balance” is odd when you think about it. For many of us, work is a huge part of our lives, so the term is a bit of a false dichotomy. Despite this, I’ll refer to the non-work part of life as simply life.) Anyway, in our modern, achievement-driven world, it’s difficult to find the proper mix of work and the rest of your life. Even though this topic has been addressed by many wiser souls, I’ll … [Read more...] about Finding the Path to Life-Work Balance at NAU
Moving Forward with Promise, Purpose, Persistence at NAU
As I write this, we are almost at the beginning of another academic year. While I love the quiet of summer, around this time, I look forward to the buzz of a new year. The new years are especially exciting since I’ve been teaching a freshman seminar. The students are so excited (no matter how much they try to hide their excitement), they’ve transitioned to the next phase of life, complete with its promise and the potential for a bright future. Most students live up to their promise to some … [Read more...] about Moving Forward with Promise, Purpose, Persistence at NAU
Embracing Impermanence
A few weeks ago, I came home from work and, much to my dismay, a house was being built on the lot next to us. When I left home that morning, the lot was, as always, vacant, with a magnificent, old tree smack in the middle of the space. Now the tree was gone, little more than a huge pulled stump and a pile of logs. I’m no arborist, but the tree had to be decades old, and now it was gone. Years of growing, giving home to birds, bugs and squirrels, standing tall and firm … gone in between leaving … [Read more...] about Embracing Impermanence
See Your Possibilities, Not Your Limitations
For almost two decades, my email signature has ended with "See your possibilities, not your limitations." I borrowed this sentence from a brief moment in a pretty bad movie. I remember nothing else about the film, only that line, but when the actor uttered the words, it was quite an epiphany for me; this is how you should live. Focus on what's possible, and the world opens itself to you. You'll accomplish more, be happier and experience less frustration. Life's ups and downs are revealed for … [Read more...] about See Your Possibilities, Not Your Limitations
NAU Getting New Dean for Business College
Craig Van Slyke, associate dean for Academic Programs at the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University, has been selected as the dean of The W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University, effective July 1. Van Slyke said NAU's focus on increasing access to undergraduate education and the potential for growth within The W.A. Franke College of Business attracted him to the role. “As a first generation college student myself, I know the impact that a university … [Read more...] about NAU Getting New Dean for Business College
