Six Week Sprint #5: Plan for Growth--Meet the Moment, August 28, 2022

You became an Academic Leader, in part, because you believe in the power of learning to spur growth. By deciding how you want to grow as an Academic Leader, you’ll make it easier to find–and take–opportunities for development. ​

For the past few weeks, you’ve been focused on building the foundations your community needs for a successful year. Now, it’s time to take a deep breath, look inward, and think about what you need too. You became an Academic Leader, in part, because you believe in the power of learning to spur growth. It’s also too easy to put your own growth on the back burner when you’re supporting others. By deciding now how you want to grow as an Academic Leader, you’ll make it easier to find–and take–opportunities for development. 

Tip 1:  Ask “How do I like to learn?”  Think back to the full range of learning experiences you’ve had. Do you get energized by discussions that ask and answer weighty questions? Maybe you love experiential learning, making and building. Perhaps it’s thrilling to listen to a scholar share new information and perspectives. Whatever your preference, seek out the right setting and structure for joyful learning.

Tip 2:  Ask “What do I need to do better?”  Reflect on the different tasks and projects you take on in your work. Is there a domain that you consistently find challenging, or a task that you procrastinate or avoid? Building your skills in these areas can make your work easier. Consider if there is a conference, program, or coach that can target an aspect of your work for improvement.

Tip 3:  Ask “Where do I want to become adept?” Academic Leaders take on many roles in their work, which can sometimes lead to schools valuing a breadth of skills over a deeper and more sustained proficiency. Choosing to invest in an existing area of strength can help you develop a deft proficiency, which allows you to serve as a resource to your colleagues. Growth isn’t just about filling in the gaps–it’s also about finding places where you can shine.