Massive Reorganization & Collegiality

So, the IT organization at the University of Texas at Austin has been undergoing massive reorganization over the past year…and the metamorphosis continues. I’ll admit, I thrive on change, as long as it is for the positive and is respectful to the value of each individual human being.

I’m looking at these changes as a wonderful opportunity for us to refresh the way we enable IT at UT. Reflecting on the past, I’m deeply proud of what we have accomplished and I’m tingling with anticipation to see our future vision become a reality. You see, when it all comes down to it, I work here because I believe in the core purpose of this place:

To transform lives for the benefit of society through the core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility.

Today, one of my colleagues shared valuable leadership advice…advice that I feel like taping to my door as a reminder of how important it is to be a problem solver who is respectful and considerate of others. The following is a quote from “The Tenure Track’s Pandora’s Box” and while it was written for tenure track faculty, it is equally relavant for all leaders:

1. Whiners are boring.
2. Walk the talk.
3. Get to know your colleagues by asking for advice.
4. Get to know your colleagues by getting to know their work.
5. Do invite people out to lunch.
6. Don’t make enemies with important people.
7. Mom was right: if you can’t say something nice don’t say it at all.
8. Be a good listener.
9. Give positive feedback publicly.
10. Seek out mentors.
11. Find a likeable side of everyone.
12. Leave your door open.
13. Don’t talk too much at meetings.
14. Make friends.
15. Don’t get angry: get tenure. [I.e., advance to more significant responsibilities.]
16. Realize that no one can follow all these rules!

Sometimes reminders like this are priceless.