Change in Academia
Academics tend toward intrinsic motivation and learning to swim by jumping into the deep end. Figuring things out on one’s own has its limits, however.
Individuals develop idiosyncratic methods that may not translate well as new challenges appear. A stance strongly oriented toward achievement via independence can be difficult to coordinate with others. And the pace and magnitude of an academic career can leave too many tasks under-attended, resulting in gaps and blocks in the mechanisms of academe. If you find yourself ready to make change but not sure how to approach it or how to overcome certain barriers, Kardia Group change experts are available for advice and guidance on making change in academia.
See also:
The challenges of making change in academia, Part I
The challenges of making change in academia, Part II
The challenges of making change in academia, Part III
Making change in academia: Who is changing, and how?
Leadership Skills Snapshot
Throughout their career faculty are thought leaders, project leaders, and committee chairs, as well as leaders in classrooms, labs, meetings, review processes, and the many forms of faculty governance. Yet few faculty have the benefit of leadership models or training to inform these activities and improve their effectiveness in these roles. This short coaching series utilizes the CPI 260® assessment to target leadership strengths and challenges and apply them to everyday faculty life. See also the Leadership Awareness Snapshot, a short coaching series utilizing the MBTI® assessment.
Conflict Skills Snapshot
The challenges of engaging and resolving conflict – be it interpersonal, intergroup, scholarly, or across roles – is the most commonly cited frustration we hear from academics. This self-paced program combines a brief tutorial on modes for handling conflict with an individualized assessment to inform the efforts of individuals to engage conflict more effectively. This program can also be used as a basis for group discussions.
Career Planning after Tenure
Many things change after achieving tenure, but few individual faculty members have the frameworks or skills to make sense of these changes or navigate them in a proactive manner. This self-paced series guides reflection and planning for associate professors – at any point within this rank. Topics include: the complexities of an academic career; the intersection of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and identity; understanding and choosing priorities; and time management. This program can also be used as a basis for group discussions or coaching. Contact us for more information.
Themed Coaching Groups
Join other faculty asking defining questions about the faculty career path in these 8-session online coaching groups.
→ Assistant Professors
→ newly tenured Associate Professors
→ mid-career Associate Professors
→ newly promoted Full Professors
→ Full Professors nearing retirement
→ Academics considering leaving academia
Kardia Group is a strategic partner for departmental change across a range of natural science, engineering, social science, humanities, and medical fields. Typical change goals address:
departmental communication and transparency
departmental climate
faculty governance
mentoring
faculty conflicts
strategic planning
adapting to disciplinary transformations
departmental cohesion
curricular change
leadership transitions
Consultations may be motivated by formal processes (such as the need for a strategic planning document), times of crisis or conflict, a low level frustration that the department is not operating at the level that it could, or a desire to change, grow, or become more successful at accomplishing intended goals. We provide 1-3 hour consultation sessions to discuss how we can help you in your change making efforts!
Kardia Group services include:
- consultations with (and training for) those leading change
- interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other data collection methods
- town halls, meetings, retreats and other strategic conversations
- customized seminars that elevate discussion and inform the change process
Contact us for more information!
