Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Sean McDonald of MOR Associates. He may be reached at [email protected] or via LinkedIn.
Where do you start when taking on big leadership challenges (bigger than any one of us)? In last week’s Tuesday Reading, we focused on the current context facing higher education in the US, and how we could meet the moment. When asked where they could contribute and lead from where they are most, the top answer from readers was leveraging technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
What now?
Make time for strategic thinking
We need to step away from the day-to-day and gain a view from the balcony of the work. We need to rethink the work, focus on the mission-critical results, and rethink processes and technologies that no longer serve us. How can we simplify, automate, and innovate differently for increased efficiency and effectiveness?
You and your team are closest to the work you serve. You are best suited to do this assessment. Be intentional to break from “this is how it’s always been done” thinking and instead approach from the mindset of “how should it be.” Don’t wait until someone else tries to assess your work for you.
Leading change and influence
As leaders, we know a good idea alone does not always succeed. We need a carefully thought-out plan to advance the idea, engage others, and successfully implement. Habits run deep. Rethinking work and processes means not only changing your own approach, but also supporting others in rethinking their practices. Understanding why can be the easy work. Meeting people where they are to move from here to there takes extra focus and effort.
Culture and environment
This is a time when ideas, experiments, and actions are required. However, many organizational cultures and environments are not conducive for people to take risks, or anything resembling a risk. As a leader, we must assess what practices we can start or continue doing that encourage and reinforce amplifying voices and sharing ideas, taking calculated risks, and understanding what we should stop doing that may be limiting these desired behaviors.
How else can we approach this?
For MOR, we always approach big leadership challenges by consistently prioritizing community engagement. Bringing them together to be part of the solution and taking ownership of the action plan. This past week, at the MOR Monthly Alumni Community Connection, we discussed the challenges of meeting this moment. With over seventy people in one hour, we got great ideas for all five areas covered in last week’s article. Here is what some in the MOR Alumni community came up with for leveraging technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Automation and AI as enablers of efficiency and higher-value work
- Automation and AI free people from repetitive tasks and create capacity for more meaningful, strategic, or creative work.
- They can reduce the need for temporary hires, fill gaps, and streamline tools and processes.
- Approaching the benefits as “what’s in it for you” with staff helps build buy-in.
Change management and culture each matter as much as the tech
- Successful adoption requires careful preparation, strong communication, and sensitivity to staff concerns (e.g., job security).
- Leaders must bring people along, upskill staff, and emphasize delegation rather than replacement.
- Advancing adoption works best when it feels supportive, not forceful, and when end-user experience is prioritized.
Guardrails, governance, and trust in technology
- Adoption requires policies, procedures, and clarity on decision-making authority.
- There are challenges to be solved with data privacy, security, and other legal concerns, especially around AI and student data (FERPA). These challenges are solvable.
- “Shadow IT” and grassroots experimentation can be important drivers of innovation. Embrace them while balancing with institutional compliance and oversight.
Collaboration as an engine of change
Collaboration will be an engine of change and foundational to any work of increasing impact: progress toward solving today’s big leadership challenges comes from people coming together. Create forums where solutions can be offered, innovations amplified, and lessons learned from each other. Encourage connection across boundaries. Bring together those who seldom collaborate but share a common purpose. Be willing to harness the energy from constructive conflict—knowing that discomfort, when guided, becomes the fuel for real change.
If we approach these challenges with courageous action, teamwork, and a willingness to listen and understand, we don’t just endure turbulence. We become institutions that set the pace, amplify what is possible, and turn adversity into opportunity. It begins with leading from where you are, creating the space for others to do the same, and moving forward together, one strategically intentional step at a time.
In which area do you most want to grow in leading change and solving today’s big leadership challenges?
Last week we asked where you could contribute the most when meeting the moment at your institution and leading from where you are:
- 28% said ensure systems increase efficiencies
- 23% said integrate services and optimize spend
- 21% said increase alignment with the mission
- 16% said contribute to financial sustainability
- 12% said support the people needed for the long run
As we think about meeting the moment, it is important to consider the people, the process, and the product. This week we explored the people, process, and product as we consider efficiencies. In future weeks we will continue to explore meeting the moment in service integration, supporting the people, and more.