Want to drive transformation and build stronger teams in higher ed? Tune in for insights from Craig Alexander, continuous improvement officer at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. In this episode of NACUBO’s Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone chats with Craig about his unique journey from a 16-year career at Sprint to higher education, key leadership insights, and strategies for driving innovation on campus.
Craig shares surprising parallels he’s noticed between challenges faced in the corporate world and higher ed, such as declining customers/students and the need to differentiate and cut costs. He emphasizes the importance of effective change management, which involves transparently sharing the “why” behind decisions, proactively inviting feedback, and continuously fine-tuning processes.
Key Takeaways:
- Building authentic relationships happens through one-on-one meetings and meaningful phone calls, not just email
- Strong leaders own up to missteps, focus on making things easier, and deeply care about doing the right thing
- When facing problems, ask “Where have I missed it?” and use “I” statements to reduce conflict
- Studying psychology helps leaders better understand and work with people
Throughout the conversation, Craig underscores his commitment to leaving a legacy of always striving to do the right thing, addressing problems head-on, and engaging in candid conversations. He advises leaders to start by looking inward when challenges arise and to prioritize understanding the people they work with.
Links
- Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts!
