Podcasts Education Changing Higher Ed How Presidents Can Create a Thriving Workplace Culture in Higher Ed Institutions

How Presidents Can Create a Thriving Workplace Culture in Higher Ed Institutions

Published: Dec. 19, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

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In this episode of \'Changing Higher Ed\' Podcast, host Dr. Drum McNaughton and guest Dr. Carrie Lovelace Petr discuss the topic of creating a healthy workplace culture in Higher Education institutions.

Dr. Petr, a former senior education officer turned consultant, shares her expertise on leadership development and adapting to workplace culture. They discuss the impact of technology and the culture of \'always-on\' availability on employees\' quality of life and how this can be managed better. They also consider the concept of a \'vacation tax,\' the importance of work-life integration, and how the improvements can strengthen shared governance.\\xa0

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Discussion Overview:

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  • Workplace Culture in Higher Education: The episode explores the complexities of fostering a positive workplace culture in higher education institutions, emphasizing the critical role of presidents and leadership.

  • Technology\'s Influence: The conversation addresses the challenges posed by an \'always-on\' technology culture, including its impact on staff and faculty well-being.

  • Setting Boundaries and Expectations: The importance of setting healthy boundaries and managing expectations to ensure a sustainable work environment.

  • Vacation Tax and Workload Management: The concept of \'vacation tax\' and its implications for workload management are explored, underscoring the need for effective vacation policies and practices.

  • 24/7 Work Culture Consequences: Addressing the negative effects of a non-stop work culture.

  • Culture Continuum: Understanding the spectrum of good and bad practices in workplace culture.

  • Culture Sustainability: Evaluating the sustainability of the current work culture.

  • Faculty\'s Role in Expectations: Faculty\'s contribution to setting and managing expectations.

  • Consequences of Overworking: The impact of overwork and rapid response culture on staff.

  • Delayed Email Responses: The effectiveness of managing email and communication strategically.

  • Presidents and Workplace Culture: The critical role of university presidents in understanding and shaping workplace culture.

  • Invisible Labor: Highlighting the often unseen efforts in higher education.

  • Vacation and Workload Management: Discussing the importance of proper vacation time and workload management.

  • Boundaries Impact on Students: How setting boundaries can positively affect students.

  • Modeling Work-Life Integration: Leadership\'s role in demonstrating a healthy work-life balance.

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Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Presidents:

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  1. Modeling Healthy Work-Life Integration: Leaders should exemplify a balanced approach to work and personal life, setting a standard for their teams.

  2. Managing Technology and Expectations: It\'s crucial to manage the impact of technology and set realistic expectations for response times and availability.

  3. Addressing Vacation Tax: Leaders should be aware of the \'vacation tax\' and work towards creating policies that allow employees to take meaningful breaks without undue workload upon return.


Final Thoughts: The episode concludes with a reflection on the essential role of leadership in cultivating a healthy workplace culture, emphasizing the benefits of a supportive and well-managed work environment.

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Read the transcript on our website \\u2192

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About Our Guest

Carrie Lovelace Petr, Ph.D., PCC, BCC, is a seasoned executive administrator and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She trained as a certified professional and executive coach at the ICF-accredited College of Executive Coaching and is recognized as both an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation and a Board-Certified Coach by the Center for Credentialing Education.

Carrie has lived her professional career in service to higher education staff, students, and faculty. Partnering with long-time professionals and aspiring leaders to help them thrive and nurture their talents is her passion.

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About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of\\xa0Changing Higher Ed\\xae\\xa0podcast, is a consultant to higher education institutions in board governance, shared governance, accreditation, strategy, change, and mergers.\\xa0

To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm\\u2019s website: https://changinghighered.com/.

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The Change Leader\\u2019s Social Media Links

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#ChangingHigherEd #HigherEdCulture #HigherEducation

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