Imminent Departure Series: Survivability of Incompetence
This is the third post in the Imminent Departure Series, my final thoughts about what I think colleges do wrong in their day-to-day operations. This is my last-ditch attempt to effect change while I still work for a college full time. Read other posts in the series here.
Yesterday I solicited ideas on Twitter for this series. Not that I don’t have enough of my own, but I wanted to give others the chance to participate anonymously. After all, who doesn’t love railing on the absurdities every now and again?
Here was one of my favorite comments:
The survivability of incompetence. Hard to make progress when shackled by long-term administrators who only care about themselves.
If you’ve worked at a college for any length of time, you’ve run into someone who fits this description. They’re kind of like the loud-mouthed faculty member that is a constant thorn in your side…they don’t make up the majority but sometimes it seems like they do.
But here’s the deal…it’s easy to sit back and complain about people like this…blame them for being in you way of getting things done. Instead, why not challenge yourself to come up with creative ways to get things done in spite of them?
If you think they are incompetent, then chances are other people you work with think the same thing, and are just as eager to work around the person as you are. That may be all you need to get the ball rolling.
You’re going to have to do some ego-placating along the way…make them think that they are really in charge of the situation…you might even have to let them take credit for some of the things you do…but ultimately, that’s the tradeoff you might have to make.
At the end of the day, don’t use people like this as an excuse. There are ways to get around them.
Have any tips to share for situations like this? Leave a comment!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like what you read here? Subscribe to this blog through RSS or sign up to receive email updates when new content is posted.
Hire Karlyn: Karlyn is the President & Principal Consultant of DoJo Web Strategy, where she helps colleges and universities utilize the web in their marketing efforts. Find out how she can help your institution by requesting a proposal today »
July 31st, 2009
I think you have to take an Ayn Rand-ian approach to people like that because in effect they do nothing except prevent progress. If you put your head down and just ‘do’ without even acknowledging the existence of the incompetent blowhard (i’m 100% serious, don’t open emails from that person or pick up the phone when s/he calls). I think you’ll find in the end that actions speak louder then his/her words and people will begin to see how intollerable that person is, and how you have perservered.
August 1st, 2009
I have had success with a slightly different strategy in these situations. Ask the faculty member to join your committee or sub group to help work on or study the challenge. You get a chance to work more closely with the “thorn in your side” and maybe even provide a little education to the person. You may be able to turn the person into an advocate for you and your department.