The culture of any organization can seem immutable to those within it. That is certainly the case in higher education. Many colleges, like many organizations of all stripes, tend to view their cultures as almost sacrosanct, as though they can never, will never, and should never change. I know I lost out on several university dean jobs when, during my interview, I offered observations of culture and the need to innovate. I even had a slideshow on the subject to support my presentations to faculty and staff. People would nod along with my ideas, but I was told more than once that my so-much-as-mentioning change or innovation was too “scary” for people.

Get full access to On Leading With Greatness at jimsalvucci.substack.com/subscribe