Leadership in the Financial Aid Office: Reality TV Style

1. Leadership in the Financial Aid Office: Reality TV Style Heather Boutell, Bellarmine University hboutell@bellarmine.edu

2. Definition of Leadership • According to Merriam-Webster – • Leadership = the office or position of a leader; capacity to lead; the act or instance of leading • Lead = to guide on a way especially by going in advance, to direct on a course or in a direction, to direct the operations, activity, or performance of ; to have charge of; to go at the head of;: to be first in or among

3. Famous Leadership Quotes • “Leadership: the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower • “You’re only as good as the people you hire.” – Ray Kroc • “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

4. Other Great Sources for Use! • Reality TV! • American Idol • Survivor • Amazing Race • Big Brother • Fear Factor • Dancing with the Stars • SuperNanny • Project Runway

5. Lesson #1: Don’t Be Afraid to Sing Your Song!

7. Practical Advice • Always be excited to share your message and take every opportunity. • Be proud of your message of access to higher education. • You may be misunderstood. • Others may find you a bit weird. • Keep smiling.

8. Lesson #2: Follow the Rules

10. Practical Advice • Hire staff that understand you have to follow the rules. • Regularly go over the rules in staff meetings, in creative ways. • Be aware of changes to the rules! • Adjusting the rules does bring risk. (PJ) • Understand that presenting the rules to students may bring anger and resentment, and consider the “music”.

11. Lesson #3: Make Sacrifices for the Team

13. Practical Advice • Do Your Best for the Team – work hard to overcome the obstacles. • Once something goes your way (default rate, enrollment, literacy event), give credit to everyone involved. • If on the team, say thank you to those who acknowledge you. • Be able to do the functions of those you supervise. • Watch for the ones who want to be first.

14. Lesson #4: Admit when you make mistakes!

16. Practical Advice • Mistakes are going to happen based on the complicated level of our field. • Build confidence of employees if they occur. • Admit your mistakes. • Fix your mistakes. • Remember mistakes are replayed, but good moments can be fleeting.

17. Lesson #5: People are watching!

19. Practical Advice • As a leader, others see your actions. You are being watched! • Actions really do speak louder than words. • Ethical decisions – will they stand up to the newspaper test? • Generational differences mean varying generational expectations.

20. Lesson #6: Do Things You Don’t Want to do!

22. Practical Advice • New regs, new rules; change can be tough to swallow. • Take on responsibilities you don’t want to do – others will follow your lead. • Realize your fears inside. • Conquer the fears.

23. Lesson #7: Ask Others for Help!

25. Practical Advice • Ask for help from others and rely on your FAA friends. • Know whom to ask and be willing to share openly. • Realize that diverse solutions can bring a win to your office. • Pay attention to your challenges and try to stay on course. • Know where the playground is.

26. Lesson #8: Let Your Leadership Reflect Who You Are!

28. Practical Advice • Let your office and leadership style reflect you. • Make sure your creativity is relevant. • Watch and see what the judges think. • Remember you are not designing for you, but for others – students, your staff, families.

29. Reality TV and Leadership….. • Pride • Diligence • Sacrifice • Humility • Transparency • Cooperation • Reliance on Others

30. Good luck with your leadership skills – tune in and “channel” them whenever you can!