Hi there Reader,

Happy Fall, my friend...

A few insights at the fringes of the Academy.

Sara Howard on Agile Leadership in Higher Ed

Sara Howard, Chief of Staff at Tally, offers critical insights into driving change in complex environments.

• Agility in Higher Ed: By blending design thinking with Scrum Agile, Sara has successfully shortened the timeline for institutional change, turning years into months.
• Crisis Leadership: Her experience during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder underscores the need for empathy and active listening in leadership, particularly during crises.
• Disagree and Commit: Sara uses this Scrum Agile principle to foster alignment in her teams, ensuring progress even when full consensus is challenging.

​"Disagree and Commit" Excerpt; Full Interview​

AI Productivity Hacks for Higher Ed Leaders

AI isn’t just for tech companies—it’s rapidly becoming a game-changer for higher ed leadership.

• Accelerate Decision-Making: Tools like Otter.ai provide instant transcriptions and summaries of meetings, allowing for quicker, more informed decisions.
• Optimize Strategic Planning: AI platforms like Notion AI help organize and prioritize complex information, giving you the clarity needed to steer your institution effectively.
• Enhance Team Collaboration: AI-driven project management tools keep leadership teams aligned, ensuring strategic initiatives stay on track.

These AI tools can significantly improve how you lead, making your processes faster and more efficient.

​[Explore the Full Article]

PitchBook University Rankings: What They Mean for You

PitchBook’s latest rankings spotlight the impact of universities on the entrepreneurial world. Even if your institution isn’t listed, there are valuable lessons to consider:

• Emphasize Alumni Success: Showcase and support alumni who are making waves in entrepreneurship, regardless of your institution’s ranking.
• Strengthen Entrepreneurial Programs: Use insights from these rankings to refine and enhance your programs, ensuring they meet the needs of today’s entrepreneurs.
• Benchmark for Growth: Even if your institution isn’t featured, understanding these metrics can help you identify areas for improvement and growth.

[Read More]

Humble brag: We helped a Midwest institution find $600K+ in operational savings in using Automation and AI....

Curious to know more?

Reply with your availability in the weeks ahead and we will find a time to connect...

Best,

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

​​

unsubscribe here.