An uproar has been happening at Purdue University. The current governor of the state of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, has been named as the next president of the university and will take on his new duties in 2013. For those that study leadership, change and resistance, this is the perfect case study.
A quick backdrop: Mitch has been successful in business and politics. He is unafraid to make big sweeping changes – and has. Although a smart guy, he is not an academic. In fact, as governor he has stripped funding from public education – from kindergarten to grad school. One might be hard pressed to find many educators who support him.On the flip side, Indiana is one of the few states that weathered the recession with money in the bank. Mitch’s forte is much more about the checkbook and less about the textbook.
Mitch faces the formidable task of leading the unwilling. And in the few short weeks since the announcement, they are the vocal, active unwilling. Complicate that by the fact he does not assume the duties for almost 6 months – a long void in which suspicion, distrust and faction building can breed unchecked.
As this situation unfolds, it will be a great case study with two potential plot lines:
- Businessman, politician turned academic leader wins over the hearts and minds of the university as he is a breath of fresh air in the stuffy corridors of academia. His fiscal abilities and no nonsense leadership enable the school to rid themselves of some ancient sacred cows and position themselves well for the future.
- Businessman, politician turned academic leader underestimates the power and passion of the hallowed traditions of academia and continues to make misstep after misstep using the same strategies and tactics that worked for him in the past. His tenure is gridlocked in turf wars, stonewalling and protest (overt and covert). He goes down in history of one of the most galvanizing, yet ineffective leaders the university has had.
Personally, I’m not sure which plot line will play out. I am certain though, that either outcome is possible and all dependent on Mitch’s leadership. If he is able to adapt his leadership style in a way that honors his new setting and at the same time stays true to his inner values, it may be #1. If he attempts to lead the university in exactly the same way that provided success in corporate America – Purdue will be in for a rough and bumpy road.
