One aspect of leading for the common good is the ability to lead across boundaries. We’re all familiar with the problem of silos in academia. Many times even well-meaning activities fail to include everyone who has a stake in an issue or tools to help address it. And there are many other potential divisions that can be formed by race, gender, age, even which candidate someone voted for. Bringing people together across these boundaries is a critical leadership challenge.
I recently came across an article in Forbes that made a connection between boundaries and another hot issue in academia – incivility. The author pointed out, logically enough, that much of the incivility we’re dealing with is based on an unwillingness to work together with people that are on the other side of some perceived boundary.
Somehow I hadn’t connected the idea that by leading people to work together across boundaries, we are also creating an environment where people show respect and civility. Here are some recommendations from the article:
- Treat employees as problem-solving partners
- Make sure everyone has a voice
- Provide ways for people to speak up about concerns and ideas
- Build teams that bring diverse people together
- Make sure it’s OK to ask uncomfortable questions
- Promoting collaboration that is focused on the common good
How have you seen leaders effectively lead across boundaries? Do you agree that it promoted an environment of respect and civility?
Dee Anne Bonebright
Image: Hands Across the Divide, sculpture by Maurice Harron, Co Derry, Ireland
Higher EDge 