Issue 26(2)
Setting
Leadership Priorities: What's Necessary, What's Nice, and What's
Got to Go. (2005). Suzette Lovely. Corwin
Press (SAGE), 128 pp., $24.95. ISBN # 1-4129-1576-7.
Review
by: Lisa
Jamba
Instructor/Advisor,
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
University
of North Florida
According
to Suzette Lovely, I am on the verge of becoming an "Urgentaholic."
I am undoubtedly not alone; many academic advisors may find similar
results after taking the self-assessment "Adrenaline Addiction
Predictors" (p. 69) in Lovely's handbook for educational leaders.
Fortunately, Lovely offers many solutions and strategies for those
of us who need help recognizing and reshaping our counterproductive
work habits. Urgentaholics can benefit from posting the sidebar
"What Constitutes a Bona Fide Emergency" (p. 72) on our walls
for quick reference when faced with "urgent" interruptions.
Most of us will find that few of our daily issues meet the criteria;
therefore we need to adjust our reactions to maintain sanity and
focus.
Throughout
this book Lovely provides a compelling argument that education
leaders are trying to do too much and need to 'delegate without
guilt' (chapter 4) some of their responsibilities or learn to
say 'no' (chapter 2) when approached with additional assignments.
The advisor who feels overwhelmed at work will find that this
book is a wake-up call; Lovely offers a plentitude of strategies
to prevent burnout on all levels: intellectually, emotionally,
and physically.
An
important and often reiterated concept within this book is that
time has value and should be "preserved". Advisors, like others
within education, have many stakeholders expecting use of their
time, but, as the author illustrates, we can regain control of
how our time is consumed. She provides excellent tips on how to
do this, e.g. minimizing interruptions, setting goals, avoiding
trivial tasks and shortening meetings (chapter 3). We're reminded
of our need to learn how to use technology to our benefit, know
when to be off limits to focus on an important assignment, and
when to disconnect from work to re energize ourselves and pay
attention to our personal needs. I'll remember this the
next time one of my students follows me into the restroom to ask
a "quick question"!
Although
the author's intended audience is K-12 leaders, the work environment
issues she addresses apply equally to higher education institutions.
She provides examples of leaders who successfully implement good
practices in not only educational systems but also in arenas such
as athletics and retail. This book's simple format, brevity,
and appendices -- including the personal inventories and lessons
-- add to its appeal. Whether leading a team or as a member
of one, academic advisors who want to reflect on their work style
strengths and weaknesses will benefit from this book.
