August 29, 2017
Answers to Some Questions
Whenever a leadership change occurs, people often wonder about the new leader. It is a deep rooted concern that goes back to our elementary school days:
• What will the new teacher be like?
• Will they be as mean (nice) as people say?
• What will their rules be?
• Do you think they will allow fidget spinners in class?
Of course, since I was selected to be your Associate Director for Extension, direct and indirect questions have been asked to or about me:
• Will he be like Daryl?
• Will he be like Gregg, the Assistant Director for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development (ANRCD)?
• What does he like?
• What does he dislike?
Let’s address the first three. The last we will save until next time.
Will I be like Daryl? How can I be? Daryl is Daryl. I am Gregg. He is tall. I am not. He likes bad coffee, I love good coffee. We are both passionate for our mission and profession. We are also both alike in our concern for the people we serve and our colleagues (to be interpreted as both Extension professionals and volunteers). Nevertheless, our backgrounds and experiences differ, which means that our reasoning and decision processes are not quite the same. In short, Daryl’s and my “Why?” will always be pretty close to the same. The answers to the corresponding “How?” and “What?” may differ depending on the issue at hand.
Will I be like Gregg the former Assistant Director for ANRCD? From a fundamental perspective – I sure hope so. I will still be approachable. I will still be a listener. I will still try to be a good coach. I will still solicit input and feedback from colleagues. I will still advocate for our system, profession, colleagues and the people we serve. The context of my position, however, has changed. The scope is broader. The responsibility, accountability, and authority are higher. More and more complex decisions will need to be considered and made. Despite this, you will hopefully see the same Gregg but in a different light.
What do I like? I will interpret this question as “What do I look for in a colleague?” I like colleagues who are:
• Deeply concerned with helping the people we serve achieve their goals through our research-backed educational resources and programs;
• Committed to the idea of developing an expanding base of lifelong learners who desire our research-backed educational resources and programs;
• Inclusive with regard to both the people we serve and our team of colleagues;
• Respectful of the Extension Workers Creed and Talbert’s The Extension Workers Code;
• Mindful and attentive to their duties as an Extension professional;
• Open minded;
• Team players who respect their colleagues within and out of their office;
• Proud of the entire K-State Research and Extension system and our profession; and,
• Eager to see the entire K-State Research and Extension improve, grow, and flourish.