Today I made an interesting observation to a colleague. I commented that when I had gone from being an associate professor to a full professor, I had felt that I actually needed more mentoring as a full professor. When I was an associate professor the goal was clear--get the publications I need (and do whatever it takes) to be full. Once I became full, the next step was not as clear.
In a similar vein, in my position now, the first six months were characterized by just getting information. Learning. Accepting. Understanding. Taking things in. As I move forward my goals are much less clear. Now that I have settled in and put out the first few fires, what do I want to do strategically. What is the path I want to set? What really matters?
Those questions are much harder to answer. It is ironic that sometimes (to quote just the title of a book that was recommended to me by my leadership coach) what got you here won't get you there. In other words, I need to find new skills and come up with new decision making processes to get to the next level. (Perhaps a bit like Candy Crush?)
And there comes a point where others will be useful sounding boards, but I will really not have a coach or mentor. I will simply have people around me who join with me in trying to achieve and who care about my success. Some will just be sounding boards. Some will be colleagues with whom I collaborate.
We will see where this all goes.
In a similar vein, in my position now, the first six months were characterized by just getting information. Learning. Accepting. Understanding. Taking things in. As I move forward my goals are much less clear. Now that I have settled in and put out the first few fires, what do I want to do strategically. What is the path I want to set? What really matters?
Those questions are much harder to answer. It is ironic that sometimes (to quote just the title of a book that was recommended to me by my leadership coach) what got you here won't get you there. In other words, I need to find new skills and come up with new decision making processes to get to the next level. (Perhaps a bit like Candy Crush?)
And there comes a point where others will be useful sounding boards, but I will really not have a coach or mentor. I will simply have people around me who join with me in trying to achieve and who care about my success. Some will just be sounding boards. Some will be colleagues with whom I collaborate.
We will see where this all goes.
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