The cabinet will engage a definite leadership style that includes a set of expectations for us as individuals and for our work together. These expectations guide the work of cabinet members all the time – as we work alone, with others on and off campus, or as a group.
The leadership style of the cabinet is based on relationships, both to each other and to the university. The basis of these relationships is one of support – support for each other and for the university.
Although the entirety of this style encompasses more than a simple list of behaviors, the following core expectations and responsibilities guide us in our work.
- We repeatedly affirm among ourselves that diversity of thought, dissent, and alternative ideas are valued and encouraged.
- We approach each other as equal-status peers; in that each member is expected to share his or her thoughts openly without deferring to perceived authority.
- All members have agreed to effectively work together to maintain positive individual and group relationships during and between meetings.
- We try very hard to be sensitive to the challenges each one faces, and to examine issues from this reciprocal understanding.
- Members are expected to participate in deliberations about all topics, which means that every topic of consideration is owned by all of us.
- We expect our conversations to be forthright and with full disclosure, but also with understanding and respect for each other.
- All of us take responsibility for distinguishing when ideas, opinions or conclusions should be shared only within the cabinet; these instances usually concern issues of personal confidence or when deliberations are preliminary.
- We all take the responsibility to identify important issues that would benefit from the attention of the cabinet.
- As a group, we seek to consider issues in a manner that efficiently facilitates the most productive outcomes.
- We recognize there are times when our individual opinion does not prevail, and compromises are made for the benefit of the university or particular programs.
- We agree, as cabinet members, to help facilitate the implementation of decisions in a manner consistent with these core expectations and responsibilities.