Meet Rand Park! He’s a senior lecturer in the Department of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, and he joins us this week to share his insights into how extraordinary teaching and authentic leadership can lead to both transformational learning and leading. 

Our discussion is threaded through with the importance of self-knowledge and authenticity at work. Rand talks about how he learned to “be himself” in the classroom, and we explore the challenges of “being yourself” in leadership roles — which is part of the journey both of us have taken in deciding *not* to pursue college presidencies.

My favorite part of this conversation is where we explore the tensions leaders face in decision-making. We talk about how leadership decisions set the tone for entire organizations, how empowering it is to grant autonomy and ownership to faculty and staff, and the importance for leaders to build up a strong and diverse team. 

Whether you’re an educator, a leader — or BOTH! — this episode is for you.  

Readings & Resources

Books we discussed and recommend in the episode:

Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. Lee G. Bolman  &  Terrence E. Deal.

Nudge. Cass R. Sunstein  &  Richard H. Thaler.

Reframing Academic Leadership. Lee G. Bolman & Joan V. Gallos.

Inciting Joy. Ross Gay.

Teaching & Leadership: other episodes you might enjoy

How Teaching Prepares You For Leadership. (episode 53)

The End of Alpha (Lessons for Leadership from Dog Training). (episode 9).