Session Narrative
Experience an impactful start to the EDUCAUSE 2024 Annual Conference with Dr. Brené Brown, renowned storyteller and leading researcher of vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. Join us in a discussion with Brené about daring leadership and how to create more courageous cultures.
Brené is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and is the host of two award-winning podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead.
Session Notes
We need to understand the stories of the people sitting in our classrooms.
Staff are held to a much higher expectation than faculty.
“You have to be fit for human consumption. And if you aren’t, that’s ok, lock yourself up. But don’t be in a classroom.”
50%+ of survey respondents indicated that they’ve experienced burnout in the last 12 months. (from Educause survey)
70% of survey respondents indicate their workload is excessive. (from Educause survey)
On finding a job within a new institution: Find the people with the least power in the institution and find out what their experiences are.
Suggestion of a question to use in interviews/interactions with new institutions: If there is something that prevents you from offering me this job, I’d like the opportunity to address it now.
There is no work, if you’re going to be on my team, that you are too good for.
Session Reflection
It was so refreshing to hear Dr. Brown speak at this conference. I’ve been interested in her, her work, and her contributions to higher education. Everything she talked about in terms of purpose, meaning, having a seat at the table, etc. really resonated with me. While I wasn’t one of the survey respondents referenced in the burnout/workload statistics, those numbers encompass many of my feelings in the recent past.
While I’m not big into reading, this fireside chat makes me want to read her books and rewatch her TED Talks.
