I recently read an article, The Numbers Behind Successful Transformations, in which the authors share four indicators that increase the odds of successful organizational transformations (definitely worth a quick read). They argue for an approach based on data from their own research including interesting case studies and infographics. As I read through the article, I found myself adapting their examples from manufacturing and chemicals companies to my own industry, education. This is not an unusual situation. I often find myself reading a cutting-edge article about leadership, strategic growth, employee development, or innovation and having to reframe the principles to fit my field due to a paucity of accessible, evidence-based articles providing guidance for those leading change in education. One could argue this is because I’m reading articles from a wide range of sources and am not sticking with the usual higher ed sources, but this happens time and again even with pointed searches in the realm of education. Why is it that seemingly every other industry under the sun is seen as actively pursuing organizational innovation and education is left in the dust? (I do recognize there are a select few good reads out there that include a range of industries such as Dual Transformations by Anthony, Gilbert, & Johnson).
Private sector businesses designed to help organizations improve, transform, and keep up with the changing times don’t see education as a market demanding these skills. For example, the article above stems from McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm that proclaims, “We help organizations across the private, public, and social sectors create the change that matters.” The list of 21 industries they serve ranges from aerospace and agriculture to healthcare and retail. Why isn’t education viewed as an industry that might capitalize on the services such a company provides to improve organizational growth, manage risk, enhance marketing, and strengthen operations? If any industry crosses the public/private sector seeking to create change that matters, it’s education!
To be clear, I’m not picking on McKinsey. They provide valuable services to a whole host of businesses trying to meet the evolving demand of our rapidly changing world. Which is exactly what education needs to do. This is no secret to most education leaders, but the path to finding that transformational change, that recipe to ensure continued enrollment, high quality faculty, and engaging pedagogy, that path is unclear. But it doesn’t need to be opaque. The lessons gleaned through research and applied to every other industry apply to education as well. While education is a complex system with unique challenges, the same can be said about healthcare, government, and other industries. We must learn across industries. We must embrace strategic leadership that drives organizational learning and innovation. We must look outside ourselves, outside academia, and draw on the strategies and opportunities other industries have capitalized on for years.
When I started writing this post, I intended to write about the four indicators to consider to maximize the odds of a successful organizational transformation. I encourage you to check out the original article linked above, but also, to think about what it will take to get education out of its silo to learn and grow with other industries. Am I missing major components of the issue here? Do you know of management firms like McKinsey that include education in the industries they serve? Are there other groups you believe are filling this need in education? Please share your perspective. Continue the conversation. Initiate change.
Reference
Laczkowski, K., Tan, T., & Winter, M. (2019). The numbers behind successful transformations. McKinsey Quarterly. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/transformation/our-insights/the-numbers-behind-successful-transformations#0
