Doug Hastad
President, Carroll University
100 N. East Ave., Waukesha
Industry: Higher education
Employees: 485 full-time faculty and staff
www.carrollu.edu
Doug Hastad is president of Carroll University in Waukesha. Leaders should be proactive in addressing small changes while also thinking long-term, he says.
“An acknowledged reality in today’s world is that the only constant is change. This is particularly applicable for leaders whose organizations are routinely subjected to scrutiny and influence from consumers, media, employees, regulators, government agencies, etc. Suffice to say, the changes that organizations experience are driven by a multitude of internal and external factors.
“Admitting that change is a constantly moving part of our organizational culture is one thing; however, responding to it with creativity and timeliness is something we need to master. An organization’s ability to transform long-term and adjust quickly will greatly improve your chances to advance your business amidst change.
“There is no element of an organization that is exempt from this process. Transformative initiatives are usually large in scale and long-term in implementation. They take many forms, such as renovation or construction of new facilities, significant alterations to workplace policies or key components of a strategic plan.
“Leaders who are proactive in identifying small adjustments that can be made daily have the ability to positively impact their organizations on a regular basis. Easy changes that are implemented quickly will demonstrate your ability to listen and react to an evolving landscape.
“As leaders, it is our responsibility to continually monitor the pulse of our organization and all of its stakeholders. Inevitably, we will learn of opportunities that require transformation or adjustments. Handling these changes in a timely manner will show that your organization pays attention to the expectations of those you serve.”
