Sam Houston State University students are truly a special group – smart, motivated, service-driven – and with each graduation ceremony we celebrate their academic success. It is truly a pleasure to watch as new leaders of this great nation and this complex economy cross that stage and enter into a bright and promising future.
By graduation, we educators have done all we can to ensure that those placed in our charge have become competent and confident in their technical skills. Yet, many of us realize that the study of information and ideas is not enough to lead successful lives. Therefore, I’d like to supplement the information and ideas you will be studying and learning with some insight I’ve gained during my 30 years of professional life.
My “top ten, down home” management principles, you will notice, are human relations-oriented because I am convinced that an individual’s ultimate level of success is determined by his or her network of friends and colleagues. Technical competence is assumed, of course, but the success we all achieve, in my opinion, depends more on our people skills than on our technical skills. I certainly have not mastered or excelled at all ten of the suggestions I’m about to give, but I am convinced that they are effective and will help you reach your potential.
- Never compromise your integrity. You will achieve very little if you do not develop, nurture and maintain genuine relationships based on trust. Trust is a rare and valuable commodity that takes years to earn, but can be lost instantly.
- Surround yourself with quality people, both socially and professionally. Build those relationships and don’t waste time on unproductive, dead-end relationships. Align your relationships according to your personal strengths and weaknesses.
- Engage in a never-ending process of keeping yourself physically, spiritually and mentally fit. As you progress in your career, you will find that you expend more effort selecting, developing and serving others. Positions in upper management levels require great physical stamina as well as specialized knowledge. The higher you go, the smarter – and the harder – you must work!
- Identify role models you admire and then seek their advice and guidance; develop mentoring relationships. I’m obviously well into my career and I still rely on mentors for guidance and I enjoy serving as a mentor to selected individuals. Again, this goes back to quality relationships.
- Don’t waste time on territorial or turf wars. Be more concerned with the achievement of goals and less concerned with who receives the credit.
- Handle adversity with composure and careful calculation. An important measure of leaders is how they receive and respond to bad news. Seek to have people around you who will be willing to give you bad news as well as good. Bad news should be received gracefully and thoughtfully; and, when you must deliver it, deliver it promptly, with complete clarity, and with kindness.
- Delegate freely – then get out of the way! Again, this goes back to surrounding yourself with carefully-selected people who shore up your weaknesses but who also share your values and objectives. Again, quality relationships.
- Place yourself in winning positions and carefully evaluate your conflicts. Determine when you must win and when you can afford to lose. Don’t be afraid to let others have a victory at times. And, when you do win, do it gracefully and with compassion. Don’t strip your opponent of dignity, don’t burn bridges, and don’t create enemies.
- Always be well prepared. Do your homework and have contingency plans. Many times you will be amazed at how unprepared your competition is and how your success is due solely to preparation. Stay focused on the most significant factors and don’t get lost or wrapped up in trivial details.
- Enjoy your work, but plan for and take the time to also enjoy laughter, relaxation, family, and friends.
You have the intelligence, the preparation and the potential to move forward and to move upward; but, regardless of the level of success you ultimately achieve, you make this university very proud.
Finally, in closing, I would like to share with you one last piece of advice, courtesy of author Robert Fulghum. As you venture out into the world, please remember to watch out for traffic … hold hands … and stick together. I look forward to seeing you at your celebration of academic success – graduation. GO BEARKATS!
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We started off on August 19th with New Student Convocation to welcome you to SHSU. It was so fun and motivating! Dr. Rick Rigsby taught everyone how to “make an impact, not just an impression!” Be sure as you are starting off your freshman year, that you remember the Ozzie Smith quote from Dr. Rigsby: “Good isn’t good enough if it can be better, better isn’t good enough if it can be best!” If you have a question about something, just let us know by email or you can give us a call at 936.294.3422! Have a great year, and Eat ‘Em Up Kats!!!
