Leadership and Budget Cuts

Steven Sample’s response to “Searching for the ‘Perfect’ University President” compared an individual’s wanting to be president and wanting to do president. This is a big distinction in leadership at any level. Many people want the prestige, the glory, and all the other “perks” of being seen as the leader. Sample argues that not all of these people want to do leadership things. Leaders often have to make hard and stressful decisions, decision that conflict with what they see as their identity. Bennis takes a very existential approach to identity. He explains a way of self-knowledge that is dynamic and always changing with the choices and experiences. Wanting to do leadership can have a big impact on shaping identity.

Recently President George Philips announced the University’s plan to cut three language programs, as well as the theater and classics programs at UAlbany. These cuts have not been received lightly. Ffaculty, students and people across the country have been weighing in on the decision. This decision, I hope, was not an easy one for the University and the President to make. Was it necessary? Some argue that a research university with the motto “The World Within Reach” should not elimate programs in the humanities. An article in the Times Union suggested the University should amend the saying to “The World We Deem Necessary Within Reach.” Was this the most transparent decision, no. Is this the best move for the university, we will have to wait and see. The fact is these are the decisions leaders have to make. They are the same decisions that many people would never want to have to consider. Facing budget cuts and limited resources, a good leader can see past picking and choosing who is going to suffer the cuts. A good leader sees decisions that need to be made and suffers the consequences. These are the kind of decisions that every leader has to be ready and willing to make, and in searching for a good leader groups must be willing to see through who wants to be leader and who wants to do leader.