Session Type: Interactive Roundtable Accepted by MIG(s): Time Allotted: 75 Description: Recent examples of the Toyota recalls, the Iraq Invasion and the current US health care debate, illustrate leadership challenges faced when a clear compass direction encounters a changing environment. The interactive session engages participants in discussion of when the environment requires the trade off between the compass and the weathervane.
Abstract: Many leaders perceive their direction clearly and seek to press on in a direction despite opposition and changes in the context within which they are operating. Other leaders have a tendency to pay very careful attention to various aspects of the environment and make frequent changes in response to environmental changes.
Using the recent examples of the American health care debate, the Invasion of Iraq and the Toyota response to safety and quality issues, participants will be invited to comment on the degree to which each case study illustrates a leadership response that is clearly articulated and followed (illustrated by the compass)or one which is constantly changing (illustrated by the weathervane).
The session facilitators will engage the participants in a dialogue regarding the appropriateness of the direction taken at critical points and if the selection of these decisions was predetermined by the compass direction or reflected a changing environment which dictated a change.
A framework for decision-makers will be discussed using a sailing metaphor. After this, participants will be provided with additional case studies and asked to discuss these in light of the decision-making framework.
The last segment will be questions and answers and conclusion by the facilitators. Charles A. Perkins, New Jersey Superior Court, Law Division Essex County
Bio: A Naval Academy Graduate, served as the operations officer for a multinational task force in the Persian Gulf, as a surface warfare officer aboard the USS Gary homeported in Japan, and as an instructor at Surface Warfare Officer School in the International Division. Mr. Perkins recently received his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University, and is currently a law clerk in the New Jersey Superior Court.
Anne Skleder, Cabrini College
Bio: Anne A. Skleder is Provost at Cabrini College. Previously, she served as Dean, Chatham College for Women and Professor of Psychology at Chatham University. Prior to this, she was a member of the faculty and served in various administrative capacities for 16 years, including Vice Provost, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management, Department Chair of Psychology and Director of the Honors Program. She received the PhD in social-organizational psychology from Temple University, and a BS in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has presented and published in a number of leadership areas, including strategic planning and leadership education. She also served on the Board of Directors at Leadership Berks, a leadership development program for five years and has consulted with not-for-profits about leadership development and strategic planning.
Charles Perkins, Point Park University
Bio: Dr. Charles Perkins serves as Point Park University's Provost. Dr. Perkins teaches in the University's School of Business. Dr. Charles Perkins holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from George Washington University. He also completed the Harvard Business School Program for Management Development. Dr. Perkins served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Alvernia College from 1997-2006. He served as Chair of the Department of Business and Economics and Dean of the Division of Professional Studies at Missouri Western State College from 1991-97. At the United States Naval Academy, Dr. Perkins was Acting Dean for Faculty and Finance, Financial Manager for the Division of Mathematics and Science, and Associate Chairperson of the Economics Department from 1982-1985. He received the "Clements" award as the Outstanding Military Educator in 1985.
He completed a 20-year naval career as a Naval Supply Officer in 1991, and enjoys sailing.Return to complete program |
