In this episode of 'Pfeffer on Power,' host Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford University professor, converses with education expert and influential figure, Dr. Rudy Crew. Dr. Crew is the Clinical Education Professor at USC Rossier School of Education, and has had notable former roles as Chancellor of New York City Schools, superintendent of the Miami-Dade County School District, and Chief Education Officer for the State of Oregon. 

After having a long successful career in the education sector in these prestigious roles, Dr. Crew shares insights on navigating the sphere of power, the cost that comes with it, and the wisdom necessary to make careful choices. 

The talk explores aspects of power like ego, greed, the lure of linking to powerful individuals, and the personal, professional, and political consequences of the pursuit of power. Dr. Crew emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, maintaining humane leadership, and being observant of warning signs in a volatile political environment. 

Significantly, he stresses that ethical leadership rooted in keeping the welfare of students at the forefront has helped him navigate these challenges.

• 00:01 Introduction and Guest Presentation
• 01:53 The Price of Power: A Discussion with Dr. Rudy Crew
• 03:30 The Pitfalls of Power: Ego, Lack of Ideas, and Wrong Associations
• 05:52 Recognizing Danger Signs in Power Pursuits
• 08:03 Navigating Political Challenges in Power Positions
• 10:51 The Consequences of Tough Decisions in Power Positions
• 17:20 Avoiding the Pitfalls of Power: Advice and Insights
• 20:57 Staying Grounded in Power Positions: A Personal Anecdote
• 22:52 Conclusion and Farewell

Learn more about Jeffrey Pfeffer and his work on JeffreyPfeffer.com

Pfeffer on Power is produced by University FM.

Episode Quotes:

Lead by the kind of quality work your provide

18:25: I remember having to make budget cuts, and those budget cuts were going to be pretty deep. But there's goodwill in the culture. If there are other things that you did or have done traditionally that made people feel like this was not a vendetta, unfortunately, this was a bad fiscal year in the state of California, and we had to make budget cuts. But the fact of the matter is, there was humanism brought to the table. There was a sense of honor brought to the table. There was transparency and a sense of humility brought to this that no one enjoyed watching people walk out the door and be without a job. You can create a cultural wave of positivity and yet do some things that are very, very, very unpopular and sometimes very uncomfortable.

There’s no good deed that gets unpunished

17:05: My advice has always been, pay the price. Don't do the wrong thing, but just understand that by doing the right thing, you will still accrue a consequence. There's no good deed that goes unpunished.

Every job comes with a quid pro quo

15:57:  When you get the job, be prepared to lose the job. That would be the first of many commandments, right? Be prepared to lose it, and by losing it, I mean, it may be gradual, but the fact of the matter is every decision you make comes with a consequence, and that consequence generally is added up in political terms, and the accumulation of that is what I would say to you is quid pro quo. That is the giant quid pro quo. It's the one that you're going to ultimately pay permanently for.

Relevant Links:

• Faculty Profile at USC Rossier  
• Wikipedia Profile
• LinkedIn Profile
• APB Speakers page