370 Roger L. Martin: How To Turn Around A Failing Business School – Without Doing A Whole Lot Of Anything
Apr 26, 2024
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Former dean of the Rotman School of Management, Roger L. Martin, discusses how he turned around a failing business school with minimal changes. Topics include unconventional leadership strategies, promoting adult behavior to address conflicts, and innovative fundraising methods for academic institutions.
Building trust through long-term vision and economic transformation
Fostering mature interactions to reduce conflict and promote teamwork
Investing in personal connections and well-being to create a harmonious academic environment
Deep dives
Creating Economic Transformation and Retaining Top Talent
The Dean faced a crucial decision when a top professor received a higher salary offer from a US business school. Instead of immediately matching the offer, the Dean explained his plan to economically transform the school to afford world-class salaries in the future. The Dean offered the professor a choice: take the 80,000 higher salary now or wait five years for potentially higher earnings to align with the economic transformation. Ultimately, the professor chose to wait, demonstrating trust in the Dean's vision and commitment to building a stronger faculty.
Cultivating a Culture of Adult Behavior
Upon encountering a culture of infighting and intrigue, the Dean initiated a 'Campaign for Adult Behavior.' By refusing to entertain complaints behind others' backs and encouraging direct communication, the Dean shifted the dynamics towards constructive, collaborative interactions. Through one-on-one conversations and incentivizing mature interactions, the Dean fostered an environment conducive to productivity and positive relationships, reducing conflict and promoting teamwork.
Fostering Personal Connections and Professional Development
The Dean dedicated time to meet one-on-one with professors to discuss their goals, achievements, and needs. These meetings helped the Dean understand each professor's individual aspirations and challenges, fostering personal connections and trust. By investing time in these conversations and promoting faculty well-being, the Dean built a supportive and engaged academic community, leading to low regretted departures and a highly productive, harmonious faculty environment.
Simplifying Complexity in the Workplace
Roger emphasizes the importance of simplifying complex workplace processes by challenging traditional norms and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy. He encourages adopting a simplicity mindset by questioning existing practices and seeking straightforward solutions. Roger's approach involves demystifying entrenched workplace myths and regulations to drive efficiency and effectiveness
Embracing Simplicity and Authenticity in Leadership
Roger advocates for embracing simplicity and authenticity in leadership by avoiding unnecessary complexity and bureaucracy. He shares the value of cutting through red tape and tedious protocols to achieve swift and impactful change in organizational practices. Roger's emphasis on clear communication and genuine interactions underscores the importance of staying true to one's unique leadership style and fostering a culture of simplicity and authenticity.
This week we’ve got a special episode, a longer one than we normally do. But when you have an opportunity, to talk to the person who built the Rotman School of Management into the powerhouse it is today, you have to use every minute you get.
Roger L. Martin was told that the Toronto’s Rotman School wasn’t worth his time, that it was a quote – cesspool of intrigue. Roger himself will say that he didn’t do much in his 15 years as dean, just tinkering and prodding. He’s a bit of an understated enigma, as you’ll soon find out. But when Rotman’s prestige today ranks up there with Stanford and Harvard, you can’t really argue with his results.
There’s so much to mine in this conversation, we thought it would be a shame to cut it down and fit it within our normal episode length. If you have the time, I’d love for you to give it more than just one listen.
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