Looking for visions in all the wrong places

1. Mission à visions are short and simple;

Neither the mission nor vision statements are simple because the ideas themselves are complex. The number of words used to depict the future the MENV program wants to build is excessive.

2. Visions capture a picture of a binary future;

Binary, to my understanding, is a world viewed in 0’s and 1’s. The mission and vision statements depict a world that has many facets and is teaching students to understand its complexities.

3. Visions are intrinsically motivating;

To be intrinsically anything, the words themselves need to be captivating and emotive. I need to be moved from the first word that I read to be motivated to continue reading. “The future is a place where only those leaders who can understand the world’s complex systems will succeed. We will create those leaders.”

4. Missions are simple rules that follow a formula;

They follow a formula that is intentionally not simple. The key words that have been chosen to fill the sentence (which is quite long BTW…) are strategically placed for readers to see what they want to see.

5. Repeatedly doing your mission should bring about the vision;

Unknown. There are very few words that are used interchangeably in both the mission and vision. Are learning and experience the same as knowledge and skills?

6. Missions à visions must be measurable;

Leadership and education are not quantifiable. However, job placement can be ;)

7. Mission moments are rare and precious;

Real-world professional experience is rarely found outside of a job or internship; since the way that students will obtain this “professional experience” is not clear, it is not known whether or not this would be a rare occurrence.

8. Mission à visions are mental models, not statements;

Does this have to do with mental floss?

9. Culture is built on shared, core mental models; and

Since the culture is built upon our professional experience and community of learning, I would say yes.

10. Learning constantly improves vision, mission, and culture.

Since the mission, vision, and culture are all three tied to learning and education, it is hard to say that learning would improve any to someone not learning with the MENV cohort. That said, if the administration learns from the cohort, all three would benefit.

Reflection:

I think what was most meaningful to me was the systems map. It is interesting to see the relationships qualified using logical reasoning, rather than quantified using an SEM or other statistical model. That said… I also learned some unintended lessons in professionalism, saving face, preparedness, and working with others in a way that capitalizes on what they bring to the table. We are all different. We are all capable. We all are in grad school for a reason. It is worth taking the time to empathize with your cohort at all times, even if it doesn’t suit you/me/us/anyone to do so.

Comments

[Jennifer Shriver]

I hope we weren't too hard to work with. or to love.

:)