Leadership – “A process by which a person influences others to accomplish an
objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent”
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www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html
Strengths
1. The major strength is Tim Pierson in his openness, straight forwardness, good
communication skills and he is an active listener. He is the strength; he determines his
tenure about the broader picture of the University.
2. I would list him strong as to openness of new ideas. There are a few blind spots, it can be
easy to say “that’s not how we do it here” but he is good with that.
3. One of the great things that Tim Pierson has done the last two years and he has put out a
list each year of expectations not just university expectations, but Student Affairs
expectations such as, expectations of respect, how we are going to return messages, he
gets everyone to look at it and at a following meeting we sign off and agree.
4. Tim Pierson serves as good model; we work together, not against each other.
5. Tim Pierson respects the division, he keeps everyone in the loop and he is approachable.
He likes to check in with people. He cares about his subordinates and I think the
disrespect at divisional meetings should be addressed.
6. “I don’t accomplish any of this without the help of my excellent staff.”
7. Tim Pierson takes into account how much other departments do for the overall student
affairs department.
8. Everyone is reminded that what they do is very important.
9. “I would hope that my staff would feel enough confidence to tell me something
important” “It’s essential in establishing trust and confidence.”
10. I can call Tim Pierson anytime I need to talk. He is always open to any suggestions or
ideas she may have. He’s approachable and reachable.
11. Tim Pierson lets everyone be informed on things that are happening in the department.
12. Tim and I talk everyday “kissing cousins”. He is always approachable; does well with
communicating along the board.
13. He is very open; he’s a big picture, I’m systems. He likes to process and I’m quick to
jump the gun. He’s egoless – always gives credit to where it’s due. Has a real pulse with
students and very hands off – not a micro-manager; he’s got a lot of balance.
14. He will listen and meet with people
15. Tim’s strength is letting us know what he knows. We’re really good at letting him know
what he needs to know and we probably give him too much info
16. Big Bird keeps everyone well informed. Full staff meetings very beneficial
17.Onie and Tim Pierson meet weekly to bring info from various divisions. Tim makes sure
divisions know what’s happening in the “cabinet,” this info is very helpful, he is very
open to feedback and comments from divisions about cabinet issues, They both make
sure there are clearly communicated opportunities for development and growth within the
organizations
18. He is great at recognizing accomplishments and giving positive feedback.
Weaknesses
1. He is limited in what he can accomplish outside of his office. Some responsibility to him
is able and willing to recognize new ideas and stand up for them.
2. Tim Pierson allows for disrespect toward himself. He doesn’t acknowledge it and lets it
slide. Tim Pierson should address it when it happens, and nip it in the bud. They are
usually joking jabs that go unrecognized.
3. Tim Pierson realizes conflict, but doesn’t address it directly.
Information Load – Amount of information being received
Overload – Receiving too much and/or too frequent amount of information
1. Weakness because he puts too much detail and I feel that he tells things that we aren’t
supposed to know.
2. She thinks students surveys are over used
3. That we don’t get quick responses when everything is piling in at one time
4. Within RCL number of emails (approx. 30-40ish emails on a good day) between emails
and meetings it’s challenging to keep up with things and have a response time that is
appropriate. Same email issues with Student Affairs specifically
5. Can be frustrating with extra meetings and such
6. Would prefer that for little things (such as hey, let’s meet to chat about this) be phone
calls
7. RCL great at communicating issues in housing or anything like that. “It’s better to be
over informed than under informed”
8. A lot of chatter when the floor is opened up to the whole group.
Optimal load – Receiving the correct amount of information
1. Student Affairs make sensitive who needs to know what when.
2. Full knowledge of what’s going on.
3. Definitely lots of good information.
4. Everyone knows what’s going on and everyone gives the same answers to questions
5. Breaking up into smaller groups and each group presents ideas together instead of just
people giving their opinions individually.
Communication Flow – “The direction messages travel through the networks in an
organization”
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www.jyu.fi/viesti/verkkotuotanto/ci/glossary.shtml
Or Google search: definition of communication flow
Upward – Communication from subordinates to superiors
1. My communication with the president is important on how I communicate with everyone
else.
2. Open access to whomever I need to communicate with.
3. Elsie and Tim Pierson are very easy to get in touch with and do not have to wait long
periods of time to speak to either one.
4. I meet with my advisor every other week (one on one), but we serve on committees
together so I see her more than just every other week.
5. Meets with Tim Pierson a lot “42 x’s a day”, Larry Robertson, Matt McGregor
6. Open communication with immediate supervisor and others in office. Lots of verbal faceto-face within her office
7. everyone knows who to contact and everyone has same info
Downward – Communication from superiors to subordinates
1. Tim Pierson has Director Meeting every week and overall staff meetings that keep
information flowing internally and he is good at bringing in bits of information that the
rest of the organization should know.
2. We communicate multiple times a day sometimes. He has the ability to be able to
communicate on business and personal issues, and there is a freedom of information
flow.
3. “I was so thankful that they had enough confidence to come to me and tell me that”
4. Glad I have enough trust within my department for my staff to be able to come to me and
tell me their problems/issues.
5. Gives feedback to other members in the department lower than her and always asks for
honesty among her fellow staff members.
6. I want everyone’s input on something before making a final decision on anything.
7. I meet with staff regularly once a week and have a staff meeting every Tuesday.
8. He will take calls
9. I consult with Angela or REC’s for decisions that need more attention
10.Everyone knows who to contact and everyone has same info
Uses & Effects of Technology – How one in the organization uses a form of
technology in a group setting and how it effects themselves and others.
Pro’s
1. No issue with iPads in meetings.
2. Doesn’t bother me. I set expectations and have talked with staff. The electronic needs to
use the device strictly for the meeting. Do not use for anything else, but note taking only.
Sometimes appropriate with iPad when pulling up websites for examples or other things
such as that.
3. It takes away from paper use. If you’re talking about something you can easily pull up the
website and discuss it. I use it for LSEM with attendance, grades, to do lists, send
messages to myself so that I am aware of things that I need to do.
4. Doesn’t distract her “when you are there; be present”
5. She uses her iPhone and iPad because its efficient and she likes to take notes on it
Con’s
It can take away from your attention, even if you don’t realize it.
If all of your focus is on the iPad you lose the content of the meeting.
There is a barrier with people who do have them and with people who don’t
A little distracting, iPads are annoying; she “knows” feels people are probably not really
looking at notes/taking notes for that meeting if they have their iPads at. Some people are
truly looking things up. “Perhaps it is wrong of me to assume people aren’t taking notes
on them.”
5. If the meeting is primarily about a conversation to engage in discussion I would say “lets
agree and drop the electronic device”
6. There is a barrier with people who do have them and with people who don’t
7. The expectations of the technology are not clearly defined
1.
2.
3.
4.
Neutral
1. Students say its fine and have no problem with it. In the department it may create
weirdness since not everybody has one
2. It’s their own opinion, but if they don’t want people to use those iPads during meetings I
am going to wonder why? Sometimes they are misused. If they are not allowed for that
certain meeting it should be notified beforehand so they can plan accordingly.
3. Administrative doesn’t have iPads. I may use if I had one.
4. Electronic devices can be helpful, and do have a place but also can still be distracting
5. “I don’t. I have an iPad but I don’t use it” some people do use iPads but we still use
printed agendas and we don’t get them ahead of time