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REVIEWS BY LYNDA WALLACE-HULECKI, Ed.D.

THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE: GOOD LEADERS ASK GREAT CHANGE LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER DANCING IN THE RAIN: LEADING
FOCUSING INSTITUTIONS ON WHAT QUESTIONS: YOUR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WITH COMPASSION, VITALITY AND
MATTERS MOST SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP ACADEMIC TRANSFORMATION MINDFULNESS IN EDUCATION
Peter Felten, John N. Gardner, John C. Maxwell Jeffrey L. Buller Jerome T. Murphy
Charles C. Schroeder, Hachette Book Group (2014) Jossey-Bass (2015) Harvard Education Press (2016)
Leo M. Lambert, Betsy O. Barefoot Leadership guru and author of more than This provocative book by Jeffrey Do you often fnd yourself bogged
Jossey-Bass (2016) 65 books, John Maxwell has contributed Buller challenges the assumptions of down in the emotional discomfort of
The Undergraduate Experience is signifcantly to the scholarship of traditional strategic planning models dealing with relentless pressures as
coauthored by educators with extensive leadership for more than forty years. and change management processes and a leader? Well, there is good news…
experience studying successful In Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, presents a new framework for viewing although everyday discomfort may be
undergraduate programs and institutions. Maxwell makes the case that leadership change and a more organic approach inevitable, Dancing in the Rain offers
They assert that creating and sustaining is a continuous journey; and to learn and to change leadership that focuses on a practical set of tools to support
excellence in undergraduate education grow as a leader, asking good questions cultivating a culture of innovation as leaders in navigating stormy weather
requires two fundamental conditions must be embraced as a lifestyle along the foundation for realizing positive, while fourishing as an effective leader
for success: (1) motivating the campus with becoming an even better listener. meaningful, and sustained change. and still enjoying the dance. Rich with
community around a student-centered In this book, readers will learn: (1) why Buller presents both a critical analysis anecdotes from his distinguished career
purpose for improving the quality of the asking great questions is so important of conventional change models and as a scholar and leader at the Harvard
undergraduate experience and (2) aligning to being an effective leader, (2) what real-world case studies to demonstrate Graduate School of Education, Jerome
organizational culture with student questions leaders should ask themselves why traditional approaches to strategic Murphy chronicles his personal journey
needs. The authors present practical and their team, and (3) answers to planning do not work in the academy; and transformation in learning to apply
guidance on “what matters most” in the frequently asked leadership questions as well as an argument for the adoption mindfulness and self-compassion
pursuit of institutional excellence with with practical advice based on principles of alternative approaches considered in pondering how to lead and live
profound optimism for the future of higher of effective leadership. The book is to be more fexible, cost-effective, in stressful times. A framework for
education. Chapters are organized around organized into two parts. In Part I, and likely to produce lasting results. fourishing as an effective leader is
core themes that provide a framework for Maxwell shares the leadership questions Buller calls for a reconceptualization introduced, which Murphy calls the
focusing on what matters most: Learning, he asks himself and others in his ongoing of change leadership, which takes an “Seven Steps of My Dance”—an
Relationships, Expectations, Alignment, pursuit of leadership excellence. In Part organic approach to “grow” change. acronym for: Mind your values, Yield
Improvement, and Leadership. The II, Maxwell offers thought-provoking As such, the role of academic leaders to now, Disentangle from upsets, Allow
Undergraduate Experience is designed for insights and perspectives in response to shifts from managing an imposed unease, Nourish yourself, Cherish
the beneft of a wide range of readers and leadership questions posed by his social top-down vision and change agenda self-compassion, and Express feelings
as a catalyst for campus-wide discussion. media followers. Memorable anecdotes that is driven by outcomes and metrics, wisely. Drawing on a foundation of
Of particular value in relation to the latter and quotes are peppered throughout to cultivating a culture of innovation modern psychology, ancient wisdom,
is the inclusion of appendices that provide each of the chapters, which lend to by focusing on people and processes. and personal refections, Murphy
a compendium of the action principles, the author’s conversational writing Surprisingly, while Buller advocates presents skill-building exercises
questions for refection, and exemplary style. Maxwell’s book is a valuable the creation of a widespread culture for translating the seven steps into
practices. The authors have also created resource for leaders at any stage of their of innovation (p.151), he is almost action. This book has been written as
a website with online resources at www. leadership journey who seek personal dismissive of the importance and value a succinct and user-friendly primer in
TheUndergraduateExperience.org. This and professional growth. With that said, of engaging institutional stakeholders the application of mindfulness and self-
book is a highly recommended read for I personally found the book somewhat other than faculty in this effort— compassion to leadership. An inspiring
leaders at all levels interested in improving lengthy and disjointed. notably students, staff, alumni, donors, and insightful book, written with a
the undergraduate student experience with and members of the community (p.23). splash of humor, that is a must read for
a “can-do” attitude and a creative eye to Defnitely a thought-provoking read for every educator daring to lead in these
the possibilities. higher education leaders at any level. daunting times.

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