Christine Ami Thoughts about re-assessing resistance to change in academia.
Recently, I have witnessed more and more bouts of adult tantrums everywhere. They happen both in response to wanting change and rejecting change. Today, I am focusing on the rejection. Often this come from more tenured faculty and administration who sit in just below the baby boomer generation. Now before you call me an ageist or attempt to write me up for discrimination, I have had some incredible mentors who are considered “elder” who rock the change, lead the change, are the change. So, hear me out - I'm more talking about the general curmudgeon who, regardless of age or experience, find fault with anything of change. This old guard, if you will, calls out the "injustices" of the system yet simultaneously tantrum to any suggested notion of change, shuttering at the possibility of group discussions that may lead to change. They have just enough social credit to have their tantrums heard. These tantrum throwers are setting an example-- what kind of example that is... well you'll have to keep reading. Now don't get me wrong, I understand the chaos of bringing topics to groups settings... especially, let's say, with assessment, advising, curriculum interventions, ... you get the point. It’s stressful and overwhelming, and faculty often want to "just get it over with." I too, hold "old guard" tendencies to following process, policy, and procedure. Change often for me is about following policies that are already in place but that are never enforced. And instead of officially filling complaints when policy, process, procedure, and code of conduct is broken, either because we "don't want to be that person" or because our complaints are not professionally grounded, we tantrum. (Note to self, need to stop that) But what is a tantrum? I'm not the only one to notice this rise in tantrums within professional settings. According to a Workplace Wisdom Blog: "a tantrum is merely a sign that the person does not know how to self-manage or get the result they want, and it is not inherently about you or your own behavior." So when the ONE individual who continually knocks down any new idea simply because of the initiator, it is important to stay calm and remember that is not inherently about the initiator. Consistent resistance between the same faculty (typically old guard vs those who are asking about the possibility of change) is often rooted in something deeper, be it jealousy or finances, including fear related to job security by cuts in programs due to the new changes - which is also a form that green monster. There is the occasional rising leader with touches of delusion that push out tantrums from others; however, I have read that socially grounded delusion with the right team makes for magic, but there is a lot more of the egocentric delusion that lead elsewhere. However, those are blogs for other days. Back to tantrums: What do tantrums look like? Not all tantrums are screaming, cursing, slamming doors, kicking, or throwing objects - although I did have a former old guard colleague once threw his hands up, quit his subcommittee roles, run out of the office into a classroom, and put himself in a corner during a discussion brought forth about the possibility of splitting teaching assignments. That was shocking and probably one of the most blatant and extreme tantrums I have been witness to, although there are some other gems that come close. As Workplace Wisdom presents that other forms of professional tantrums include announced dissatisfaction, then withdrawal, including the reactionary quitting of responsibilities, cold shoulder to the group followed by a distressed run to bosses or higher administration to cry chaos, disorder, and victimization, all in the hope of having their way implemented retroactively. Do tantrums work? Sometimes...but here is the thing about tantrums at work (or any where really), while there may be great points brought forth in their tantrums - such as impacted workloads and stressors associated to unwritten workloads, the unprofessional demonstrations of their justifiable points become hidden behind the behavior. And when that tantrum is then supported by higher ups, it (1) teaches the individual that tantrums work and (2) encourages others to tantrum. What are the ramifications of tantrums? Remember that scenario where a peer stormed off to put himself in a corner, while maybe that was a mechanism to cool down and relieve the overwhelming stress- it certainly wasn't a profession one. I didn't know how to respond - should I have followed him?, should I have begged him to come back? Well… I did both and it was so awkward. Can you image "chasing" an elder down through the hallways to apologize for your creative approach that would cause a slight change intended for a positive student impact? It was horrible! In the end- while that outreach smoothed things over for that situation- the tantrums continued and they got bigger. It turned into he vs me, youth vs. elder, female vs. male, and even "half breed" vs. "full blood" -all from tolerating tantrums. But I was young then and I have learned that elders, well - they can have poor professional behaviors the same as anyone. Today, I do neither of those responses; rather, I situate a judgement of leadership style, something addressed in "Leadership by Tantrum." Watching any tantrum, especially in professional settings, causes my inner dialogue to peek: is this the behavior we must conduct to keep things the same or to change them? Is this tolerated behavior or is this something worthy of reprimand? And then there is the label that comes with. This is how your peers come to know you - tantrum prone, creating dilemmas with in the group including egg shell walking. We know that that peer will quit a responsibility at the drop of resistance from the group. This does not mean the resigning from sub responsibilities is always a tantrum. I have seen them done quite professionally. However, if the tantrum thrower goes to their supervisor/chair/director to demand an administrative intervention to get their way following their resignation, well my friend, that is a tantrum. During those closed door meetings, things are expressed that the tantrum thrower would never voice to the group for the sake of sounding petty and risk DHR involvement against themselves, ultimately pronouncing their tantrum further. When and if the admin do give in to the tantrum, they thwart the sense of collaborative voice of the group. Resentment sets in because the tantrum thrower has now moved into manipulation. Instead of clear communication with their peers, they hide behind systemic conditions. This leads to a whole bunch of other dissonance - including more often tantrums and more tantrum throwers. Sounds childish… well, yeah - so let’s not do that. Prepping for a big change: Thinking about this upward trend of adult tantrums, I am also aware of the massive change our institution is about to embark upon - a new president. Call me utopic, optimistic, and naive (three things that are not often applied to my description lol) as I prepare for the change that will take place with that new leadership direction, a new chapter in our institution that I am excited for, one of stability and innovation. But my realist self is also preparing for the resistance chatter that will be heard at all levels. Shoot, i may not appreciate their vision but if I decide that this is my work home, I need to enact professional mechanisms for diplomacy in change.
So I have settled in to some freelance podcasts and reading on topics of resistance to change in academia. I highly suggest the Diplomacy Master Class by Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright, - these ladies have some pearls in working with old guard/new guard, cold war, and team building that teach that diplomacy is not a chess game but rather billiards. Martha Steward's Master Class also highlights the need to avoid euphemisms such as "pivot" because people are afraid of the word change. Say what you mean - change is a good thing, even if sometimes it doesn’t turn out ideally. Here are some other resources that I found helpful . Patterns of Resistance in Managing Assessment Change Resistance to Organizational Change in Academia Five Strategies for Overcoming Resistance to Change on College Campuses The Rise of Childish Behavior in the Workplace Exploring the "Why" Behind Change Resistance in Higher Education My biggest takeaway from all these blogs and reading are: For tantrum throwers: -recognize your tantrums -develop professional coping mechanisms For those witnessing tantrums: -stay calm -maintain transparent and direct communication (no walking on egg shells for the tantrum thrower) -continue positive reinforcement with yourself and the group -document incidents. Professional misconduct, especially tantrums that lead to hostile work environments, should be professionally reported. For everyone- being passionate about a topic is important, tantrum throwing isn't. If your “passion” seeps into inabilities to calmly discuss with your peers, and leads to closed door rants that include statements such as “if it’s not broke, why fix it” or "Changing now is an inconvenience to me” or if you get too frazzled to even consider that the group may want something different from you, you probably have moved past passion and are in the tantrum zone. PS - you also applies to me - I’ve had my fair share of tantrums- but I have been fortunate for peers who remind me - if I am just going to complain, I am only part of the problem. And if you know of any more sources, put them in the comments below. Who knows... maybe this entire blog is just one tantrum ;)
2 Comments
Shazia
1/27/2025 08:34:47 pm
maintain transparent and direct communication
Reply
Suzanne
1/27/2025 10:04:08 pm
One must, of course, choose one's battles carefully. Assessment? not worth the effort (from my perspective), but the future of the college? Vital. Keep strong, Christine. Thanks for your courage in putting yourself out there with dignity and insight.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorJust a Tách'inii thinking out loud about butchering, researching, manuscript writing, and life on the Navajo reservation. Archives
January 2025
Categories
All
|