The Kardia Group

While department heads, deans, and other administrators have the resources of their role to get new things started, most exciting and creative initiatives within the academy arise from the everyday experience of the faculty - and with those faculty at the helm. Faculty initiate projects, start institutes, instigate policy changes, and foster collaborations and networks that require the support of the institution while expanding beyond the current structure of institutional resources and norms. What does it take to accomplish this?

Recognition of a Good Idea

• Be able to assess and articulate the specific need and how this idea addresses this need.
• Be familiar with faculty opinion, interest, and willingness to invest in this idea.
• Be clear on how this idea affects the various constituents of the institution.
• Be clear on how important this idea is to you, and calibrate your investment in it accordingly.

Readiness for Resistance

• Be familiar with the obstacles and challenges associated with this idea.
• Explore and understand avenues of controversy related to this idea.
• Cultivate allies, interested parties, and coalitions in support of this idea.
• Be willing to listen to criticism and take corrective actions as appropriate.
• Be committed to ongoing marketing - you have to be willing to sell the idea.

Investment in People

• Relationships are the key to successful endeavors.
• Spend time with key collaborators, allies, and colleagues.
• Investigate how this idea would affect people in different circumstances than your own.
• Cultivate buy-in from various roles and viewing points.
• When people give good advice, put it to use - especially those in decision-making roles.

Soundness of the Plan

• What resources exist for this? What obstacles will be encountered? What strategies will be used?
• Where will this idea fit within existing structures? (reporting lines, how it will affect other units, what it will need from other units, etc.)
• How will this idea be structured? How will it be staffed?
• How will this idea be reviewed and renewed over time?
• Be clear on forms and mechanisms of accountability.
• Respect and make use of the established chain of command.

Information about the Institution

• How does the budget work and how does money flow?
• Where are the lines of authority and influence?

Creative Funding

• String together small pockets of money.
• Start with a pilot version and seed money.
• Ask funding decision-makers what is needed to gain access to funds - and then do that.
• Build funding momentum.