Photo credit: www.higheredjobs.com
Valentine’s Day is often celebrated among loved ones, but it’s also an opportune moment to extend gestures of appreciation within the workplace. This thought was sparked by a marketing email I encountered recently, encouraging readers to acknowledge kindness in our professional environments.
This notion resonates with ideas I discovered while listening to the HigherEd Heroes podcast, hosted by Seb Kaempf and Al Stark. The show features innovative educators who are reshaping teaching methodologies and driving student success. It’s essential to recognize that the title of “hero” isn’t limited to faculty; every member of a campus community has the potential to contribute positively to student experiences.
The practice of showing appreciation and recognition isn’t novel. An article from Harvard Business Review identifies it as a key characteristic of high-performing teams. Since a college or university operates as a large team, collaboration is crucial for its overall effectiveness.
Today is a perfect opportunity to express gratitude to colleagues. This celebration serves as a vital reminder of the importance of uplifting those around us in various departments who are making significant contributions.
Furthermore, it’s equally important to acknowledge and appreciate our own efforts, regardless of how small they may seem. The daily grind of our roles — the hours, compensation, challenging interactions, and overwhelming workloads — can sometimes cloud our perception of the impact we are making. While these details warrant consideration, stepping back to evaluate our work through a broader perspective can be beneficial. Have you made a difference in a student’s life recently?
Student success and retention are fundamental to the overall effectiveness of a college or university, deeply intertwined with the student experience. It’s vital to consider whether students receive the support they need, both academically and personally. The ultimate answer is found in the assortment of experiences they encounter on campus and their interactions with various individuals, from maintenance staff to faculty and advisors. It’s easy to remain within our specialized roles, but truly understanding the student experience demands recognizing how all components work together — or fail to do so — to achieve positive outcomes that institutions can celebrate.
Who are the unsung heroes within your campus or professional network? Reflect on what you or your colleagues are doing to innovate and enhance student life. Share these success stories widely; they are crucial reminders of the impact and purpose behind our work. Take a moment today to express appreciation to someone, or even to yourself.
Source
www.higheredjobs.com