Frequently Asked Questions
Are there books to buy or required reading?
No. You will be provided handouts, which we will complete together in class.
Will there be homework?
No, other than applying what you learn on the job as you see fit. No homework, no papers, no grades. We designed the training to be painless, inviting, and fun.
Will the training cover primarily theory or practical applications?
We think both theory and real world experiences are valuable, but we leave theory to university (for-credit) courses. We will discuss practical approaches to common situations.
How large will the classes be?
Unlike offsite training often conducted in crowded hotel meeting rooms, most SIUE modules will be limited to 18 participants. If over 18 people sign up, we will try to add sections, offer the module again later, or both.
What will the training sessions be like?
These topics come to life in small group discussions—not in lectures. We will learn from each other. You will be invited to think for yourself and decide what works best for you in your situation. The sessions will be interactive, thought-provoking, and as close to fun as we can make them.
Do I have to take all of the modules to participate?
No. Choose the modules that interest you.
A low-performing supervisor works for me. Can I send him or her to this training to be “fixed”?
We welcome everyone interested in learning and in improving their performance. But this training is not for everybody. People who are not open to new ideas and to change are unlikely to benefit from the program and may hinder the experience of others. So please send only those who want to attend.
Has the training been vetted?
Yes. We piloted the training before the pandemic, and it received excellent evaluations. In addition, all modules were endorsed by respected SIUE leaders over several years. For participant feedback, please see the Testimonials tab.
Is the training relevant to our situation in public higher education?
Yes. It was developed by a 24-year veteran of SIUE in consultation with ten SIUE leaders.
If I have specific questions related to my situation, will you address them?
Absolutely. We will discuss all relevant questions in class.
Why don’t you just tell me the big secret of leadership so I don’t have to go to the classes?
“The Big Secret of Leadership” is clickbait for countless websites. But leadership is hard. There is no big secret. Many small discriminators distinguish great leaders from others. We’ll talk about some of them.
What works for one person won’t work for everybody. We’ll discuss options, and we may have recommendations. But we are not in the business of telling you what to believe. We hope you will consider alternative views, but we encourage you to form your own opinions. There is rarely “one right answer” to leadership issues, and your best action depends on your situation, your goals, your worldview, and your experiences.
Who will facilitate the training?
Dave Heth, retired SIUE Finance Director. Please see the Facilitator Bio tab for more information about Dave.
