Perpetual Uncertainty
Colleges and universities today are filled with consternation, and considering the frequent new decisions by the current president of the United States, there is perpetual uncertainty about what is going to happen now and tomorrow. Without question, higher education is going through plenty of angst about many of the new decisions by the president and his cabinet, but it is also a time to deal with the new reality and adapt accordingly.
Gary Burnison, the CEO of Korn Ferry, recently shared some informed perspectives about how we deal with situations that we are in today. As he noted, “The problem is that, whenever something unexpected happens and we feel overwhelmed, human nature tends to go to the extremes. In other words, overreacting, overcorrecting, oversteering.” Many leaders within higher education probably have much of the same reaction. But as Burnison notes, “Pausing does not mean stopping. Rather, it’s like shifting into neutral, just for a moment. It’s all about creating a space for ourselves—physically, mentally, emotionally—in which to remember and respect, reframe and refresh.”
He continues with more informative insights that are so relevant today in 2025:
“These days, 90 percent of leadership is ambiguous. Everywhere we look, there’s ambiguity and all its synonyms: uncertainty, obscurity, vagueness, doubt, puzzle, and enigma.
To lead is complex, but to lead others we must first lead ourselves. And so, we give ourselves a moment to pause. Context can be liberating.
Pausing is a psychological process—both conscious and unconscious—that allows us to find greater meaning and acknowledge what was, what is, and what will be.
Reflecting. Only through reflection on who we are and who we want to become can we offer help, elevate hope, and embrace our shared humanity.
Resetting. It starts with our mindset. We put our vision into action, and our purpose into practice. This is where our perception truly crystalizes—to appreciate what matters most.
Renewing. We are never done—we are always evolving.
There’s a real virtue here. Indeed, from time to time, we must give ourselves a pause to pick up the pieces. But ultimately, we have to move forward, shaping a journey for tomorrow that’s better than today.”
Lawlor Recommends
As we have noted previously, colleges and universities are experiencing so many impacts from being on the edge of a demographic cliff. There is the constant thinking about what matters and what doesn’t matter; lots of uncertainty and consternation; and plenty of difficult and challenging problems. Overall, continue to stay positive, embrace innovation, and have a mindset about being edupreneurial. In addition, focus on alumni and friends of the college or university, because the more they know about the institution’s situation, many will be predisposed to helping your college or university overcome obstacles and helping you create enhanced value and more longevity. No question, so much of higher education is experiencing a new set of problems and issues, but as Gary Burnison noted, continue to focus on reflecting, resetting, and renewing. We are being dealt a new set problems and challenges, but we can work together to find even more viable solutions.
