The Transformative State

Active, purposeful change is a profound part of me, both professionally and personally. It could be genetics, or a developed skill due to a kaleidoscope of circumstances, or (more likely) a bit of both; but I am fundamentally built to transform. It is my superpower – the reason managers want me on their team, competitors want my consultation, and most importantly my colleagues forever inspire me.

This article is not about that. If that interests you, you can read a previous article about my transformation from an individual contributor to manager. This article is about the transformative environments where I have had the courage to work and be inspired.

People force the change

You and I live in a time where we have, in our hands, all of the information... about all subjects... all the time. The size charts for every brand we want to buy, our bank account balance, competitive differences between the two schools or companies that interest us, and the profile of that person next to us at a conference. Technology is pervasive in all aspects of our lives. It is the norm.

I remember when this was starting to happen. I was working in a company servicing the retail sector. Most people did not know how much they were changing the conversation, how much power they had. It was truly exciting. My company, as well as my sister company, were in a constant struggle to keep up, always fall forward, and pivot constantly. It drove us to build a culture that was driven by our obsession with customer success.

During this paradigm shift, our customers were learning a brand new language with words and phrases like 'paperless receipts', 'omni-channel sales', 'mobile point-of-sale', and 'cart abandonment rate'. Technology, our technology, was innovating to address their pains, the services we built that supported their needs were changing, and their very own corporate job requirements were changing. It was an industry that was previously customer-led and, it was by force of technology, driving into a technology-customer-user community.

In what feels like a short period of time we reinvented the experience. Drove that experience. Consumers were not forcing it alone, we began to anticipate it. And, as that chapter came to a close for me, I became invigorated by the world of innovation, the pace of change it required. I knew that I wanted to always be on the edge of that excitement.

Undefined needs

EdTech is at a cross roads, servicing both a brand new student (the millennial) and an undefined student (everyone). Institutions are driven by the success of their students, requiring a omni-channel campus where connections and communications are modern, fast, and user driven. This is a world where it is common knowledge that college graduates are healthier and earn higher salaries. A world where I’m already talking to my seven year old about what you learn in college. A world where grandmothers are students and classrooms are everywhere.

Most campuses are struggling with the pace of change required to meet their students’ needs, and the average institution is not yet exceeding those needs. But, EdTech and the customer-technology-user community are closing the gap.

Just as retailers moved to the Cloud, EdTech is transforming. The roles of the institution are willingly changing to keep up with the growing needs of the students’ they service. Technology is replacing paper driven practices. Information is being used appropriately as prospective students curate their own future.

And, with a 40+ year old company that had no requirement to transform, I am on the edge of that innovation. This time around, I know what’s happening and I can stop more frequently and appreciate the beauty of the struggle. Together with the customer and user community, Ellucian is taking the challenge to transform institutions, and therefore individuals, their families, communities, and the greater society. I am here purposefully. We are here purposefully.

Happy pain

Meaningful change takes courage and often fills you with bumps and bruises. I am overjoyed to be working in not just a company that is transforming, but an industry that wants transformation. For someone constantly inspired by those around me, to learn from them, to grow from them, this is my happy place.

I challenge each of you to welcome transformation, to seek it out, and to see it others.