Office politics - Kai Swanson

06/01/23 • 36 min

In this episode, Kai Swanson talks about evolutionary biology and the sabre-toothed tigers of office politics. "You cannot control the weather but there are things you can and if you focus on the things you can you can address or attenuate the negative impacts of those things."

Kai Swanson
Kai Swanson is special assistant to Augustana College’s president, a position he’s held since 2005, though he's been on the staff of the college since his graduation in 1986.

He grew up in Rock Island, just across Lincoln Park from campus. His past positions at Augustana include news editor for WVIK-Augustana Public Radio, public relations director for the college, and editor of the Augustana College Magazine. In 2011, he served as interim general manager of WVIK, then in 2014 was interim director of the Augustana Teaching Museum of Art.

Kai serves on the Rock Island County Board, is president of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve Commission, and chairs the board of Visit Quad Cities. He is a board member and past chair of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education and serves on the Board Professionals Leadership Group of the Association of Governing Boards.

Resources:
Making Relationships Work at Work: A toolkit for getting more done with less stress (2020) by Richard Fox and Anneliese Guerin-Letendre

5steps to remove yourself from drama at work (TED Talks) with Anatasha Penright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYpmewVFACM

Send us a text

Kai Swanson
Kai Swanson is special assistant to Augustana College’s president, a position he’s held since 2005, though he's been on the staff of the college since his graduation in 1986.

Resources:
Making Relationships Work at Work: A toolkit for getting more done with less stress (2020) by Richard Fox and Anneliese Guerin-Letendre

5steps to remove yourself from drama at work (TED Talks) with Anatasha Penright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYpmewVFACM

Previous Episode

We all need friends - Denise and Herminio

Send us a text

In this first episode, Denise and Herminio explore the importance of having a friend in the workplace and how friends can make a difference in your professional and personal life.

Denise Nelson Nash, MFA, EdD
Denise is vice president, secretary of the Board of Trustees, convener of the IDEA Initiative, Scripps College. Denise joined Scripps College in 2013 as vice president and secretary of the board of trustees. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, she works directly with the president and board on a wide array of strategic initiatives, including the implementation of the college’s strategic plan, equity and justice initiatives, and effective board governance. Nelson Nash serves on AGB’s Council of Board Professionals and is the past chair of the Board Professionals Leadership Group. Her community service includes the board of Polytechnic School, ESL teacher and advocate, and past service as a member of the Pasadena Educational Foundation Advisory Committee and past president and board member of the Tournament of Roses Foundation. Nelson Nash earned her BA from Scripps College, MFA from the University of Michigan, and EdD from New York University.
Herminio L. Perez, DMD, MBA, EdD
Herminio is assistant dean of student affairs, Diversity & Inclusion, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Herminio Perez received his DMD degree from RSDM and his MBA in Healthcare Systems from the Silberman College of Business, Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Perez, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, joined RSDM as an instructor in 2008. In addition to his academic and administrative responsibilities, he is a member of the Diversity Leadership Council at RBHS and co-chairs sections of the Antiracist Taskforce and the RBHS University-wide Diversity Strategic Planning Process.

Resources:
Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Episode Recommendations:Denise offers 10 steps to making friends on campus:

Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Starting with those you will work most closely with, followed by those you share an affinity with, and followed by those who seem so unlike you – you may find surprises in this category.
Learn people’s names, how to pronounce them, and use them.
Ask questions – not of a personal probing nature – but work-related and if offered more personal information, such as family or hobbies, display interest.
Bring food, share food. Who doesn’t like to eat? I always ask if anyone wants anything when I make a Trader Joe’s run or I bring in snacks on just because days and always celebrate milestones.
Be positive. No one wants to be around negativity. You’ll attract more friends if you approach situations with honesty and find the silver linings – there is always at least one.
Eat lunch with or schedule coffee time with co-workers and not just those in comparable roles – go lateral, go deep.
Share information, that is not confidential, but information that would be helpful to others. In doing this, you’ll often find reciprocal gestures.
Attend work events – welcome receptions, farewell receptions, celebrations, etc. Work the room, greeting those you have met before and introducing yourself to unfamiliar faces.
Plan get-togethers outside of work, if appropriate.
Always be you – genuine and authentic.

Next Episode

Developing leaders through mentorship - Aristide Collins

Send us a text

In this episode, Aristide Collins talks about the value of and relationship between mentors and mentees. "Mentorship is foundational. It's something that we all should hopefully seek. And I think it would really make all of us better, stronger professionals and leaders."
Aristide Collins, BA, MPA, EdD
Aristide J. Collins Jr., vice president, chief of staff, and secretary of the university at The George Washington University, will be leaving his role in July 2023 to become the executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and chief of staff at Strada Education Foundation, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between post-secondary education and opportunity.
His expertise includes executive leadership in university governance, institutional advancement, facilitating and managing the implementation of the Board of Trustees, and presidential and university-wide initiatives to advance organizational priorities. These include strategic planning, administrative operations, executive search and transition, government and community engagement and relations, crisis communication strategy, leadership development, and organizational assessment and evaluation.

Respected as a credible voice in finding strategic solutions to often competing interests, establishing partnerships, and creating and nurturing relationships, Dr. Collins is also a champion for the next generation of thought leaders. As such, he speaks and coaches regularly on philanthropy, leadership, and governance for a variety of organizations.

Resources:
Workforce Coaching, Mentoring, and Counseling: Emerging Research and Opportunities (2019) by Jayaranjani Sutha
The Talent Code: Greatness isn't born. It's grown. (2020) by Daniel Coyle
The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships 3rd Edition (2022) by Lois J. Zacahry and Lisa Z. Fahn
The Mentee's Guide: Making Mentoring Work for You 1st Edition (2009) by Lois J. Zachary and Lory A. Fischler