DECEMBER 2024 SIGNALS

Hello there! As we head towards the finish of the fall term, there is no greater time to take a moment to create some margin for your team to reflect on the first half of the year. If you need some assistance getting started, check out this Reflection Toolkit. 

Have you heard of the 5-15 Tool? This is a simple, yet profound tool that can be utilized on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. In this case, reflect on the previous semester, while also considering the upcoming one.

Have your team answer the following 5 questions, taking no more than 15 minutes. Your team and organization will be glad you did.

• Accomplishments from the fall term?
• Priorities for the spring term?
• Current challenges and roadblocks?
• Lessons learned and opportunities for growth?
• Well-being check: How are you?

In the midst of looking back to look forward, learn from the future as it emerges by exploring December’s Trend Tracker and Pulse Perspectives.

In this month’s Trend Tracker, we are highlighting the following signals and trends. Within each area, a number of clickable resources are available to research with your team. 

01  Culture & Change
02 Better Teams
03 Brand Metrics
04 Teacher Focused
05 Learner-Centered
06 Rankings & Applications
07 Risk Landscape
08 Drug Trends

Trend Tracker, December 2024

Reflecting real-time perspectives representing the voices in our association, we solicited feedback from SAIS academic & division leadership in November to complete a pulse survey focused on leadership approaches, challenges, and priorities. According to academic & division leaders, 

• open communication and collaborative decision-making are approaches that are most effective when leading a team.
• 39% regularly and 45% occasionally seek feedback from the team about their leadership.
• 66% feel they are very involved in decision-making processes at their school.
• managing time and daily demands and balancing administrative duties with leadership role are significant challenges highlighted.
• conducting performance evaluations and providing feedback are top skills or competencies they would like to build greater capacity in their role.

See slide deck for full results.

Pulse Perspectives, December 2024

Take a deeper dive in the trends and perspectives discussed by registering for the upcoming webinars SAIS has designed to build capacity for you and your team. 

January 8: Streamlining Curriculum Through Storyboarding
January 16: Leading the Future — Insights for Aspiring Leaders
January 28: Practical Strategies for Accelerating Your Annual Fund with AI

As SAIS reflects on equipping and empowering you in 2025, let us know what you want more of and even share a new idea. In the meantime, reach out if we can help support your efforts to live out your mission, vision, and values.

Dr. Brett Jacobsen
SAIS President