Managing Media Services: Theory and Practice William D. Schmidt Donald Arthur Rieck Managing Media Services: Theory and Practice William D. Schmidt Donald Arthur Rieck Chapter 2 Philosophical Perspectives ETEC 579 Dr. Jason Lee Davis Adapted from a presentation by Stephanie Crean

Objectives Describe how a personal philosophy can be useful. Describe how a personal philosophy can be useful. Describe steps to creating your own philosophy, and what traits you would want to include. Describe steps to creating your own philosophy, and what traits you would want to include. Develop your own philosophical foundation. Develop your own philosophical foundation. Describe key elements of a philosophy. Describe key elements of a philosophy.

Why have a philosophy? "If you don't know where you are coming from, how can you lead and manage the activities of others?"

Other benefits to having your own philosophy… Consistent decisions Clear set of values People have more faith in a strong vision than in conventional wisdom

How detailed does this need to be? Needs to be brief! Needs to be brief! Needs to allow for modification! Needs to allow for modification! Should be a guide to help you set policies that concern you, your boss, your clients, and staff. Should be a guide to help you set policies that concern you, your boss, your clients, and staff.

An example…(The “Freedom” Philosophy) “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “ “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “ Patrick Henry, 1765 Patrick Henry, 1765

The “Freedom” Philosophy Currently manifested as the Constitution Currently manifested as the Constitution Constantly changing Constantly changing

We live by many philosophies!

Developing your own philosophy Developing your own philosophy …problem solving approach Developing your own philosophy Identify each problem as it occurs as precisely as possible and write it down; Identify each problem as it occurs as precisely as possible and write it down; Note in outline form the major guiding philosophy of the company or institution for which you work; Note in outline form the major guiding philosophy of the company or institution for which you work;

Developing your own philosophy Developing your own philosophy (continued) Developing your own philosophy Determine what your personal philosophy is and how it relates to the institution's philosophy; Specify the mission of your unit and how it relates to the mission of the institution.

Diamond in the rough? Just as a cut diamond, a philosophy has many facets. An appropriate philosophy generally evolves in consideration of the elements of the philosophical tenets…

Tenet Number One Knowledge precedes action Knowledge precedes action “She knows her stuff” “She knows her stuff” “Be prepared”/”plan ahead” “Be prepared”/”plan ahead” Don’t learn AFTER you needed to know it! Don’t learn AFTER you needed to know it!

Tenet Number Two Be proactive Ready to take action Anticipate the future Expect “anything” Don’t try to see too far ahead… Also be reactive in matters requiring an urgent and timely response.

Tenet Number Three Never look back! Never look back! If you gave it your best shot, just move ahead. If you gave it your best shot, just move ahead. If a cause is lost, drop it and move on, without regrets. If a cause is lost, drop it and move on, without regrets.

Additional Tenets… 4. Do not avoid or put off difficult decisions! 4. Do not avoid or put off difficult decisions! 5. Communicate clearly with people above and below, but keep it simple, 5. Communicate clearly with people above and below, but keep it simple, 6. Listen, listen, and listen some more, 6. Listen, listen, and listen some more, 7. Involve Staff, 7. Involve Staff,... Stretch yourself, delegate thoughtfully.... Stretch yourself, delegate thoughtfully.

If an employee can’t agree with the philosophy, they probably won’t be comfortable in the institution that developed it. …Move along. Nothing to see here.

Finis