Lessons Learned through a Life Well Lived

By Dr. Hank Dunn
Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana

I think there are several lessons to be learned through the exercise of leadership. But, perhaps, these are lessons that can also be learned through a life well lived. Below are some simple thoughts about both.

First, I think it is important to live life with a certain degree of intentionality. Too many of us just “end up” someplace, not really having had a plan to get there. So, whether you want to be a leader or accomplish a goal, you will need to ensure that you are doing something proactive and meaningful in trying to fulfill that goal. Do something specific, measurable and actionable each day in order to have the career, family or life you desire.

Second, follow your own dreams. Don’t adopt someone else's dreams, whether it is a well intentioned parent, spouse or friend. The most successful people are passionate about what they do. Find something you enjoy immensely, give it your heart and you will never work at it again. To succeed means that you have given much time, thought and practice to your desired area of influence.

Third, human relations skills are at a premium in today’s society. New leaders will discover that for all their innate talents and technical skills, it will be the ability to deal deftly and easily with people that will make them and their careers successful. The ability to get along with people is a critical trait that each person should attempt to improve and strengthen on a daily basis.

Fourth, life is more interesting when lived boldly, some would say audaciously. Treat your life and your career as one large adventure. Don’t be afraid to venture into territory where you have not been before. The nature of excellent leadership is one in which the fear of the unknown, if not conquered, is at least contained. I have always lived so that when I came to the end of my life, I would not regret my life by saying, "I wish I had..." I think the same holds true for leadership. I would merely add, live it audaciously, boldly and courageously. In other words, lead, don’t manage.

Fifth, your life and your career will provide you with many opportunities to lead. Understand early and clearly, that as talented a leader as you may be or become, there will be times for you to follow. If your personality or your ego gets in the way of handing the reins to someone more knowledgeable than you on a particular subject, you will hurt yourself, the organization and your future. In the proverbial colloquialism, "lead, follow or get out of the way."

Sixth, I was told early in my career that if you are charging up a hill, and you look behind you and no one is there-you are not a leader, you are a lone eagle. Make sure that as you charge ahead in your career, that the people you are leading are actually in close enough proximity so you can see them. If you look in your rear view mirror and no one is there, there are two possibilities: no one is following, or you are lost. Neither option is good.

Seventh, every one of us will make mistakes in our career. Just as you hope that someone will grant you grace when you make an error, even a critical error, grant other people grace as well. You can never understand the power of giving someone a "bye" even when they might desire something else. You will be judged not only by what you accomplish, but by your treatment of your staff. The most loyal employees are those that understand that they can make occasional mistakes, and live! If you or your employees never make a mistake, it’s doubtful you’re doing anything out of the ordinary.

Life is made to be lived, enjoyed and savored through the experiences in your personal life and your work life. Remember to keep your balance in both worlds. Enjoy the ride.

Dr. Hank Dunn serves as Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana, the largest in the community college’s statewide network of regions. Ivy Tech-Central Indiana was recently named as the fastest growing large community college in the country by Community College Week. Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution with more than 130,000 students enrolled statewide.

Dunn joined Ivy Tech Community College in July of 2006. A dynamic educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in higher education and various business settings, he has introduced a number of successful programs at Ivy Tech-Central Indiana aimed at enhancing quality in the classroom, improving services to students and building partnerships in the community.

Dunn holds a doctoral degree in higher education leadership from the University of Florida-Gainesville and a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and an associate degree from Indian River Community College. He and his wife, Darlene, have three grown children and two terrific daughters-in-law.