Finding Your Tune

Please read this  Download SSRN-id229931.pdf and then come back.

Thank you!

This paper was written by Robert F. Bruner, Dean of the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia.  Is the anecdote that Robert leads his paper with precious or what?  To those of you who are not teachers, I bet you couldn't help but to substitute your present position for that of teacher.  I couldn't. 

Here are a few words extracted from Robert's work:

That teaching should be the hidden dimension in a summary of professional work is curious.

Finding the tune in teaching should be a matter for both individual candidates and institutions. 

An excellent vehicle for this is the teaching portfolio...

It surveys teaching assignments, philosophy, style, accomplishments, innovations, and evidence of teaching effectiveness.

...and perhaps argues for better work to come.

So, what is your tune?  What is that internal tune, when deployed, makes you most effective?

Robert's blog
Robert's home page
Robert's teaching portfolio paper: Download SSRN-id230099.pdf
Robert's paper are logged with the:  Social Science Research Network  (more resource info than you can use)

Robert's home page is a blueprint (or most excellent idea) for personal branding.  If you have an opportunity, scope out the information contained in his Resource section.  And, if you are not a teacher, pretend that it is directed to you, a biz coach, a marketer, a manager, a designer.

I attempted with this post to move away from our biz-as-usual world. That Robert is Dean of the Darden Graduate School of Business, keeps us in the same solar system but offers an alternative perspective.

Comments

[Steve Sherlock]

Dave, excellent find. The timing could not be better for me. I just got my annual review this week and while it was "good", it was not the exceptional one I was expecting. It did not reflect the work I did. The major issue was I had a change in direct managers during the review period, something a portfolio would have helped. No excuses on not knowing the details of what I did before "his" time with me. It would be in black/white (or color) in front of him.

[dave]

Steve - Robert lists his own portfolio in the Resource section on his personal site. Check it out for ideas. While it seems like a lot of work to create a portfolio, the intrinsic value might just trump the finished product.

[dave]

Steve, one more thing. The point about arguing for better work to come; What a perfect opportunity to market one's self!