UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 01.14.22

Dear Team:

Given a choice, it’s pretty safe to say most people would prefer the smooth road over the bumpy road. Unfortunately, many times we may not have a choice. Circumstances change and despite the best laid plans, there are times when we simply get thrown for a loop. When the tables turn, how we react often determines if that unforeseen or seemingly negative event evolves into something positive, or just gets worse.

I recently read the winter edition of the UIUC Alumni magazine, and a couple of different articles related to the above subject caught my attention.  One was about Dr. Robert Brunner, who, among other positions, holds the title of chief disruption officer (really) in the Gies College of Business. Although it can sound frightening, Dr. Brunner says disruption is “simply change.” However, if we embrace the change and do not quickly conclude the change is bad, we can manage the disruption and perhaps turn a negative into a positive, or at a minimum, learn a valuable lesson that might serve us well in the future.

That brings me to a second Alumni article that caught my attention. It detailed the career of UIUC alumnae and Hollywood producer Lisa Hennessy who, with her partners, used the pandemic as the basis for creating a video series for prospective college students. With many colleges and universities curtailing in-person tours and travel in general being more challenging, The College Tour provides an up-close and personal look at a different school each episode through the eyes of its students, including the University of Illinois. Lisa was able to see an opportunity in the middle of unplanned and not very good circumstances.

So, can managing disruption be as simple as making lemonade out of lemons? Obviously, it’s more complicated than that, but if you fail to embrace those disruptive moments or events, you likely will miss out on an opportunity.  With a positive mindset amid disruption, you can affect its size, scale, and even create something you never thought possible.

On Monday we will be celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was not afraid of disruption and indeed embraced it for the benefit of mankind. He challenged the world to be uncomfortable and to stand up against discriminatory actions and racism in the United States. His attempt at a peaceful movement for positive change ultimately cost him his life. More than 50 years after his death, we still experience the impact his efforts made on our country and the fight for social justice and civil rights around the world. I encourage all of us to take a moment this weekend to reflect on the work Dr. King gave his life for and to challenge ourselves to carry his work forward so that his dream may someday be realized.

Have a great weekend, stay safe, and try not to let disruptions, large or small, hinder your enjoyment of having an extra day off.

Best,

Jim