Rock Chalk Jayhawk

I met a friend for dinner last week. He was fall-out-of-his chair excited to tell me about the alumni event he had attended.

I met a friend for coffee last week. She was fixed-firmly-in-her-chair less-than-excited to tell me about the new job she had started.

I heard all about my friend’s old roommates - their bonding over orientation, their sharing of bunk beds, and their reliance on the dining hall's honey mustard.

My friend did not have an orientation process. She had no one to show her the ropes and felt a bit lost in her new environment.

He had professors who mentored and nurtured his abilities. One professor showed such a personal interest that he took many more classes with the professor and ended up majoring in the subject.

My friend’s boss was not clear about his expectations and did not seem to care much whether my friend would be successful at the organization. There was always someone else who could come in and do the job if she did not succeed.

Throughout dinner, my friend talked incessantly about his love for his alma mater, about the great work the school does for its students academically and socially, and about how anyone given the opportunity to attend should not think twice before accepting the offer. He wears sweatshirts and hats with the schools insignia (a bit too often if you ask me). He is, without realizing it, a walking endorsement for the college.

My friend has talked with me, and other friends, about how she has not enjoyed her time at her new organization. She suggests others should think twice before joining a similar type of organization. She is, without realizing it, a walking negative advertisement for the organization.

While considering my two friends experiences in parallel, it occurred to me that what colleges and universities do so well is exactly what so few organizations do well.

Colleges and universities work to develop and grow a positive rapport with its students from the first day of orientation through the first request for alumni donations. The result is a group of individuals who are passionate about their alma mater and who are eager to help make it the best.

Organizations work under the assumption that if an orientation is not in place, no harm will be done. If a new employee does not have a mentor, no major damage will result. What organizations are missing is that not doing harm and not causing damage are not the same as getting the most from people.

My friend proudly wears his college sweatshirt and will do anything possible to ensure his alma mater remains one of the finest institutions around.

My friend leaves at 4:59, to exit promptly at 5:00, and is sure that there must be a better organization around.