In this workshop, Dr. Robert M. Howard will reflect on his experience as Executive Director of the Southern Political Science Association since 2013, discussing some of the important lessons that he has learned through this experience and over the course of his career. Dr. Howard led the SPSA through several major policy and practical changes as well as a series of major crises (including, for instance, a series of earthquakes that rocked the conference over the course of several days in 2020, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted the Association over the course of several years). 

Reflecting on these and other leadership challenges, Dr. Howard will share some of the many insights that he has gained along the way as he led and grew the SPSA and its membership. He will discuss approaches to overcoming leadership obstacles, strategies for mentoring staff and students, working through important policy and procedure changes in a major organization like the SPSA, and important strategies for looking ahead and planning for the unpredictable. This workshop will be of great value to both academic and non-academic participants as they navigate their careers and take on leadership roles at all stages.

Outline

• Overcoming leadership obstacles and challenges

  • Setting yourself up for success

  • Building your team on and off the job

  • Establishing connections and support systems

  • Pre-planning a Plan B

• Mentoring staff and students

  • Encouraging autonomy

  • Rewarding innovation

  • Creating opportunities

• Changing policies and procedures

  • Understanding what you are working with

  • Establishing what is possible

  • Preparing to be adaptable

• Looking forward

  • What should we expect?

  • How can we prepare?