Renowned oil rig firefighter Red Adair once remarked, “If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur.” This powerful statement underscores the importance of expertise and experience in any role, particularly within the complex landscape of Christian higher education.
The Paraprofessional Problem
In our colleges and universities, the presence of paraprofessionals – practitioners who lack the necessary training or experience of fully qualified professionals – is becoming increasingly common. While these individuals may possess valuable skills and dedication, their limitations can manifest in various core business functions, such as marketing, enrollment, financial aid and other key leadership roles.
Identifying Signs of the Paraprofessional Problem
Signs of a paraprofessional problem may include marketing departments managing brands that fail to make meaningful promises, enrollment teams lacking coherent visitor strategies and metrics, or financial aid offices struggling with turnaround times and sales strategies. These challenges not only hinder organizational effectiveness but also contribute to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among staff.
Challenges Faced by Paraprofessionals in Elevated Roles
Elevating paraprofessionals to leadership roles poses unique challenges, including steep learning curves in short timeframes, difficulties navigating complex tasks, and struggles with decision-making. Emotionally, elevating unprepared individuals can result in feelings of inadequacy, stress, and burnout.
Consequences of Elevating Paraprofessionals
The consequences of unprepared elevation on professional outcomes are significant, with paraprofessionals often falling short of expectations, leading to diminished job performance and low job satisfaction. This, in turn, erodes trust among colleagues and supervisors, resulting in workarounds, negative team dynamics, and challenges with execution, ultimately impeding institutional progress.
Addressing the Root Causes
Understanding the root causes of why paraprofessionals are hired is essential. Factors such as immediate hiring needs, budget constraints, and underestimating the complexities of the roles being filled often drive these decisions. However, it’s crucial to recognize that failing to address these factors strategically may result in long-term challenges.
Proposed Solutions
To tackle the paraprofessional problem effectively, I propose three solutions:
1. Build Capacity to Hire Qualified Professionals: Most Christian college cabinets are too large. Instead of emulating the costly structures of elite institutions, where student-to-employee ratios are much lower, consider adopting smaller cabinets to afford stronger vice presidents. This approach ensures that the institution’s resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, promoting sustainable growth through strong leadership.
2. Train Professionals from Outside Higher Ed: Provide coaching and development programs to professionals from other industries, leveraging their expertise to address critical challenges within the institution. A successful example of this approach can be seen at Bethel University in Minnesota, which recently increased enrollment after years of decline by leveling up an external professional leader through coaching.
3. Develop Internal Professionals: Invest in the development of internal talent through tailored coaching and mentorship programs. Northwestern College’s success story, where a former associate director of communication was coached to become a successful VP for enrollment and marketing, highlights the potential for internal growth and transformation.
Don’t Ignore the Problem
The paraprofessional problem is one that cannot be ignored. Even the best strategic opportunities cannot overcome operational ineffectiveness. By understanding the root causes, empathizing with the plight of paraprofessionals, and implementing targeted solutions, Christian college leaders can navigate this challenge and pave the way for organizational success.
In Their Own Words
Hear from Christian higher education professionals who leveled up their skills through TG Three coaching:
-Written by Rob Westervelt
About Us
TG Three is a strategy company serving Christian higher education. Learn more about how TG Three can help your institution achieve a brighter future faster.
Recent Comments