Right Mitch for the job?

Has Purdue found the right person for the job?
Maybe.
But some serious adjustments are ahead for Mitch Daniels if he hopes to move successfully from his role as governor of Indiana to that of a university president.
Gov. Daniels brings with him a reputation for big thinking, innovation, and a willingness to take a risk now and then. He’ll also be a sure thing when it comes to connecting with the Purdue University donor base.
But the governor also brings with him a history of top-down management. It’s not quite my-way-or-the-highway, but the governor has shown little interest in consensus building.
Instead, the Daniels approach has been to adopt a position, then sell it.
It’s not entirely clear that will work in a university setting, particularly when it comes to dealing with faculty and students, who tend to have agendas of their own.
Will he have the necessary patience? Will he be able to keep his temper in check? And will he be willing to play the role of listener as well as that of communicator?
There’s no question Mitch Daniels has the intelligence for the job. His wit and sense of humor are assets as well.
But in this case, his chances for success may depend more upon temperament than anything else. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]