SuperVision

The students and faculty of DePauw University are in for a treat.  Bob Steele's moving to Greencastle to teach and research.  Let me tell you now that he'll do something else:  he'll lead.  You don't have to ask him to.  It's just his nature and his gift.  And he'll lead in the ways that work best - not by decree, not by making people feel inferior, not by pulling rank.  He'll lead because people choose to follow him.  (Just ask any of us who joined the Poynter faculty because he encouraged us.)

Why do people choose to follow someone?  Here are some reasons, and they all apply to Bob:

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  Steele Hired by DePauw University, By Karen Dunlap Thoughts on My New Job, by Bob Steele Announcement by Depauw ___________________________ Learn more about leadership in one of our seminars. Read Leading Lines, a regular Poynter Online column about leadership. To sign up to receive Leading Lines by e-mail, click here.

  I follow you because of your expertise.  Bob's depth of understanding of media ethics is extraordinary.  From his reading, his research and his continuing education in news organizations, Bob's wisdom is legendary.  Note that I say "wisdom" - which means more than just knowledge.  To me, wisdom is knowledge in context, in practice and in service.  That's Bob.  Further, he groomed others so he'd never be irreplaceable.  He's proud of Kelly McBride, Poynter's Ethics Group leader, whom he recruited to Poynter.  The best leaders share knowledge and power so others can step up.
  
  
• I follow you because of your integrity.  Bob tells the truth.  He's unafraid to speak it to power. When critical of journalistic misdeeds, his focus is on guiding principles, not on personal attack.  He's quoted widely, but doesn't seek the spotlight.  He's comfortable in front of a crowd, but just as easily takes a background role.  He takes excruciating care to keep appropriate  confidences and avoid any possible conflicts of interest.  He knows that the ethicist is often like the pastor - always expected to walk the talk.  His walk is straight and true.
  
  
• I follow you because of your empathy.  Bob takes care to see the world through the eyes of others.  As anyone who's come to him for advice knows, he asks questions - loads of them - in the hope that he will understand a situation, the players and the principles - before offering his point of view.  In fact, he's happiest when people craft their own decisions, using insights gained from a conversation.  In a classroom, it is hard for people to think they're unimportant to Bob, because he has the uncanny ability to memorize names and faces.  Even when he drops into a seminar to teach, he's studied the bios of the participants and incorporates nuggets about their lives, hometowns, alma maters or newsrooms into his teaching.
  
  
• I follow you because the work is better when you're on the team.  I've had the joy of putting programs together with Bob - both at Poynter and in newsrooms around the country.  Whenever I'm teamed with Bob, I know he'll do more than his share.  He'll raise the quality, add fresh ideas, shoulder his chunk of all tasks, and make it fun at the same time.  Innovation doesn't catch fire without collaboration.  Collaboration doesn't succeed without shared values, a sense of purpose and a willingness to learn together and from each other.

Bob's new role at DePauw is a wonderful opportunity for him and his terrific bride, Dr. Carol Steele.  She's going to be the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs - a perfect role for her many talents.  There's no way any of us who love them could have argued against it.

Fortunately, Poynter's President, Karen Dunlap, exercised wise leadership, too.  She found a way to make it a win for all of us by keeping Bob well-connected to Poynter.  The Institute wouldn't be the same without him.  Now it won't have to be.  He'll keep leading us - and we'll follow, wherever his home base might be.