A Call for Organizational Change: Building a Culture of Innovation and High-Velocity Decision-Making
Higher education is at a defining moment. Across the country, institutions are confronting the reality of an unsustainable business model, public skepticism about the return on investment, and the rapid erosion of traditional funding sources. At the same time, the institutions that will thrive are those bold enough to reimagine their cultures, embrace accelerated decision-making, and empower their people to lead at every level.
As leaders, we are called to transform our institutions and drive change deep into the organization. To bring this kind of growth mindset to our people, we must break away from the mantra "this is how we’ve always done things" and instead champion a high-velocity, adaptable culture that embraces creativity and experimentation. In this shift, executive presence and influence are critical—how we show up, communicate, and inspire action will define whether others follow and believe in the path forward.
In this interactive session, we’ll introduce transformative practices designed to shift how you tackle problems, generate meaningful ideas, and build bridges across your organizational units. Now is the time to move away from a consensus-driven model that often slows progress and dilutes bold thinking. Instead, leaders must cultivate the skills of influence and executive presence — showing up with clarity, confidence, and the ability to mobilize others around a shared vision. Innovation isn't just about chasing shiny new objects; it’s about creating the conditions where people are empowered to act, take risks, and follow through on transformative ideas with greater velocity.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize how to foster an ambitious, resilient, and change-oriented climate.
Elevate executive presence and influence in your leadership competencies.
Bring commitment-building language that drives accountability across teams.
Speakers
Howard Teibel, President of Teibel Education Consulting
Lupe Valencia, Senior Associate Vice President for Business Affairs at University of Texas El Paso