Blog Post 1: Understanding the Core Principles of Waymaking

Introduction: In her insightful book, The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence, Tara Jaye Frank offers a comprehensive guide for leaders striving to foster a more equitable workplace. This blog series explores key takeaways from the book and their applications, particularly within community colleges.

Waymaker Principles: Frank’s concept of Waymaking revolves around five key principles: empathy, fairness, courage, ownership, and integrity. These principles serve as the foundation for leaders aiming to create inclusive environments.

Key Quotes and Insights:

1. “Culture is so much more than our beliefs and values. In fact, cultures exist on three levels: the claim, the policy, and the norm.”
   • Takeaway: To build an equitable culture, institutions must align their stated values (the claim) with their policies and everyday behaviors (the norm).
2. “Your values should shine from the inside—not the other way around.”
   • Takeaway: Authenticity is crucial. Leaders must embody the values they promote to inspire genuine change.
3. “Leading for all people is work—personal and vulnerable work that asks us to set aside our ‘agile and competitive’ ways for something much harder to practice and impossible to measure—humility.”
   • Takeaway: Effective leadership in equity requires vulnerability and humility, which can be challenging but is essential for meaningful progress.

Applications for Community Colleges:

• Empathy and Fairness: Community college leaders should listen to and understand the diverse needs of students and staff, ensuring fair policies and practices.
• Courage and Ownership: Taking bold steps to address inequities, such as revising outdated policies or confronting biases, demonstrates a commitment to change.
• Integrity: Transparency and consistency in actions help build trust within the college community.