DZ: You start the book with a quote from Ian Fleming: “A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.” Sounds like a great metaphor for student organizations. Why does this quote speak to you?T.J.: I just loved that quote. When people think of a horse, they think of the head, or maybe of the danger of the back end. No one thinks about the middle, yet any horse trainer will tell you that what ends up there affects the race. The same goes with a student organization. People think about the out-front leaders (the "top third") and perhaps those that cause drama and problems (the "bottom third"), and ignore the middle folks who are solid members, but not leaders. My book suggests that if you want to truly energize your chapter or your organization, you have to pay attention to what goes in the middle. A well-fed and healthy middle is the secret to a successful student organization.
DZ: In Chapter Two, you discuss how the middle third are jugglers, weighing and making decisions based upon their multiple priorities. This is often a quality we think of in student leaders, or top third. Can you share why you believe this is more of a middle third characteristic?
T.J.: Everyone assumes that the best jugglers are the top-third student leaders. They seem so busy, they must be juggling! And, many top-third student leaders do an awesome job finding balance. But I would suggest that the majority of top-third leaders are not in balance. Their leadership role (or roles) suck up most of their energy. We demand a lot from our top-third student leaders. Many sorority chapter presidents have unhealthy stress levels, a lack of sleep, an inability to maintain romantic relationships, and a tendency to overcommit. Just because someone is highly productive, doesn't mean they are a healthy juggler. This is why so many top-third leaders complete their leadership role and then go through a huge decompression period after. Middle-third members are more conservative when it comes to piling on extra commitments and responsibilities that can throw them off balance. They see the top-third members stressing out. Whether they do a good job of juggling or not, middle third members are more aware (or afraid) of the demands of being a top-third student leader, and therefore choose a less stressful supportive role.
DZ: You share multiple motivational examples in this book. Do you have a favorite? If so, why?
T.J.: I've long been on record opposing the madness of mandatory events. I believe making dozens of events mandatory is lazy leadership. Instead of making events meaningful and interesting, we just make them mandatory. I honestly believe that sorority chapters would foster better sisterhood, mental health and happiness if they eliminated almost all of their mandatory events, pared down their calendars by at least 50-percent, and made sorority membership less grueling for the average member. But, events are made mandatory by top-third members who would likely be at most things anyway. They figure if they have to be there, everyone has to. That's destructive. The average middle-third member would love to spend 2-3 nights a week doing sorority, and the rest of the week doing other things, like studying, spending time with their special person, being involved in other campus organizations, or just relaxing. When did being a sorority member become a full-time job?
DZ: We were really struck by the quote, “The idea that every member of an organization will be equally committed and engaged is a fantasy.” How has this idea affected your work with college students?
T.J.: Every participant comes to a situation with a different level of buy-in. Yet, we tend to only value those who are excited, ever-present, and fully bought-in – the ones who make us feel good with their commitment and energy toward our shared goal. Yes, sometimes something magical happens, and most everyone is highly committed. You see that in new chapters working toward a charter or in start up companies flush with cash and new employees, for example. But, in most chapters, you have members at different levels of engagement. I just don't think it's productive for a chapter officer to assume that every member's engagement can be demanded or expected. That sister who loves intramurals might really dislike ritual. The sister who truly enjoys the social events might hate the meetings. They aren't bad members for having preferences. These women can contribute in highly meaningful ways. But, to expect a sister to get completely pumped about everything your chapter does is unrealistic, and to berate and fine her for not loving every single activity is harmful to morale. Meet people where they are, encourage them to participate in as many things as possible, but give them some freedom to choose their own adventure.
DZ: You have now been a professional speaker within the college market for 20 years. What would be your biggest piece of advice to today’s college student?
T.J.: When I was in college, there was so much pressure to begin your adult life on graduation day. That has changed a lot. So many college students feel like "real life" doesn't begin until sometime after age 30. I'm sort of jealous of that. I was in a big hurry to change the world before my 25th birthday, and I didn't take enough time to explore all the possibilities in front of me. I feel that being a member of a fraternity or sorority needs to be a large, wonderful commitment – full of reward and enjoyment. But, for heaven's sake... don't miss out on the travel abroad experience, or signing up for that other campus organization, or participating in that service activity because your chapter sucks all your energy. Life is a buffet. Don't fill up on the first item. Taste everything. Have fun.
Motivating the Middle: Fighting Apathy in College Student Organizations is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Motivating-Middle-Fighting-College-Organizations/dp/1604946903.
For more information on T.J. Sullivan or CAMPUSPEAK, please visit:
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