Keeping FIRRST Things First: The Delicate Dance of Leading Online Innovation at Your Institution

Abstract

Perhaps one difference between managers and leaders is that the former play the hands they are dealt while the latter exert their influence to make changes for the better (i.e., innovate). In this chapter we address the need for online education leaders to keep their organizations nimble to respond to changing institutional realities as they choose when to adopt a new technology/resource called for by others and when to initiate change themselves. This involves understanding the status quo at one's own institution while also staying current on developments in the broader online education community. Leaders must read the signs of the times and position themselves accordingly to exert positive influence on their institutions through their organizations. We ground our discussion within a framework called FIRRST, which is an acronym describing a set of principles that have proven to be effective in helping online higher education leaders make strategic decisions. FIRRST can serve as a useful heuristic for all those who must cultivate innovation in their eLearning contexts.