Reforming the German University System: Mindful Change by Double Talk

Abstract

The concept of mindfulness can be very helpful to better understand what happens in organizational change, in general, and university reforms, in particular. The specific nature of university reforms in Germany consists of a re-balancing of irreducible functional antagonisms which has become necessary as a consequence of massive changes of societal demands directed at universities. But the constellation of actors involved in university reforms is a very difficult one. University leadership has to mediate between professors and the ministry, with both sides showing mutual distrust and contempt. To overcome this mutual blockade a special kind of mindfulness is required. University leadership has to engage in double talk to persuade professors as well as the ministry to show a proper consideration for the other side’s concerns which is the crucial precondition for a joint effort at re-balancing the functional antagonisms.