Becoming a Visionary:

An Interview with Robert Daly

Amita NaganandCalifornia State University, Northridge

Robert DalyUniversity of California, Riverside

Interviewing is part of the IR Professional’s Skills Tool Box

• Builds interpersonal skills

• Builds communication skills

• Improves ability to think

dynamically

?What does it mean to be a

visionary?

What does it mean to be a visionary?

• Look to the future decisions to be made• Think creatively• Provide actionable intelligence• Share your success with key stakeholders.

Can only IR Directors and above be visionaries?

Can only IR Directors and above be visionaries?

• People at all levels can be visionaries.

Why do IR professionals need to be visionaries?

} Data reporting is good enough for me.~

Why is it IR professionals who need to be visionaries?Because they have knowledge of :• Overall institutional data• Changes in technology• User needs from operational

units

They may also have good working relationships with leaders of operational units.

Are small or large IR offices

better suited to become visionaries?

} I can barely keep up with my everyday work!~

Are small or large IR offices

better suited to become visionaries?

• Large offices may need to automate.• Small offices may need to delegate.

Why change if top management

is content with historical data reporting?

} The senior management doesn’t really want change.~

Why change if top management

is content with historical data reporting?

Do what needs to be done first, but also introduce new ideas in small steps – for example, additional content or a more effective way of doing things.

What skills are important

for being a visionary?

} I am a techie andI like being a techie.~

What skills are important

for being a visionary?• Interpersonal skills – take the trouble

to invest in relationships with all levels.

• Think creatively– understand the key problems and decisions, and think of dynamically of creative solutions.

• Communication skills – communicate good solutions.

How can IR Directorsput their staff on the

path to be a visionary?

} All we want is stable jobs with very good pay.~

How can IR Directorsput their staff on the

path to be a visionary?• Model being open to ideas• Model being open to change• Model sharing success with

others• Provide opportunities to grow.

TakeawaysInterview Technique

• Identify a research topic that taps a critical problem.

• Imagine the main outcome from an interview (purpose).

• Find an interesting person to interview.

Useful “How To” References on the Interview Technique

Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2008). InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Rubin, H., & Rubin, I. (2004). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.