#111 vs. what?

Many people incorrectly believe that because a new semester has started, my work slows down a bit. Actually, the reverse is true. Because the enrollment numbers are now final, there is a slew of reports to complete, analysis to be done and attempts made at understanding enrollment patterns. This month is actually one of the busiest of the year.

None of the numbers mean anything unless they are put into context by contrasting them with something else. Knowing that headcount is X means little unless you understand how that compares to budget projections and how that number contrasts with last year. Having the enrollment-by-major is just data; it doesn't become information until there is something to put it into context with another comparable statistic. Too many times reports are presented that only have one number without a reference point, and it does little to advance understanding.

The same concept is true with qualitative concepts. One of the most profound questions I was ever asked was "How do you do your job differently than others with your job?" This led to a robust discussion about how my student life background influenced my enrollment work, which led to a reorganization on campus and infusion of new objectives. Travel also serves as a contrasting data point of how life is "different" in Place X vs. the things we take for granted in our hometown. People record steps toward goal achievement for the same reason: Did I gain or lose since last time I stepped on the scale? Did I run more or less (or faster or slower) than in the last outing?  

Try to cultivate the habit of asking questions or presenting information in a context vs. in isolation. I'll bet that your understanding will be much more robust.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com