Interview Two with Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell

Today on Start The Week With Wisdom, we’re talking to Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell. Having spoken to Mr. Sorrell last Spring, we’re checking in to see what has gone right and what has gone wrong during the course of this pandemic. Mr. Sorrell says that no matter how well prepared anyone thought they were, no one was fully ready to understand the emotional toll of leading in a pandemic.

Mr. Sorrell doesn’t know that the pandemic has necessarily made him a stronger leader, but it’s made him a more honest leader. He stressed being candid with staff about being exhausted and at your wit’s end. It gave others permission to be human in a season that may just be about getting through. Having the strength to sustain a high level of performance for an extended amount of time comes down to why are you here? If you’re just here to check a box, you won’t have as strong a drive as someone that is there for a cause, for something bigger than themselves. Mr. Sorrell says we don’t have the luxury of not performing for underprivileged students, and it should be an honor to serve.

Last semester 90% of Paul Quinn students were working 40+ hours a week in addition to their studies. Among that 90%, only 42% came back this semester. Mr. Sorrell says it has nothing to do with no longer being interested or not capable, it’s simply not sustainable with everything going on. One thing Mr. Sorrell thinks is important is to not give students a false sense of hope, don’t make promises you can’t keep. He refers to the book ‘From Good To Great’ about General Stockdale that was a POW, and how he persevered. Other prisoners were holding on to hope for release by a specific time, and each time that date came and went, it cost them emotionally. The emotional toll affected their health and led to death. General Stockdale never questioned that he would be free at some point, but he also was realistic about his lack of control over when. Much like this pandemic, having false hope for an end will just defeat you each time that finish line moves. We need to hold on to the fact that it will in fact end at some point, but we have no control over when.

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