Education Quote by Otto F. Kernberg
““self-protective withdrawal from candidates who are perceived as particularly privileged or untouchable, and “compassionate graduation” of inadequately performing candidates who have remained in training for many years are other typical symptoms of the failure to invest adequate authority in the faculty body.””
About This Quote
The quote warns that avoiding privileged candidates and gently removing underperformers signals a lack of real authority in faculty governance.
In simple terms: Avoiding certain people and weakly dismissing others shows weak faculty power.
Key Takeaway
Ensure faculty have clear authority to manage candidates.
Themes
leadership
authority
faculty governance
performance management
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
diagnostic
observational
When to use this quote
- academic committees
- faculty hiring
- performance reviews
- training programs
Key Concepts
organizational hierarchy
power dynamics
institutional accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can faculty balance authority with fairness?
- What structures support decisive yet compassionate decisions?
A Different Perspective
If authority is too centralized, it may stifle diverse perspectives.
