Times are changing. In fact, “change” was a central theme in President Obama’s successful bid for the White House. Changes have been taking place for years throughout our society, and everyday activities, changes in personal behavior, how we dress, values, what’s important and isn’t important in the eyes of different people, the role of government and on and on.

Some of the changes may be for the better, while others are for the worse.

One of the big changes is in America’s work force, which has shifted from the traditional model of a husband being the breadwinner and the wife taking care of the home and raising the children. Starting around the time of World War II, women became an increasing and important part of this country’s work force, and today, it may be that there are as many, maybe more, households with both husbands and wives working than the old model.

The old saying, “behind every successful man is a woman,” probably is out of date and not favored by women, although just the reverse could be true in many situations. Nevertheless, this writer believes the role of a spouse, male or female, or even a partner, is extremely important and often plays a major role in the level of success of a high percentage of men and women.

This is particularly true in those situations where men and women are in executive or leadership positions where they mingle with other executives or leaders and are expected to meet and communicate with others in professional and social gatherings, where spouses can and do play an important role.

A personable, intelligent, knowledgeable spouse or partner often plays a significant role in a person’s level of success. Maybe some will say this is wrong or politically incorrect, but it’s a fact.

Those charged with conducting searches for individuals to fill important leadership positions should not only consider the qualifications of individuals being considered for an opening but also should visit with the job seekers’ spouses. One of the major changes these days is that there are fewer traditional spouses staying home. Now, they often have full-time jobs.

Kansas University officials currently are in the process of identifying and interviewing individuals from across the country to fill four extremely important positions at the university: provost (the most important academic post at KU) and deans for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the schools of law and music. This writer does not know the marital status of any of the candidates or what their spouses may do, if they have spouses.

Each of the positions calls for the officeholder to work closely with all those within that specific school. The provost deals with the entire academic community of the university. These officials will have many interactions with other deans and administrators and probably will participate in various meetings or gatherings with alumni. The deans and provost certainly will play important roles in any upcoming universitywide capital campaign, explaining the fiscal needs of their schools and the university and asking potential donors to make sizable gifts. There will be any number of occasions in which the deans and provost will be engaged in off-campus activities that include their spouses.

Right or wrong, spouses can help or hinder. It works both ways.

This being the case, and considering the importance of the four open positions at KU, it is hoped those on the search committees met and visited with the spouses of married candidates seeking the various deanships and the provost’s job.

There is tremendous competition among universities, and the quality and excellence of those in senior academic and leadership positions play a critical role in the success of these institutions. The environment the deans create within their schools and their ability, often with the help of a spouse, to enthuse alumni and friends of the school to become more active and generous all combine to improve the odds of success and excellence.

Granted, the excellence, track record, level of enthusiasm, vision, degree of entrepreneurism, personal manner, charisma, leadership skills and many other factors will determine the success of a dean or provost, but a helpful spouse is a great asset.

The right spouse can, and does, play a significant role. They can be tremendously effective sales people for the schools and the entire university.

For this reason, it is important those on the various selection committees not only sought out highly qualified individuals for the KU positions but also gave sufficient attention to the spouses.

It’s too important for the school not to take every opportunity to end up with winners, in every respect, for the current Mount Oread openings. You seldom get a second chance to correct a mistake, at least anytime soon, and in the meantime, the various schools and the entire university are handicapped in their competition with other universities.