How Higher-Ed Leaders Derail: A Survival Guide for Leaders

In higher-ed, there is a widely-held myth that the smartest person in the room should lead.

Taking for granted that someone who is smart is also ready to lead, we often fail to take steps to develop new leaders, leaving them unprepared for the challenges ahead and more likely to derail.

This is especially true now, as higher-ed leaders navigate complex challenges without a clear map forward. The tendency to fall back on tradition - to rely on "smartship" rather than effective leadership - leads to four destructive dynamics:

• The derailment of the leader
• The seduction of the leader
• Arrogance
• Micromanagement

This practical handbook explores these four in depth - their causes, early signs for detecting them in a higher-ed environment, and specific strategies for countering them.

Conference Room