What is courage? Aristotle described courage as the mean between cowardice and rashness. He believed that because human nature tends more easily toward cowardice, we should lean slightly toward rashness in order to achieve balance. Yet Aristotle also emphasized that courage cannot be defined in the abstract; it must always be understood in the context of a particular situation. Moreover, no two situations are identical. Therefore, what counts as courageous will differ from ca

There are many strategies, models, and schools of thought regarding decision-making. Yet it may be best to begin by identifying the wrong ways to make decisions. In my experience, there are at least three clear ways a leader should not use to make decisions. A. Dogmatically or Authoritatively. Possessing the authority to decide does not, by itself, justify making it. Nowhere is the adage “might does not make right”  more relevant than in leadership. In logic, one of the first

Vulnerability can mean many things, but here it refers to the willingness to reveal one’s weaknesses or limitations voluntarily. This can feel risky because it exposes us to potential judgment or rejection. When we open ourselves up, hoping for empathy, we may instead face ridicule or dismissal, so it is no surprise that many people avoid being vulnerable. In professional settings, admitting a lack of knowledge or skill can seem especially dangerous, as it may appear to threa

Excellent communication is often understood as the ability to write clearly and speak persuasively. Both are essential to leadership. Writing allows us to articulate our ideas with precision, while speaking gives us the power to inspire, persuade, and lead others. Yet, the most fundamental and often overlooked form of communication is active listening . Listening well requires humility, patience, and attention, qualities that many leaders find difficult to practice consistent

The Greek word for virtue, areté  (ἀρετή), means “excellence,” “goodness,” or “fulfillment of purpose.” In Greek thought, virtue and excellence are inseparable. The Latin virtus —from which we derive the word virtue also means “excellence” or “skill,” as in the term virtuoso , someone with exceptional ability in an art or craft. So, what does it mean to be excellent? What should we strive to be excellent at? And what if we never become “the best” at anything? Does that mean

The word integrity  comes from the Latin noun integritas , meaning “wholeness” or “completeness.” One way to understand integrity, then, is as the state of being whole and consistent in our thoughts, words, and actions. As individuals, we live rich inner lives filled with ideas, feelings, values, and principles that we try to live by. All of these exist in our minds, private and invisible to others. No one can truly “see” what we think or feel except ourselves. We express our

Leadership, first and foremost, must have a clear vision of where it wants to take the organization. This requires a deep understanding of two key elements: the industry in which one operates and the nature, traditions, and politics of the institution itself.  In higher education, the context matters profoundly. It makes a significant difference whether one is leading a large state university or a small private liberal arts college. The economic forces shaping these instituti

To build a collaborative team and establish an ecosystem that supports both short-term performance and long-term growth, excellent...

In higher education, leadership isn’t just about solving today’s problems. It’s about stewardship—making decisions that safeguard the...

Reasonableness requires a commitment to evidence-informed decision-making and respect for open, civil dialogue, fair deliberation,...

I have served in higher academic leadership for over 20 years. During this time, I’ve learned a great deal about leadership—through experience, reading numerous books, attending conferences and workshops, and overcoming a variety of challenges as a leader. I’ve encountered many excellent leadership theories and strategies, many of which have helped me grow and succeed as a leader. Leadership is a deeply complex endeavor, one that can be approached from a variety of perspectiv

The word confidence  originates from the Latin root fidere , meaning “to trust,” combined with the prefix con-  meaning “with” or...

Humility does not mean devaluing yourself or degrading your worth. Quite the opposite: humility requires recognizing your incredible...

“Trust is the foundation of any thriving culture. It’s what allows people to collaborate, innovate, and bring their best selves to work...

The development of excellent leadership can be approached from several important perspectives. One essential perspective emphasizes the...

To be authentic means to be your true self—to resist the temptation to become someone you are not. Some say we should “fake it until we...

This year I am teaching a First Year Seminar course for the first time. It is only a 1 credit course and we meet once a week. About sixty...

“Trust is the foundation of leadership. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you .” Sheryl Sandberg  (COO, Facebook) In my view, trust is foundational for success in any organization. Unfortunately, higher education suffers from a trust deficit . Not only has public trust in higher education suffered in recent years, but students also seem to lack trust in higher education administrators, including presidents. Why is this important? Trust has been positively linked