What Leadership Development Institutes Can Never Teach College Presidents About Leadership

摘要

While most new presidents of colleges and universities advance to the presidency through a traditional academic pathway, an increasing number of new presidents are now coming from positions outside of higher education. Yet, regardless of how they come to the position, many new presidents are unprepared for the complex challenges they will encounter when they take on their new assignments. A large number assume that participation in professional development seminars, often promoted as institutes for new presidents, will provide the essential algorithm for a successful presidency. Operating on such an assumption may well turn out to be a fatal mistake. This article identifies areas of potential vulnerability in the presidency that cannot be addressed in professional development seminars. The article then suggests constructive ways to supplement insights gained in the professional development seminars to enable more successful college presidencies.