As a higher ed leader, you’re likely wearing many hats. You are an educator, an advisor, a representative for your department, a leader of a team and the university, and an external thought leader. Phew! It’s no wonder if you’re struggling to balance it all. When do you prioritize each role? And how do you […]

Team conflicts are inevitable. Trying to avoid them is like trying to never argue with your spouse. It’s going to happen, so you’re better off learning how to resolve conflicts than trying to avoid them altogether. In fact, conflict can often be healthy when approached in the right way. I’m a BIG fan of using […]

Psychological safety is essential to keep your team members engaged. It creates an environment where they feel safe to share suggestions, ask for help, and challenge the status quo. Doing this well has been proven to drive innovation, strengthen diversity and inclusion, and create happier, more productive, and more resilient teams. So leaders, take notes! […]

Congratulations! You’ve stepped into your role as a senior leader… now what? It’s normal to feel overwhelmed as you integrate into a new team and transition from being an individual contributor to a leader. This is also the time when imposter syndrome is real. You may be asking yourself, “Am I really qualified to be […]

As we get into the start of the semester, higher ed leaders are extremely busy with critical meetings, deadlines, and managing administrative staff. But don’t allow your intense schedule to deprioritize team engagement. Remember, your team IS your work – it’s now your responsibility to get work done through them! Part of the transition from […]

You might think “self care” is just a buzzword that promotes an unrealistic or selfish lifestyle where you’re always putting yourself above your work, your family, or other responsibilities. But did you know that prioritizing self care can actually make you more effective as a leader? We’re often surrounded by messages – explicit or implied […]

We’re kicking off a new semester, and you know what that means… the dreaded team building “ice breakers.” Jokes aside, welcoming back your team members and onboarding new hires is an important part of your role as a leader, and it sets the tone for the entire year. Especially if you are new to your […]

On week 1 of our higher ed leadership series, we talked about the importance of understanding your university’s high-level strategy. As a department chair or other senior leader, it is expected – expressed or implicit – that you will have a plan to move your department forward. This may seem obvious, but often leaders can […]

The start of the new academic year is right around the corner. The campus is buzzing with the excitement of welcoming new students and all the traditions that are associated with it. Before you get too wrapped up in preparing for the students, ask yourself what preparations you can make to welcome your staff back to […]

Understanding the Business of Higher Education Strategic leaders play an essential role in advancing the goals of an organization. In the higher education setting, university leaders are at the forefront when it comes to setting the direction of the school. They are responsible for establishing goals for their department, creating a strategic plan to achieve […]