Positive academic leadership recognizes that in a system of shared governance, organizational charts and chains of command are only approximations of the truth. We are all leaders in an environment rich in leadership. There are faculty leaders, student leaders, administrative leaders, leaders who hold impressive titles, and leaders who aren’t technically in charge of anything. As positive academic leaders, we don’t cringe when someone mentions motivation. We do our best to motivate others to do their best, captaining the team sometimes but also cheerleading sometimes.
Leading Like Lasso: Leadership Skills That Build and Sustain Positive Organizational Culture
On his first day coaching English football, Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, walks into the locker room with no playbook, no soccer experience, and no intention of pretending he
Deborah Erickson and Katie Fischer
September 2, 2025