Early in our careers, we both believed that educational leadership followed a particular formula. You needed to earn the right degree, hold the correct title(s), and follow a clearly defined ladder. If you didn’t see your specific skills or mindsets reflected in the leaders around you, it was easy to assume that leadership wasn’t meant for you, at least not yet.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026
