Academic Leadership
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2017 June AAL Newsletter
Nine Ways a Leader Can Earn Trust
by Susan Mazza, Random Acts of Leadership, April 19, 2017
Leaders who want to earn trust should remember “actions speak far more loudly than your words,” writes Susan Mazza. She outlines nine actions leaders can take to earn the trust of their teams, including being on time, preparing for meetings, and taking ownership of mistakes.
How to Craft Meetings People Love (Really)
by Eric McNulty, strategy+business Blog, May 1, 2017
Good meetings are necessary, include only the right people, and have clear goals as far as discussion topics and information sharing are concerned, writes Eric J. McNulty. “One way to find out if people feel a meeting is worthwhile is to make it optional—and see who shows up,” he suggests.
Is Tuition Discounting Leading Some Colleges Off a Cliff?
by Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, April. 28, 2017
Does the cost of tuition discounting at private colleges outweigh its benefits? Peter Schmidt examines this question and the growing trend of tuition discounts. “From 2003 to 2012, the share that offered institutional grant aid to at least 95 percent of incoming students rose to 58 percent from 35 percent,” he writes.
Leadership Lessons from a Friend’s Funeral
by Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, May 9, 2017
You can learn about leadership in the most unlikely places, observes Rob Jenkins. While at a friend’s memorial service recently, he explains, “as I listened to speaker after speaker talk about this man and his many contributions, I began to get a better picture of his life and what made him the leader he was.”
10 Signs Your Leadership Strategy Doesn’t Work
by Laura Buckler, Lead Change Group, May 16, 2017
If your team consistently misses targets, lacks ideas and suffers from burnout, you likely need a new leadership strategy, Laura Buckler writes. “While difficult situations can be intimidating, effective leaders do not shy away from them. In fact, they face issues head on, and take appropriate action to address them,” she explains.
Overcoming the Organizational Communication Gap
by Kevin Eikenberry, Leadership & Learning, April 24, 2017
Communication within an organization is a problem that nearly every organization has, writes Kevin Eikenberry. To organizational leaders, he says, don’t assume that your people know everything that’s going on or received and understood your meaning the first time you attempted to convey a message.
2017 May AAL Newsletter
Who You Are Is How You Lead
by Jesse Sostrin, Strategy+Business Blog, March 28, 2017
No one leadership philosophy applies to all situations, so you’re better off being yourself around others and letting that drive your actions, writes Jesse Sostrin. “Increase the alignment between your values and behaviors by understanding what makes you tick—defining the specific values that animate you—then making them apparent to your clients and teams,” he suggests.
Empathy in Business Communication
by Jill Lublin, The CEO Magazine Blog, April 14, 2017
Business communications often lack the empathy needed to convince the public that a company is value-based, writes Jill Lublin. Be kind, encourage such kindness, and practice empathy in your listening.
6 Ways to Foster Leadership in Your Team
by Joel Garfinkle, SmartBrief, April. 17, 2017
A leader’s daily job is to motivate employees and inspire them to develop their own leadership qualities, writes Joel Garfinkle. He outlines six actions leaders can take, including helping team members establish relationships to get the resources they need, mentoring promising talent and advocating for the team throughout the organization.
What to Do (and Not Do) When You Really Screw Up
by Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, April 26, 2017
We all have messed up in our lives. Whether at work, personally, or most likely both, we are all human and destined to make mistakes. From experience, Rob Jenkins says he has learned a great deal about what to do and what not to do when errors happen. “Own it. When you really screw up, you have to acknowledge what you’ve done and apologize to those affected by your mistake,” he explains.
As a Leader, Are You a Fighter, Fixer or a Friend?
by Kevin Kruse, Forbes, April 20, 2017
Leaders usually lean toward one of three categories—fighter, fixer, or friend—and each comes with strengths and the danger of overuse, says Refound CEO Jonathan Raymond. Fixers, for instance, are diligent about details and small errors, but that perfectionism can leave team members feeling as though nothing is good enough.
Leadership Communication: 6 Steps to Handling Tough Conversations
by David Grossman, The Grossman Group Blog, April 17, 2017
Having tough conversations and communicating difficult topics is part of a leader’s job. But just as you plan for contingencies in your business, planning how you will communicate difficult messages can improve the ultimate outcome, writes David Grossman. “Handing tough conversations involves two aspects, crafting a clear message and having the conversation,” he explains.
2017 April AAL Newsletter
How to be a trusted leader
by Paul J. Zak, The CEO Magazine Blog, Mar. 17, 2017
Cultivating an environment of trust means challenging employees to grow while coaching them along that journey with care and empathy, writes Paul Zak. And as he notes, the case for trust in the workplace isn’t just about creating a nice environment for your employees; the effects of a trust-filled workplace have been backed up by research.
Meaningful work: What leaders can learn from NASA and the space race
by Andrew Carton, Knowledge @ Wharton, Mar. 16, 2017
It is a well-subscribed view that one of the most inexpensive and effective ways for leaders to motivate employees is by articulating a compelling depiction of where the organization is ultimately trying to go, discusses Andrew Carton. Carton analyzed reams of NASA documents from the 1960s to understand how thousands of employees with vastly different roles were able to rally around the common goal of a lunar landing.
Nine strategies for becoming a super-communicator
by Ken Cook, The Business Journals, Mar. 14, 2017
Improving communication skills requires a concerted and ongoing effort, writes Ken Cook. Among his suggestions are focusing on one or two communication ideas until you feel comfortable with them, and finding a partner to share the journey.
Four huge obstacles to good leadership
by Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, Mar. 28, 2017
Why are there so many bad leaders? From education to insurance, retail to healthcare – bad leaders can be found in every field. The problem of bad leadership stems from four root obstacles that each leader can address, writes Rob Jenkins. Here, Jenkins discusses how personal development – and not just leadership development – can help individuals become better human beings first, and consequently, better leaders.
Empowering the quiet team leader
by Ilene Marcus, Great Leadership Blog, Mar. 2, 2017
Quiet, in-the-background leaders often can be the best allies when it comes to advancing your agenda, writes Ilene Marcus. “They may not be the most authoritative or the jump starter, but they will be the anchor,” she writes.
The secret language of successful leaders
by Michelle M. Smith, ‘a’ Magazine, Feb. 28, 2017
Discovering how your employees communicate can be the key to making stronger connections with them, writes Michelle Smith. Some questions to ask yourself: Are they internally or externally motivated; risk-averse or bold; self-concerned or observant?
AAL Leaders Recognized at 10th Annual Gies Awards Gala
Dr. N. Karl Haden and Prof. Pamela Zarkowski honored for achievement at the 2017 Gies Awards Gala, exemplifying the highest standards in oral health and dental education.
2017 March AAL Newsletter
Why integrity is the foundation of a peak performance leader
by Chris McGoff, SmartBrief, Feb. 23, 2017
To have true integrity, follow through on the commitments you make without fail, writes Chris McGoff. This is essential because integrity is the building block of trust, and when trust flourishes, so do “interconnectedness, intimacy, and synchronicity.”
Communication has to be a two-way street
by David Grossman, The Grossman Group Blog, Feb. 13, 2017
A workplace with strong two-way communication requires managers to be trained and for their teams to possess a communications plan, writes David Grossman. “Measure the state of communication regularly (a survey once a year isn’t enough),” he writes.
C-suite gender gap: Leadership training efforts falling short
by Maria Castellucci, Modern Healthcare, Feb. 25, 2017
Women represent just 26% of hospital CEO positions despite holding 75% of healthcare jobs. At Fortune 500 companies in healthcare, women comprise merely 21% of executive roles and 21% of board members.
What’s love got to do with it?
by Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, Feb. 14, 2017
The word “love” usually refers to a feeling and in some contexts to a particular kind of feeling. Charity, on the other hand, is something a little different, which St. Paul describes in his iconic sermon in I Corinthians. “Charity is an action word, defined more by what we do (or do not do) than by what we feel.” Rob Jenkins discusses the importance of both love and charity for the virtuous leader.
Empathy is a simple yet effective driver of success
by Marcel Schwantes, Inc.com, Jan. 31, 2017
Research has suggested that the ability to listen and respond with empathy is a critical trait for leadership, writes Marcel Schwantes. Having more in-person conversations is a simple way to create opportunities for demonstrating empathy and building interpersonal relationships.
Listening requires more than just your ears
by Valeria Maltoni, Conversation Agent, Feb. 1, 2017
When you listen, try to understand the point the person is trying to make rather than biding your time until you can speak, writes Valeria Maltoni. To improve your active listening, she suggests taking notes while a person is speaking, which helps engage more of the senses and can lead to better retention.
AAL Launches Humanistic Healthcare Initiative for Healthcare Providers
In an effort to improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient-centered care, the Academy for Academic Leadership (AAL) has launched a new initiative providing Humanistic Healthcare programs and services designed to enhance the relationship between providers and patients. Studies have shown that patient satisfaction, compliance and outcomes can be directly
impacted by the care, compassion and empathy that patients receive from their healthcare practitioner.
2017 February AAL Newsletter
Want to be a better leader? Build your political skills
by Chad Brooks, Business News Daily, Oct. 6, 2016
According to a study recently published in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal, strong political skills, such as building connections, fostering trust and influencing others are essential qualities of a transformational leader. “Most people think of ‘political skills’ as negative; however, as Andrew Wefald, a professor at Kansas State University, writes, these skills simply “build connections with other people.”
How safe do employees feel during times of change?
by Ed Batista, EdBatista.com Blog, Jan. 5, 2017
Organizational change can threaten employees’ sense of safety, so it’s important to recognize the factors that influence psychological safety, namely, status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness and fairness, writes Ed Batista. He continues, “The best way to combat this is to build a feedback-rich culture, to make feedback less stressful, and to explicitly welcome it ourselves.”
Dr. King and the power of humility
by N. Karl Haden & Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, Jan. 16, 2017
In 1963, the imprisoned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a letter that has since come to be regarded as one of the seminal documents of the Civil Rights movement. But what was it that made his argument so powerful? “For one thing, he immediately identified a persuadable audience,” write Haden and Jenkins. “But even more important, he approached those people with humility.”
How the art of compromise has redefined my leadership
by Elise Mitchell, SmartBrief, Jan. 6, 2017
Most leaders are not the only member of a team with decision-making power, so compromise is essential, notes Elise Mitchell. “It’s allowed me to assemble strong teams, broker mutually beneficial deals, gather innovative ideas, work with dream clients and gain advantages over our competition,” she writes.
Humility – it’s more than an act
by Bernie Swain, ThoughtLeadersLLC.com Blog, Jan. 9, 2017
Humility is a key ingredient of effective and successful leadership, writes Bernie Swain. Merely acting humble isn’t as effective as being humble, however. Swain suggests practicing introspection to find the moments in life that have helped you succeed, and draw inspiration from those moments.
The ten behaviors of strong personal leadership
by Scott Eblin, EblinGroup.com Blog, Jan. 19, 2017
The strongest leaders can lead themselves as well as others, writes Scott Eblin. He offers ten behaviors he’s observed in such leaders, including self-reflection, strong listening skills and the ability to shift gears when needed.
2017 January AAL Newsletter
Make 2017 your best leadership year
by Alaina Love, SmartBrief, December 26, 2016
Reflecting on mistakes and victories from the past 12-months can help leaders set themselves up for a productive and successful new year, writes Alaina Love. To do this, examine what values have guided you, how your leadership role has evolved, and how have you shaped the workplace culture.
Fit leaders have more energy for their companies
by Yogesh Kumar, The Outdoor Journal, December 1, 2016
Staying physically fit has benefits for leaders that extend beyond personal health, writes Yogesh Kumar. “One puts in more concentrated efforts and active time and mind to work, which ultimately helps in the growth of an individual and the organization,” he writes.
Female leadership companies, employees thrive
by Alana Semuels, The Atlantic, December 27, 2016
Female leaders help drive gender diversity and wage equality, lay off fewer employees, and foster improved working conditions, according to several studies, writes Alana Semuels. Researchers hypothesize that greater empathy and patience may play a role, as well as focus on community growth instead of personal gain.
Five game-changing resolutions for leaders
by Rob Jenkins, 9 Virtues Blog, December 23, 2016
To become a better leader, you must first become a better person, writes Rob Jenkins. To do this, Jenkins provides a short list of practical, imminently doable behaviors that leaders should consider adopting in 2017. “Even if you’re already doing all of these, I suspect you could probably do better,” he writes.
Leading requires learning
by Wally Bock, Three Star Leadership, December 15, 2016
The only way to learn to lead well is by doing, writes Wally Bock. “You will not become a great leader automatically, easily, or without pain,” he notes. “If you aspire to leadership or if you aspire to be a better leader, think of it as a lifelong learning and trying experience.”
Administration 101: Deciding to lead
by David Perlmutter, The Chronicle of Higher Ed., January 1, 2017
Almost any administrative position in higher education today comes with a heavy workload and a lot of stress, writes David Perlmutter. “Don’t get into administration if your ego demands constant gratification – or even simple gratitude,” he warns.
Don’t fall behind leadership communication trends
by Noah Zandan, Quantified Communications, January 3, 2017
Data suggest that persuasive statements from the C-suite rely on intuition and emotion, accompanied by a tone that is authentic to the speaker, writes Noah Zandan. The data also suggest clarity is a good thing and can be realized even in dense financial statements, as seen with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway annual letters.
