Leadership Definition in Higher Education

President Levin of Yale on leadership in higher education and in government.

Faculty have chosen their profession because they do not want to be managed, so how do you manage them? There is a common sense of purpose and marching in same direction--that is leadership. Job of a leader is to paint a common vision, a clear sense of direction and clear themes. Get everyone to march in the same direction. If you do not do this everything will be fractured.

Try to persuade. Not everyone will join in and support but you have to try and then move on.

Clear sense of what you need to get buy in to vision.

Realize what is important to employees and be very cautious when changing it.