We recently interviewed higher education leaders from across the UK to understand what is required of leadership in current times. Institutions are facing considerable challenges, yet the leaders we spoke to showed a deep determination to build resilience and keep delivering meaningful benefit.
Four themes emerged particularly strongly:
– the “business” elements of the Vice-Chancellor / President / Principal role have never been more important, with a fundamental need to see the institution through a lens of financial sustainability;
– in challenging times, defining vision and strategy with even greater clarity becomes essential. Leaders need to articulate their institution’s purpose and distinctiveness: what it is there to do, and what it will—and will not—do. This then provides the rationale and the framework for difficult decisions and difficult messages.
– there is a growing need to tackle historically difficult taboos around contractual issues and managing performance in a new way;
– governance is a major preoccupation. Leaders recognise the need to build close, effective relationships with their Chairs and wider boards so that their institutions can get the best from governance.
The research also considers what these findings mean for people aspiring to leadership roles in the sector—and for those responsible for selecting the next generation of leaders.
To read the full report click Leading in Times of Turmoil or find a shorter blog version on the HEPI site.