Substance Over Style

Empower Your Evolution as a University Leader

Substance Over Style: A Field Guide to Leadership in Higher Education examines the increasingly complex challenges and opportunities facing higher education leaders in today's highly polarized society. This practical field guide offers insights, lessons learned, and strategies to navigate future challenges successfully. Take a deep dive into the inner workings of universities and explore the intricate landscape of nuance and complexity of leadership substance rather than style.

This book is for: A must-read for aspiring and experienced university leadersA transformational journey for faculty, staff, graduate students, and trusteesA road map for future higher education leadersInspiration for the next generation of thoughtful academic leadersA deep dive into the world of academic leadership and the inner workings of universitiesAddresses attributes indispensable to building a meaningful and impactful career in leadership

This book will help the reader: Grow your confidence, skills, and purpose as a leaderObservations, insights, and lessons about leadershipEmpower your evolution as a leaderExplores the challenges and opportunities facing higher educationLearn about the nuance of leadership substance over styleServes as a "compass" steeped in experience offering guidance and directionLearn to "think like an ecosystem" and extract clarity from complexityLessons about decision-making, collaboration, and continuous improvementPractical strategies for planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and fundraisingChallenge the status quo --- mobilize the community to pursue bold aspirationsBring leadership to life --- shape your career, values, and institutionIn-depth guidance for fiscal management tying strategic planning to the budget

Whether you are faculty, staff, a graduate student pondering leadership for the first time, or a trustee or experienced administrator exploring new leadership roles, Substance Over Style will empower your evolution as a leader.