Shared Leadership in Higher Education: A Framework and Models for Responding to a Changing World

Shared leadership is an effective approach for organizations facing complex challenges, as it involves multiple people influencing one another across varying levels and at different times. This book brings together the two foremost scholars of higher education, a university chancellor, and a former president to describe and evaluate the impact of shared leadership. It presents ten institutional cases, ranging from institution-wide initiatives to managing change in a college, center, and across STEM departments, and is intended as a resource for leaders at the highest levels and faculty and staff who are interested in collaborating with campus leaders on institutional decision-making.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

The challenges of modern higher education demand innovative and effective leadership approaches. In a volatile financial landscape and the face of rapidly evolving technologies, changing demographics, and emerging societal needs, organizations require leaders who can navigate complex challenges effectively. Shared leadership emerges as a particularly powerful approach in this context.

Rather than placing sole power and authority in a single leader at the top of an organization, shared leadership involves multiple individuals influencing each other across different levels and at various times. It is a flexible, collaborative, and non-hierarchical approach to leadership that fosters learning, innovation, performance, and adaptability.

Organizations that have adopted shared leadership have demonstrated greater ability to learn, innovate, excel, and adapt to the external challenges facing higher education. These challenges include the rapid pace of technological change, shifting student demographics, and the need to address societal issues such as inequality, sustainability, and social justice.

This book brings together two esteemed scholars in the field of higher education, a university chancellor with extensive experience in facilitating systemic institutional change at two university systems, and a former president of three universities who oversaw processes that led to transformative changes in institutional mission and purpose. The book is organized into four chapters that define the nature of shared leadership, outline its key characteristics, and provide strategies for building institutional capacity.

Following these foundational chapters, the book presents ten institutional cases that showcase the application of shared leadership in various contexts. These cases range from institution-wide initiatives at four-year colleges and community colleges to examples of managing change in colleges, centers, and across STEM departments. Each case provides valuable insights and practical strategies for implementing shared leadership in higher education.

By examining the impact of shared leadership, this book offers valuable insights for leaders, policymakers, and educators seeking to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of higher education institutions. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, shared decision-making, and distributed leadership in addressing the complex challenges facing the sector.

In conclusion, shared leadership is a transformative approach to leadership that empowers individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential. In the context of modern higher education, it offers a powerful framework for navigating complex challenges, fostering innovation, and driving positive change. By embracing shared leadership, higher education institutions can position themselves for success in an ever-evolving world.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642672251