From Rachel Toor
I’ve heard from lots of folk that a reason higher ed leadership goes wrong is because would-be leaders want a presidency—any presidency—and don’t think enough about whether it’s the right match.
Long-serving presidents seem to be people who know who they are, what they bring, and seek to work at an institution that makes sense for them. They don’t have to try to contort themselves to fit in, and they don’t seek to transform an institution to fit their needs or ambitions. They find the right match.
But there’s also the old waiting tables problem. You can’t get a job as waitstaff if you don’t have experience, but how do you get that first gig if no one will hire you?
I’ve heard higher ed observers say, “Well, first presidencies are rough.” A number of successful presidents have noted that their second institution benefitted at the expense of mistakes learned the first time around.
One former president who mentors upcoming leaders warns them off places that either have too many problems—a set-up for failure—or that just aren’t the right match.
A number of leaders, including those who have been at the same place for very, very long times, argue that part of the blame is on search firms. Most of them are just trying to get butts in the seats and don't care at all about match-making.
And yet, some search consultants do. I heard a story from a current president who had been doing something outside of academe. She got a call from a recruiter who said, “Now that your son is out of high school, maybe it’s time for you to think about a college presidency.” This leader truly hadn’t considered it.
As she was applying for jobs, one of her mentors offered some words of caution. He said, “I know you. You’re competitive. You’re going to get into this situation and you’re going to want to win. That’s understandable, and the wrong attitude. You have to figure out if it’s the right place for you.”
Because she hadn’t been set on getting a presidency, she asked hard questions of the board. She asked the kinds of things you are generally told not to ask about if you want to be successful in the search process.
That, the board chair said, is why they hired her.
Everyone says that to do the job well, you can't be afraid of losing it. And the same may be true for getting hired.
And yet, another former president who has long been authentic and outspoken says that while many institutions claim they value those qualities, in fact they don’t want anyone who will rock the tippy boat.
Too many people end up unhappy because they take a position at a place that doesn’t align with their values and what they really care about.
And we all know how that usually works out.
So, this week, we bring you some advice for those seeking to fill presidencies.
