As universities face growing challenges, higher education leadership plays an important role in shaping the future of institutions and their students. Leadership development programs like LEAD21 help prepare the next generation of university leaders who will, in turn, positively impact student success. By focusing on concepts such as transformational leadership, LEAD21 helps participants develop the skills needed to inspire and guide their teams, encourage innovation, and create inclusive environments. Well-prepared leaders can create stronger educational experiences, directly benefiting students and ensuring they are ready to meet the demands of an ever changing world. Based on evaluation work I conducted with several amazing collaborators I'm excited to share the results of a study we conducted a few years ago examining how participation in leadership development programs can have a measurable impact on leadership.
Key Findings
Overall Leadership Growth: Participants in the LEAD21 program reported a 7% average increase in transformational leadership skills, indicating significant personal development in leadership capacity.
Intellectual Stimulation: One of the most improved areas, with participants showing growth in their ability to challenge norms and encourage innovation.
Individualized Support: Participants demonstrated stronger capabilities in offering personalized guidance and mentorship, an important trait for emerging leaders.
Transformational Leadership Capacity: Across all dimensions of transformational leadership, the program helped participants enhance their ability to inspire and motivate others, showing the impact of the program on leadership development.
Practical Recommendations
Prioritizing Leadership Development: Universities should continue to focus on leadership development programs that build both technical and transformational skills to prepare future leaders for the complexities of the workforce, particularly in the agricultural and food systems.
Fostering Vision and Empathy: Programs like LEAD21 help leaders develop critical skills such as strategic thinking, empathy, and the ability to inspire others—skills that are essential for leading in dynamic, global environments.
Addressing Institutional Challenges: As universities face challenges like reduced funding, leadership development programs can equip future leaders with the tools to navigate these issues effectively.
Investing in Long-Term Leadership: Continued investment in leadership development programs is important to ensure universities produce leaders who are ready to meet the demands of an ever changing world.
Developing strong leadership within universities is important for creating a positive and lasting impact on students. By encouraging transformational leadership skills, future academic leaders will be better equipped to navigate critical issues, inspire their teams, and create an environment where students can succeed. Please be sure to share your insights using the comments area. I've included the full manuscript below if you would like to read more.
Lamm, K. W., Sapp, L. R., & Lamm, A. J. (2016). Leadership programming: exploring a path to faculty engagement in transformational leadership. Journal of Agricultural Education, 57(1), 106-120. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2016.01106
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