Leadership Versus Management in Higher Education

This chapter reviews the key findings from a suite of studies of effective higher education leaders undertaken over the past 15 years. It shows the relationship between leadership and management in higher education and draws out the implications for those currently in leadership positions or anticipating becoming a higher education leader. The chapter argues that effective management is necessary but not sufficient to be identified by supervisors, colleagues and clients as an effective higher education leader; that, if our universities and colleges are to successfully navigate the ‘wicked problems’ characteristic of the age of uncertainty currently faced, they need to strategically develop a linked ecosystem of change savvy local and central leaders. The two integrating themes for the chapter are that ‘change doesn't just happen but must be led, and deftly’ and ‘good ideas with no ideas on how to implement them are wasted ideas’.