Academic Advising & Leadership

Robert E. Saggers, PhD

Session Outline

Address the following questions: Are leaders born or made? Is leadership primarily a function of one’s position? Do you consider yourself a leader? What is leadership and what do leaders do? To whom are leaders accountable? Is academic advising a form of leadership? What leadership model is most appropriate for

academic advising? What skills do advisors need to increase their

leadership effectiveness?

QuizDo agree or disagree with the following statements?

1. Leaders are born, not made.

2. Leadership is primarily a function of one’s

position or organizational role.

Leadership is the process of influencing,

either directly or indirectly, individuals, groups and organizations

toward accomplishing their goals.Based on a definition by Roach and Behling (1984)

• Shared social influence process• Purposeful• Not restricted to a person in particular• Followers are part of leadership process• Can be either direct or indirect

In light of the following definition…

Do you consider yourself a leader

in your personal and professional life?

Guiding Questions Are leaders born or made?

Is leadership primarily a function of one’s position?

Do you consider yourself a leader?

What is leadership and what do leaders do?

To whom are leaders accountable?

Is academic advising a form of leadership? What leadership model is most appropriate for academic

advising?

What skills do advisors need to increase their leadership effectiveness?

Interactive Leadership ModelBased on the work of Hollander (1978) and Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy (1993)

LeaderTeacher, Advisor

Colleague

Followers Students, Colleagues

SituationMacro/Micro

University Advising

Leadership Space & Outcomes• Results• Satisfaction

The Leader Role

• Setting the example: role-modeling, building credibility and commitment

• Communicating requirements, expectations• Gaining support and cooperation• Motivating, empowering & developing others• Tracking and managing performance• Recognizing accomplishments and celebrating

success

Leading others and managing processesto contribute to individual/organizational objectives.

Leader Accountability in Academic Advising

• Organization and your Immediate Manager – for results, modeling organizational values

• Colleagues – for sharing information, support

• Students – clarification of academic interests/goals, providing resources, advising

• Self – for personal well-being and ongoing development

Guiding Questions Are leaders born or made?

Is leadership primarily a function of one’s position?

Do you consider yourself a leader?

What is leadership and what do leaders do?

To whom are leaders accountable?

Is academic advising a form of leadership?

What leadership model is most appropriate for academic advising?

What skills do advisors need to increase their leadership effectiveness?

Servant Leadership

“Good leaders must first become

good servants.”

Robert Greenleaf1904-1990

• Originated in the writings of Robert Greenleaf (early 1970s)

• Paradoxical – both service and influence oriented, seems counter-intuitive

• Views service as an end, not solely as a means to other organizational outcomes

• Aligned with other leadership theories e.g. “authentic”, “transformational”

• Different conceptualizations, e.g. trait vs. behavioural

• Applicable across different organizational roles/types

• Context is important• Can be learned and developed

Characteristics of Servant Leaders

1. Listening – hears and is receptive to what others say2. Empathy – understands others' thoughts/feelings3. Healing – cares about others’ well-being, makes people

whole4. Awareness – understands oneself/their impact on others

and is attuned to their context5. Persuasion – influences others through clear and

persistence communication that convinces others to change

Characteristics of Servant Leaders

6. Conceptualization – responds to problems creatively, integrates presents realities / future possibilities

7. Foresight – understands how past, present & future are connected to predict the future

8. Stewardship – takes responsibility for leadership role entrusted to them

9. Commitment to others’ growth – treats others’ uniquely, helps each person grow personally/professionally

10. Building community – creates a supportive environment in which people feel safe and connected, but can still express their individuality

Guiding Questions Are leaders born or made?

Is leadership primarily a function of one’s position?

Do you consider yourself a leader?

What is leadership and what do leaders do?

To whom are leaders accountable?

Is academic advising a form of leadership?

What leadership model is most appropriate for academic advising?

What skills do advisors need to increase their leadership effectiveness?

John Dewey1859 - 1952

The self is not something ready-made,

but something in continuous formation

through choice of action.

John F. Kennedy35th President, USA

Leadership and learning are indispensable

to each other.

From a speech prepared for delivery in Dallas

the day of JFK’s assassinationNovember 22, 1963

Leadership Outcomes

Behaviours

Emotions

Leading requires

us to

feel,

think,

and act

differently.

Thoughts

Key Skills for Leadership Effectiveness in Academic Advising

Personal – self-awareness/management; curiosity, willingness/ability to learn; time/stress management; critical thinking; creativity/innovation; problem solving/decision-making

Interpersonal – understanding others; trust building; communication; gaining power/influence, motivating others; coaching/counseling; resolving conflict

Maya Angelou1928 - 2014