SO YOU W

ANT TO

BE

A PRES

IDEN

T? A

RE YO

U

READY?

BY B R E N D A B E C K M A N , S E N I O R C 0 N S U LTA N T

L E A G U E F O R I N N O VAT I O N I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E

B E C K M A N @ L E A G U E . O R G

READINESS C0NSIDERATIONS

Education

Experience

Psychological readiness

Philosophical compatibility

Ethical compass

Understanding of the role

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Health and energy level

Personality and style

Marriage or partner relationship

Children

Parents and other significant family members

LEADERSHIP SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Higher education leadership programs

Conferences and publications

Interviews

Practicum or temporary assignments

Specialized institutes

Lateral job moves

WHAT WOULD YOU BRING TO THE JOB?

Track record of achievement

Recognition as a leader

Strong areas of experience

Breadth of experience

High level communication skills

Interpersonal skills

THE MINDSET SHIFT

Vertical to horizontal

Silo to institutional/service area view

Doer to leader

Delegation and trust

Above details, but know what to watch

Leadership vocabulary

Big picture and futuristic thinking

REALISTIC ASSESSMENT OF ABILITIES

Areas of experiential strength

Experiential gaps

Personal strengths

Personal weaknesses

Ability to make and live with tough decisions

Background vulnerabilities

WHAT KIND OF PRESIDENCY?

Urban, suburban, rural

Single college, multi-campus, or multi-college

Reporting to board—elected or appointed

Reporting to district president

Reporting to chancellor

OPPORTUNITIES

Type of Institution, geographic location and culture

Institutional climate

Housing availability and cost

Family fit: schools, religious institutions, medical services, recreational access

Timing

How closely does your skill match the college’s challenges?

FIT

Do they really want you?

Do you really want them?

How are you treated during each step of the search process and what does this tell you about the people at the college?

Has any significant stakeholder group been conspicuously missing from the search process?

Do you feel excited or intimidated by the challenges to be addressed?

DOES IT FEEL RIGHT?