- Kevin Sanders
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Updated: May 25
April 27, 2025
Read Time - 3 minutes
In most institutions, change is hard.
Because you’re not just shifting a process or updating a policy.
You’re asking people to think differently. To teach differently. To behave differently in a system that’s built on history, autonomy, and tradition.
Whether it’s a new degree program, a community initiative, or a shift in departmental priorities, academic leaders often assume a good plan is enough. But when the plan meets resistance, progress stalls—and leaders start to second-guess themselves.
That’s the problem this post addresses:
How do you lead cultural change in an environment that doesn’t want to be led?
Why Most Leaders Get Stuck Trying to Do It Alone
Cultural change matters because the stakes are high.
The changes we’re talking about—structural, behavioral, cultural—are what shape the student experience, faculty satisfaction, and institutional relevance.
Most leaders try to solve it through logic, authority, or experience.
They write a compelling email. They present a detailed plan. They make the case clearly and repeatedly.
Sometimes that works. But when it doesn't...
Resistance sets in. Progress slows. Tensions rise.
That’s because most change efforts focus on process—but people are what actually move change forward. And most leadership development programs don’t prepare you for that human side.
Coaching Helps You Lead Cultural Change from the Inside Out
This is where leadership coaching shifts everything.
Coaching isn’t about solving your problems for you. It’s about helping you see clearly, act deliberately, and lead in a way that builds trust—even when the work is uncomfortable.
Here’s how coaching helps academic leaders lead cultural change more effectively:
Reframe resistance as feedback
Coaching helps you see resistance not as sabotage—but as data. It gives you space to ask, “What’s beneath this pushback?”
Refine your communication strategy
A coach helps you translate change into language that resonates—emotionally, practically, and politically.
Clarify your leadership role
Are you directing, supporting, empowering, or blocking? Coaching helps you identify your posture and adjust it with intention.
Build coalitions instead of compliance
The most successful leaders in higher ed don’t lead alone. They create alliances, invite contribution, and model vulnerability. Coaching gives you the space to plan that work with purpose.
Stay aligned with your values when things get hard
Change is uncomfortable. Coaching grounds you in your core values so that your leadership remains steady when the room gets noisy.
Take These Steps to Lead Cultural Change More Intentionally
Want to lead cultural change more effectively? Here’s where to start:
✅ Pause and reflect: What’s really getting in the way of change right now? The plan—or the people?
✅ Ask better questions: Who needs to be heard before this moves forward?
✅ Find a thought partner: If you’re shouldering the work alone, it’s time to bring in a coach who can help you see more clearly and lead more calmly.
✅ Focus on process, not just policy: Change that sticks comes from how you lead, not just what you decide.
✅ Reconnect with your purpose: Before you push forward, revisit why this change matters—and who it serves.
Whenever you’re ready, here are ways I can help you:
2. Subscribe to The Academic Leader’s Playbook - Every Sunday, I share one actionable and practical insight designed to help campus leaders save time, manage effectively, and focus on what's important.
3. One-on-One Coaching - Need a thought partner for the real-world challenges of academic leadership? I’m an ICF-certified coach with 20 years of experience helping higher ed professionals cut through the noise, lead with confidence and build systems that work. I work with a limited number of leaders each quarter to ensure they receive a personalized focus - contact me for availability.
4. Workshops - I lead interactive workshops that build faculty and leadership skills—with practical tools your team can apply immediately. Each session is tailored to your campus needs and designed for real-world impact.