- Kevin Sanders
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
Updated: May 25
April 6, 2025
Read Time - 3 minutes
The truth is, most higher education leaders weren’t trained to lead.
You were promoted for your scholarship, your teaching, maybe your research—not because someone taught you how to manage people, build systems, or navigate campus politics.
And yet, when you step into leadership, you’re suddenly responsible for all of it:
Conflict
Budgets
Committees
Program growth
Cultural change
All while trying to stay connected to your academic identity.
It’s a heavy lift. And most of the time, you’re asked to figure it out on your own.
Why this matters for you
Leadership in higher ed isn’t just about knowing what to do.
It’s about knowing what to focus on.
But when you’re pulled in a hundred directions, it’s easy to stay stuck in reactive mode—putting out fires, answering emails, attending meetings—without making real progress.
Leaders don't lack talent or work ethic.
The challenge is that:
You’re juggling too many competing priorities
You’re managing tasks instead of building systems
You’re asked to lead, but rarely given tools or support
You’re trying to do it all without a trusted partner to help you think clearly
Leaders thrive when they’re strategic with their time, their energy, and their focus.
That’s exactly where coaching comes in.
My turning point
When I first worked with a coach, I wasn’t failing—I was just stuck in the weeds.
I was working nonstop, but not on the things that mattered to me.
I tried to fix every problem, I kept every plate spinning, and, eventually, I realized:
I was managing tasks, not leading change.
Coaching gave me three critical things:
Space to step back and think strategically
Tools to build systems that lightened my load
A thought partner to keep me focused on what truly mattered
That’s what coaching can do.
What Is academic leadership coaching?
Academic leadership coaching isn’t therapy.
It’s not consulting.
It’s not a lecture.
It’s a collaborative partnership designed to help you:
Clarify your leadership priorities
Build systems that reduce chaos and create consistency
Navigate conflict and decisions with more confidence
Prepare for your next leadership opportunity
Stay aligned with your values—even when the work is hard
But most importantly?
Coaching helps you direct your attention to the work that matters most.
The bottom line
Leadership doesn’t have to feel like survival mode.
You deserve support that’s practical, personal, and growth-oriented.
You don’t have to go it alone.
Give yourself the space and structure to lead with clarity and intention.
That’s what coaching is for.
✅ Try This
Take 5 minutes and reflect:
Where in your leadership are you operating on instinct alone?
What might become possible if you had a coach in your corner?
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.