- Kevin Sanders
- Mar 1
- 4 min read
March 1, 2025
Read Time - 4 minutes
The best leaders I’ve known weren’t afraid to ask for help. In fact, the higher they rose, the more support they sought. Coaching isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strategy for staying sharp, centered, and human.
“It’s lonely at the top.” That’s not a cliché. It’s a leadership risk.
A newly appointed dean once told me:
“I have 100 decisions to make and no one to process them with.”
That wasn’t a lack of competence—it was a reflection of the job.
When you’re a leader in higher ed, the stakes are higher, the politics are more complex, and the cultural impact of your choices ripples farther. But ironically, your circle of candid, agenda-free feedback gets smaller.
That’s where executive coaching steps in.
What Makes Leadership Harder at the Top?
Senior academic roles bring more than prestige—they bring isolation, complexity, and pressure. Common challenges include:
Decision fatigue from constant triage
Culture change resistance from entrenched systems or faculty politics
Burnout masked as over-functioning
Self-doubt from imposter syndrome or lack of real-time feedback
Feeling “on” all the time, even when unsure internally
Most leaders I coach aren’t failing. They’re just leading without a place to say, “Here’s what I’m really thinking.”
Coaching Isn’t for the Weak—It’s for the Wise
Think of coaching not as therapy or remediation, but as a high-trust strategy room.
A good coach offers:
A neutral sounding board without campus politics
Tools to clarify your thinking, not just your calendar
Strategic alignment between your values, priorities, and messaging
Insight into how you’re showing up and what’s getting in your way
One dean I worked with put it this way:
“I thought I needed more time. What I really needed was more clarity.”
A Smart Investment vs. the Cost of Burnout
Let’s talk ROI.
Hiring an executive coach costs less than a single failed hire or leadership derailment. But the return?
Faster, clearer decisions
Fewer people problems spiraling out of control
Increased alignment between departments, staff, and goals
Higher retention of high performers
Improved confidence and presence in high-stakes settings
Coaching isn’t just an investment in the leader.
It’s an investment in institutional health.
A Gallup study found that companies that invest in coaching and development report 11–29% higher profits
From Surviving to Leading with Purpose
Here’s what deans and provosts have shared after just a few sessions:
🟢 “I stopped trying to fix everything and focused on the work that only I can do.”
🟢 “We built a 90-day plan that got the right people rowing in the same direction.”
🟢 “I had my first honest conversation with my associate dean in months.”
🟢 “I finally felt like a leader again, not just an administrator.”
Coaching creates space for that transformation.
Coaching Isn’t a Crisis Response—It’s a Performance Advantage
If you’re already successful, that’s not a reason not to get a coach.
It’s the reason to start now.
Coaching helps high performers:
Level up their leadership presence
Anticipate problems before they spiral
Shift from reactive mode to strategic vision
Build the culture they’ve been dreaming about—but struggling to create
The best athletes in the world have coaches. Why not our best academic leaders?
Bottom Line
You don’t need to lead alone.
Executive coaching isn’t a luxury for academic leaders—it’s a lever.
One that helps you show up with purpose, lead with less noise, and build the kind of institution that reflects your best thinking.
The question isn’t whether you’re capable.
It’s whether you’re doing your best thinking in the role you’ve worked so hard to earn.
Try This Before Friday
Pick one decision you’ve been wrestling with. Now ask:
➡️ What would I say if I could process this with someone I trust—who had no stake in the outcome?
That’s the role a coach plays. It’s not about giving answers. It’s about asking better questions—so your answers come from a place of clarity, not just urgency.
👥 Ready to Help Others?
This goes out each week to leaders trying to build better systems, stronger teams, and healthier departments. If this helped you navigate your corner of campus, pass it on! 👉 Subscribe here.
Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1.) Get the free guide: Lead by Design. Put an end to reactive leadership. Learn how to clarify decisions, streamline workflows, and surface expectations—so you can fix what’s broken and focus on what matters most. 2.) Coaching for Academic Leaders: A focused 1:1 coaching experience for higher ed professionals who want to lead with clarity, build smarter systems, and stay centered on what matters most. I work with a limited number of clients each quarter to provide highly personalized, strategic support. Send me a message. 3.) Professional Development Workshops: Interactive sessions for faculty, staff, and leadership teams that help reduce conflict, streamline decision-making, and shift culture with smart systems. Virtual and in-person options available. Sessions tailored to your campus needs. |