Leadership and Management Are One and the Same

Area of Science:

• Organizational Behavior
• Higher Education Administration
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• Defining attributes of change catalysts in high-functioning organizations, including academia, is essential.
• Understanding these attributes can foster faculty interest in administrative roles and aid succession planning.
• The distinction between leadership and management is frequently debated, but arbitrary segregation may be detrimental.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the attributes of change catalysts within the academic enterprise.
• To examine the potential benefits and drawbacks of differentiating leadership and management characteristics.
• To inform faculty engagement in administrative roles and enhance organizational succession planning.

Main Methods:

• This commentary is based on the work of academic leaders in the 2015-2016 AACP Academic Leadership Fellowship Program.
• The content was developed through a collaborative process among fellows.
• The findings were presented as a debate at a professional meeting.

Main Results:

• The study highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of change catalysts in academic settings.
• It questions the utility of rigidly separating leadership and management concepts.
• The work emphasizes the importance of fostering faculty engagement in administrative functions.

Conclusions:

• A clear definition of change catalyst attributes is beneficial for academic institutions.
• Rethinking the dichotomy between leadership and management may be more productive.
• Encouraging faculty involvement in leadership roles supports robust succession planning.