Tuesday Readings
Leading IT Integration in Higher Education: Lessons from 12 Universities
At a recent MOR roundtable, leaders from twelve universities shared differing experiences integrating IT. Here are thei…
Leading Strategic Change: The 5 P’s in Action
The 5 P’s – Purpose, Picture, Plan, Part, and Practices – provide leaders with a practical roadmap for guiding complex…
The 5P’s of Leading Strategic Change
Change is constant. When leading strategic change, the MOR 5P’s offer a compelling framework for leaders and change age…
Frame vs. Blame: My Leadership Presence
During my reflections on my leadership presence, a common theme comes up: the difference between framing a situation an…
Overcoming barriers to leadership growth: Stepping out of our own way
Overcoming barriers to leadership growth requires stepping out of our own way, shifting the narrative, and leveraging t…
Advice from 2026 Commencement Speeches
Wisdom about leadership, change, and growth from select 2026 commencement speeches.
Leadership Growth: Lessons from the Laws of Motion
Discover how Newton’s laws of motion apply to leadership habits, reflection, and change through the lens of the MOR Lea…
AEIOU: Leadership and Team Excellence
AEIOU turns values into action: accountability, excellence, inclusion, openness, and user experience focus build trust…
From Know-It-All Expert to Learn-MOR Leader
Ditch trying to be the know-it-all, let AI clear the fluff, spark curiosity, and lead while learning out loud
The Snowball: Lessons in Self-Awareness
I learned real transformation comes through self-awareness, grace, accountability, and small, consistent steps.
Grounding Then Habits
Leadership growth requires authentic habits, self-reflection, and prioritizing well-being. True progress starts by embr…
Constraint as Catalyst for Strategic Change
Higher Ed leaders must move beyond cuts to modernize, unify capabilities, leverage AI, retain talent, and lead change.
Being Indispensable or Building Independence?
Being indispensable feels good, but enabling others builds lasting value. Shift from fixing problems to fostering indep…
Gratitude and Growth: 26.2 Miles and MOR
Crossing the Boston finish line again reminded me that our hardest miles can become the moments where strength and clar…
Another Leadership Program
Abstract (150 characters or fewer): The MOR program stood out by fostering real relationships, self-reflection, and pra…
Manage the Shock, Then the Move
Campus suddenly sold; 5-year move ahead. Leading through ambiguity, supporting staff now, assuming positive intent, my…
Letting go as a Leader: The Quiet Practice of Change
Change puts us in the Neutral Zone, an in-between where old ways fade before new ones form; staying present grows self-…
Beyond Emulation: Leading with Intention
Leading with intention isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more deliberate in what you choose to do and how you sho…
Leadership Lessons on Growth From Gardening
Leadership thrives through small, consistent actions. Patient nurturing builds lasting growth even when change isn’t im…
Self-Awareness and Leadership: Why Understanding Yourself Matters
Many leaders think they understand, but the data suggests we might be making too many assumptions. Here’s how we can fl…
When Less Doing Means Greater Leading
Stepping back from the front lines lets you lead, manage, and build lasting relationships that shape a smarter, more st…
On Leading in Distressing Times
Leaders face rising distress, negatively impacting organizations. Here are some strategies to consider.
AI and Maintaining Intentional Relationships as Leaders
Leaders must balance AI convenience with relationship-building; relying solely on AI risks losing vital human connectio…
The Importance of Calendaring Habits for Leaders
Being intentional about calendaring habits, including defensive calendaring, helps leaders be more effective and avoid…
Learning to Pause as a Leader
I’ve started pausing more often – not out of hesitation, but because I’m becoming more aware of my patterns, my impact…
Taking Leadership Inspiration from the Milano Cortina Olympics
I am watching this year’s Paris Olympics for both athleticism and with a leadership development lens. I am looking for…
Refining Intentional Leadership Habits
Intentionally refining habits leads to meaningful personal and leadership growth.
The OSI Model and Strategic Alignment
Applying the network OSI model, we explore how leadership aligns strategy, execution, and individual work as interconne…
Financial Constraint as a Catalyst: Reimagining University IT for Strategic Leverage
Universities must strategically rethink spending and IT models to overcome financial pressure and improve service, secu…
The“i” in Team: Why the lowercase “i” Matters for All IT Teams
Behind every successful team are individuals contributing their unique strengths: innovation, influence, integration, i…
The Other Side to “Taking on More”: A Leader’s Responsibility
When asking teams to take on more, use respectful language, discuss priorities, adjust expectations, rebalance work, an…
The Second Arrow: Dealing With Leadership Failures
Setbacks, failures, and disappointments are unavoidable and often painful. Greater danger is in self-blame, rumination…
IT Leaders and the Digital Transformation of Higher Education
Universities must pivot to lifelong learning models, demanding flexible tech infrastructure and strategic IT leadership…
The “Dark Side” of Leadership? Or Just the Real Side?
Real leadership means making tough calls with kindness and integrity, not just seeking to be liked or avoiding hard con…
No Thanks
Perhaps we can collectively take a deep breath this week, and take back some control to finish the year with intentiona…
The Importance of Coaching with Kindness
Leading with kindness transforms teams, fosters growth and trust, and is a superpower that elevates leadership, coachin…
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: Managing Stress and Strengthening Trust
People are under stress and feeling threatened. Show appreciation, offer positive feedback, and talk openly.
Redefining “Taking on More”: A Mindset Shift for Sustainable Success
We often take on more. While we must acknowledge the challenges, consider a different perspective: a new way to make a…
Show Your Math
One of my big takeaways from my high school was to “show you math.” Working through a problem, showing reasoning, is a…
The Leadership Journey Continues
You made a significant investment in yourself if you fully engaged and participated in a MOR program. The growth of yo…
Meeting the Moment: Taking Care of Your People
Talent management is about taking care of people. Offboarding can be difficult. How you treat those departing and those…
Meeting the Moment: Talent Management in Challenging Times
Today we focus on workforce issues, concerns, and strategies to consider when financial constraints make it urgent to u…
Meeting the Moment: Taking Initiative As A Leader
This is a moment to make a compelling case for change. A more integrated organization will optimize resources, improve…
Big Leadership Challenges, Meaningful Actions
Leverage tech, rethink processes, and foster collaboration to take meaningful action to boost efficiency and innovation…
Meeting the Moment
In challenging times, it’s crucial to lead from where you are. You can enable staff to lead from where they are. Focus…
Results, Strategically Impactful Results, and MOR Results!
Deliver strategic impact. Minimize operational costs via efficiencies, choose the most pressing strategic needs, and pr…
Lee Corso, the power of practice, and having some fun along the way
Lee Corso was a member of ESPN’s College Game Day program. After 38 years, he retired this past Saturday. Here are five…
Cold Showers Never Feel Warm
Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Christian Schmieder, Assistant Director for Data Governance at the University of Wiscon…
Getting to the Balcony
Getting to the Balcony: Engaging the Community in Change
As a strategic leader, you know that learning from others and encouraging new ideas are important parts of your decisio…
Getting to the Balcony: New Conversations in Leadership
We’re excited to introduce the first installment of Getting to the Balcony, our monthly video interview series des…
Key Insights
Leading IT Integration in Higher Education: Lessons from 12 Universities
At a recent MOR roundtable, leaders from twelve universities shared differing experiences integrating IT. Here are thei…
The 5P’s of Leading Strategic Change
Change is constant. When leading strategic change, the MOR 5P’s offer a compelling framework for leaders and change age…
A Force Multiplier: Leadership Development as a Strategic Asset in Higher Education
In an era where higher education institutions face unprecedented challenges, many leading universities have discovered…
Successfully Integrating Services at the University
Successfully integrating administrative organizations across a university is as much about people and culture as techno…
Addressing Change Fatigue: A Human-Centered Leadership Roadmap
Addressing change fatigue requires a more human-centered approach to leadership. Originally contributed to TrainingIndu…
Learning to Pause
Whether responding to a question, making a decision, or a difficult conversation, pausing gives us time to think, breat…
Navigating Workforce Instability: Employing Talent Agility in Higher Education
Higher education must foster talent agility to adapt, ensuring resilience and innovation amid workforce instability.
10 Leadership Journey Guiding Principles
As I approach 25 years at Indiana University, I reflect on my values and how I made them uniquely me.
Five Lessons from the Flying V
I am fascinated with geese in their “Flying V” formation and how they manage to create such a flawless shape.