What Makes You Ready to Be a College President?

These days, effective college presidents require a wide-ranging suite of interpersonal skills, such as the ability to build trust with constituencies and communicate effectively, according to new research. Given the inevitable fires they’ll have to put out, they must also have the resilience to deal with adversity. The research, in many ways, confirms much of the current dialogue about the challenges facing campus leaders: They are beset by competing demands from various groups, such as alumni, faculty, and students; under pressure to quickly solve enormous administrative and financial problems; and fearful that any pronouncement or action could swiftly spark internet outrage and reputational damage.