LEADERSHIP

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LEADERSHIP
Paul Wellings Vice-Chancellor Lancaster
University p.wellings_at_lancaster.ac.uk
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THE GREAT MAN IS DEAD
An accepted leader has only to be sure of what
to do, or at least to have made up his mind about
it. The loyalties which centre upon number one
are enormous. If he trips he must be sustained.
If he makes mistakes they must be corrected. If
he sleeps he must not be wantonly disturbed. If
he is no good he must be pole-axed. But this
last extreme process cannot be carried out every
day and certainly not in the days just after he
has been chosen. W.S.Churchill May 1940
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THE GREAT MAN IS DEAD
If I advance, follow me! If I retreat, kill
me! If I die, avenge me! La Rochejaquelin If
I advance, follow me! If I retreat, cut me
down! If I die, avenge me! Mussolini Follow
me, if I advance kill me if I retreat revenge
me if I die! Ngo Dinh Diem (on becoming
President of Vietnam)
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• MAJOR DRIVERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
• Globalisation
• New technology
• Research intensity
• Scale and collaboration
• Level of regulation
• Financial management
• Asset management
• Attracting quality staff
• Commercialisation
• Service provision

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The Knowledge domains of the Future
Market for Post-graduates
Main Market for HR with Tertiary Qualifications

• FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE GENERATING RESEARCH
• HR Development
• Infrastructure Devpt

POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION

• Market for
• New Science
• Specialists

UNDERGRADUATE/TERTIARY EDUCATION

• STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
• System Design and Optimisation
• Coherence with National System of Innovation
• Resource Allocation

HIGH-TECH VENTURES Application of
New/Specialist Knowledge
CONTINUING EDUCATION Professional Life Skills
Main market for adult education professional
maintenance
White Spaces
POST-TERTIARY DISCIPLINARY TRAINING Practical
Application of Theoretical Knowledge (LINK TO
INDUSTRY)
CONTRACT RDI CONSULTING Application of
Specialist Knowledge/ Facilities
STANDARDS CERTIFICATION Application of
Specialist Knowledge/Facilities (Quality
Productivity)
NEW VENTURES New application of Technology
Productive professionals for Industry
Development Economic growth
Enabling Enterprises
Higher Education Research Institution Outputs
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• UNIVERSITY OPERATING
• ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE
• Social space for personal initiative and
  creativity
• Time for ideas to grow to maturity
• Openness in debate and criticism
• Hospitality towards novelty
• Respect for specialist expertise
• John Zinans
• 5 conditions for leading
• a research-led organisation

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• LEADERS IN UNIVERSITIES
• Rally the operational environment
• Release ideas and innovation
• Be an advocate for the institution
• Pursue quality in everything
• Set ethical standards
• Drive strategy development

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How ?
LEADERSHIP STYLE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS DECISION
MAKING VISION AND LEGACY
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LEADERSHIP STYLE
A true leader is always led C G Jung, 1976 To
teach the people walk behind them Lao-Tzu Ive
got to follow them. I am their leader Alexandra
Ledru-Rollin
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SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
I know that the right kind of political leader
for the Labour Party is a desiccated calculating
machine. Aneurin Bevan, 1954 Leaders should
never, ever try to look cool thats for
dictators Ben Elton, 1998 A frightened captain
makes a frightened crew Lister Sinclair
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SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
Dowayos baffled me at first by the way in which
they used their categories prescriptively. Who
organised this festival? I would ask. The man
with the porcupine quills in his hair I cant
see anyone with porcupine quills in his
hair. No, hes not wearing them. Things were
always described as they should be, not as they
were. Nigel Barley
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DECISION MAKING
The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It
is very easy to say yes. Tony Blair, 1997 I
dont mind how much my Ministers talk, so long as
they do what I say Margaret Thatcher, 1980
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DECISION MAKING
The reward of a general is not a bigger tent
but command Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. I
really believe my greatest service is the many
unwise steps I prevent William Lyon McKenzie King
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VISION AND LEGACY
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall
into the ditch St. Matthew The final test of a
leader is that he leaves behind him in other men
the conviction and will to carry on Walter
Lippmann, 1945
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VISION AND LEGACY
Achilles absent, was Achilles still Homer As
far as the best leaders, the people do not notice
their existence. The next best, the people
honour and praise. The next, the people fear,
and the next the people hate. When the leaders
work is done, the people say, We did it
ourselves! Lao-Tzu
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KEY ATTRIBUTES OF LEADERS

• Create a sense of direction and purpose
• Be multi-dimensional
• Understand institutional culture and mandate
• Provide certainty
• Be prepared to take control
• Seek cabinet solidarity
• Manage risk
• Influence others
• Be prepared to champion big ideas

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A FINAL THOUGHT
When I surround a city I always leave a gate
unguarded so that the enemy can get out From the
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Leaders should
not be absolutist