Reframing Academic Leadership (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education

by Lee G. Bolman, Joan V. Gallos

Reframing Academic Leadership is a no-nonsense guide for academic administrators at all levels in colleges and universities and for those who seek to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in leading institutions of higher education today.  
 
Bolman and Gallos speak to those who care deeply about higher education, appreciate its strengths and its imperfections, and are committed to making it better.  Colleges and university administrators who strive to be leaders with impact and significant forces for good will find in this book a readable, intellectually provocative, and pragmatic approach to their work and its possibilities.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Education, Professional Development, Academia, School, Management

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2009

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second edition of a great book. This second edition was delayed by Covid and rewritten because of it. To understand what is happening in international higher education leadership - this is the book. But it is not descriptive or diagnostic. Instead, it offers a serious of options to reframe our understanding of leadership.

It is US-centric, but offers a tired, quiet, resolute inspiration. It is clear what is going so wrong in university leadership. It is also clear that this mode of leadership cannot continue. Covid became the full stop for this moment in university higher education history.

Stunning and careful book. Excellent.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book based on a recommendation from a mentor. Going into it I was anticipating a fairly boring read, but I was 100% wrong. This book is extremely relevant and accessible. It's organized very clearly; I had an easy time following the thought progression. I was amazed at how much of the book felt applicable to my role in an academic library.

[Jess Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Reframing Academic Leadership" by Joan V. Gallos and Lee G. Bolman is a highly recommended read for anyone in higher education. The book offers an unsettling yet insightful perspective on the past, present, and future of academic leadership. As someone who has been involved in academic leadership roles, I found the book to be particularly relevant and thought-provoking. It delves into various aspects of leadership and provides valuable insights and strategies for academic leaders to navigate the challenges they face. From sustaining health and vitality to fostering a caring and productive campus, the book covers a range of topics essential for effective leadership in the academic setting.

Throughout the book, I found numerous connections to my own experiences as an academic leader. One key takeaway was the importance of sustaining health and vitality. The authors emphasized the need for self-care and setting boundaries, which deeply resonated with me. It reminded me of the dangers of neglecting personal well-being in the pursuit of institutional success. By investing in my own growth and resilience, I realized that I can better serve and lead others

Another significant aspect explored in the book is the power of shaping institutional culture. The chapter on "Keeping the Faith and Celebrating the Mission" provided valuable insights into constructing a historical narrative to inspire a shared purpose among faculty and staff. This reminded me of the impact a positive tone and a sense of community can have on motivating and engaging individuals within an institution. It reinforced the importance of celebrating the mission and creating a supportive and inspiring environment.

The concept of sensemaking and reframing was also a thought-provoking topic discussed in the book. By highlighting the role of interpretation and encouraging alternative viewpoints, the authors challenged my own mindset as a leader. I realized the significance of continuously questioning and evolving my own thinking to effectively navigate the complexities of academic leadership. This chapter reminded me of the importance of being open to different perspectives and seeking input from others to make informed decisions.

The value of fostering a caring and productive campus resonated deeply with my belief in servant leadership. The book emphasized the importance of empowering others, providing support, and fostering collaboration. Creating an environment that promotes growth, inclusivity, and well-being positively impacts both productivity and the overall campus community. This chapter reinforced my commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can thrive and contribute their best.

Lastly, the chapter on "Leading from the Middle" struck a chord with me as an academic leader navigating complex relationships and expectations. The strategies for effective action, such as active listening, understanding differences, and finding support in peers, provided practical guidance. This chapter reminded me of the importance of courage and adaptability in leading by example and finding common ground with colleagues across various levels of leadership.

​"Reframing Academic Leadership" has not only broadened my understanding of academic leadership but also provided valuable connections to my own experiences. The book's exploration of sustaining health and vitality, shaping institutional culture, sensemaking and reframing, fostering a caring and productive campus, and leading from the middle align with my personal insights and challenges as an academic leader. It offers practical strategies and perspectives to enhance leadership skills and make a positive impact in higher education institutions. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of academic leadership and drive meaningful change within their institutions.

"Leaders are expected to make things better and to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape" - ​Joan V. Gallos and Lee G. Bolman

[Ebony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reframing Academic Leadership is a no holds barred look at the messy underbelly of academic leadership. This quote from Herbert Simon on page 191 stood out “universities are places run by amateurs to train professionals.” The irony. So many of us get appointed to leadership roles with no skills or preparation. I’m glad books like this exist. To guide those further into the career to success or steer people away from the career to pursue other avenues before burnout. The most significant thing I learned I don’t want to be an academic leader. While I have quite a few of the skills, I do not have the passion for this life. Figuring that out is the strength of the book.

In horror story after horror story, the authors outline the problems and solutions in neat charts and boxes, but no amount of check yourself and consider alternate points of view advice is going to make me want to tackle the mess of being a middle leader negotiating between faulty and higher ed administrators. If you read the anecdotes and get excited about brainstorming solutions then this is for sure your career path. If you think, Dear God, “why would any intelligent person want to do such difficult and sometimes thankless work?” (220) then you feel like most admin and have to dig deeper to determine whether the work is for you or not. The book facilitates this deeper dive into self-exploration via emotional and spiritual intelligence to determine whether academic leadership is indeed the path for you.

What I dug the most was the breakdown of leadership styles: structural, political, human resources, and symbolic. If you don’t read for anything else, learn to identify these leadership styles. Now that I understand them, I see them everywhere. I also know which one is my strength and how and when to deploy it. The chapter on managing bosses was also useful because everyone reports to someone. Whether you step into the lion’s den of leadership or not, conflict will recur, and if you want a reference point on your shelf, Reframing Academic Leadership is the first book I’ve encountered that explicitly offers practical advice on how to manage conflicts and difficult situations in academia.

[Tasha Seegmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books discussing leadership within the confines of education, but this was one of the best. Understanding that most people of influence negotiate their leadership style from the middle, meaning they have people who they lead and others who lead them, Bolman addresses the nuances and how to be a little more mindful of self and communication to make a difference within an academic setting. It was engaging and informative.

[Steven Chaffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would probably put most people to sleep, but I found it very informative and helpful. As someone who works in higher education and has an interest in potentially pursuing leadership in higher education someday, I appreciated the authors' explorations of the issues academic leaders encounter and the frameworks they provide for thinking and working through those challenges. I left the book more interested in academic leadership than ever, not because it's easy or because there's a formula for success, but because it's challenging, dynamic, and impactful.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is solid, wise, accessible, and entertaining; my students found it useful and enjoyable as a text in our leadership course. The authors land the work in some truly novel material about why beauty and love aren’t just nice ideas, but absolute necessities for real leadership that goes beyond cold management.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good. A break down of theory, evidence-based research, and application og best practice in higher education leadership. I learned a ton. I will probably refer to it and re-read it often.

[Lisa Tiffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing capture of the state of higher education, the need for solid and well-trained leadership and a compendium of advice for those willing to step up to the plate. Grateful for this recommendation from a friend and mentor.

[Matt McCullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an excellent book with key insights on becoming and being an effective academic leader. It was good for me to take time to read and digest the content. There are several action items that I hope to implement. I strongly recommend this to anyone in the academy.

[Stephen Hegedus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights

Real, very real in places, easy to access and relate to yet with thoughtful questions to make you reflect and question your position and future

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good read for higher ed leaders.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit longer than it needs to be, but solid advice and sane perspectives.

[L. M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely work, filled with useful practical advice, written by two experienced administrators and scholars.

[Ertgrl Gz]

I want to read this book for my academic studies. Thanks.

[Cicely Moreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times too flowery for my taste. Still a good reference that emphasizes the importance of humanity in leadership, self-care, and boundaries.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you are in the field. Really nice concrete examples and all around sound guidance.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a class on educational leadership for my Master of Education program. Overall, the book does a great job discussing issues relating to higher education leadership, and strategies for improving leadership style. This book is organized around the principle of "reframing" or "a deliberate process of shifting perspective to see the same situation in multiple ways and through different lenses" (13). The last section of the book was particularly helpful since it addressed topics that most educational leaders will address including: managing conflict, leading from the middle, leading difficult people, managing your boss, sustaining health and vitality, and feeding the soul.

My favorite part of this book was the way each chapter opened with a detailed example of a higher education leader faced with an opportunity or challenge and how they approached it. The text then uses this to start the conversation about a particular issue related to higher education, and will occasionally reference back to the example. Both positive and negative leadership examples were included to illustrate the book's points. For example, the book uses the example of President Quixote, who had a vision for his college, but tried to implement it in a heavy handed and overbearing way, leading to fear, discord, and division at his college. For me, these concrete examples of real individuals facing challenges was the most beneficial aspect of the book because it provided a frame of reference, and grounded the text in specific examples that made the concepts easier to grasp.

While this is mostly a resource book for those employed in higher education, I think its a highly readable and largely enjoyable text that deals with concrete issues.

[Alireza Hejazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers academic leaders with the concepts, skills, and information they need to make greater sense of their work and institutions, as well as to become more adept and adaptable in dealing with the ups and downs of everyday life in the higher education sector. It provides a research-based yet practical approach to academic leadership. It reflects shifts in higher education, the world, and our perceptions. It helps academic leaders to comprehend the particular context in which they operate and to develop the skills and confidence necessary to lead effectively in response to it. It assists readers in knowing the changing environment of higher education. It is based on the writers’ views and experiences as leaders in higher education, as well as the findings of other researchers. It is an informative source of knowledge for higher education leaders and managers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book for anyone who works in academia. Some of the chapters fell flatter than the others; the most helpful ones for me were the case studies that not only introduced the case but then also provided guidance on how to approach the case throughout the chapter to illustrate the points of that chapter. (Some of the cases were just introduced without any follow-up--I would loved to see more illustrative examples in those chapters of how that case could be approached productively. I still have some big question marks about some of the cases, like the one from the "Leading from the Middle" chapter.) But overall, a nice volume that reads quickly and guides leaders through the process of developing a more reflective practice to leadership.

[ReImagine Science · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes at a critical time in organizational change and potential for the academic institution writ large. Bolman and Gallos have a very forward thinking approach to the dynamics of human interaction, especially in context of different stakeholder groups and the attempt to 'lead' a conglomeration of independent entities (as it seems most academic departments are).

'Reframing' is apparently not a new term to the corporate sector, but this book, like Kezar and Lester's 'Organizing Higher Education for Collaboration,' brings new thinking and powerful approaches to an institution that has remained largely insulated from outside trends.

It's high time.

[Lance Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bolman's work does a good job of highlighting the many different challenges to leading in higher education with accessible prose and good examples or anecdotes to illustrate his points. He succeeds that problematizing the role of leadership in higher education and the many different ways there are to fail. What is provided is not a fool-proof guide, but a general map that shows readers where they are likely to fail and how best to recover. Additionally, a strong value that Bolman addresses that many other texts leave out is how to lead upward. Many texts focus solely on leadership from the top of the hierarchy but he spends a reasonable amount of time, guiding people moving upward.

[L Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes over the more modern thoughts towards academic leadership in higher education. It takes a very causal and applicable approach to leadership and roles as an administrator in higher education. I liked it as I don't know a whole lot about what it actually means to be an administrator in higher education. It wasn't exactly anything new, just something to think about as far as awareness. In the end, I did like the strategies provided for being an effective administrator.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for an Organization and Governance in Higher Education class. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who works in higher ed. It's an easy read with great examples and insight.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians. Excellent ways to look at and actually do leadership in higher education.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entirely readable and mostly practical look at leadership in academia. Though many of its main themes feel self-evident, reading them as a whole did feel like a worthwhile and useful endeavor.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for leadership institute at Harvard University.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was at times a challenging read. However, after attending the Harvard Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians, I should try re-reading it to see if it makes more sense.

[ACRL]

Read by ACRL Member of the Week Brad Warren. Learn more about Brad on the ACRL Insider Blog.

[Jennifer Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for work, and found it to be interesting-seeing all the issues that higher education institutions face from outside the system.