What Makes Leadership of a College Hard? Some Relevant "F" Words

This is what President of FSU said apparently: "If it wasn't for fraternities and football, it'd be a pretty easy job." Seriously, his list of problems is short. I think there are many other "f" words that make the job of being a college/university president tough. And, while it was tough when I was doing the "job" for 8 plus years, I think it is getting even harder.

Consider these other "f" words (not in order of importance): faculty (hiring; tenuring; supporting); finances (budget balancing is no small feat, especially when there is uncertain enrollment; accessing new funds for construction or other institutional needs; managing student financial needs); fundraising (not easy and certainly time consuming; development connections and friends); freedom of speech (and how to preserve it while balancing the need to be sensitive to campus culture and campus tenor); fidelity (as in truth telling and transparency and honesty with one's Board and with one's community); future (planning for it; anticipating it; innovating for it); facilities (maintaining them; building them; designing them; financing them); food (a source of constant complaining along with parking); and finally (the last category is key but doesn't start with an "f" although finally does, quality (of education and its outcomes; workforce readiness; psycho-social student experience). (Then, of course, there are the f*@#*- ups, some more serious than others and some made by the leader and some made by others.)

Long list. And, the FSU president's comment reminds me, sadly, of lawyers who say, "I like being a lawyer; it's the clients that bother me;" or the physician who says, "I like being a doctor; it's the patients that make it tough." I'm sorry but clients and patients and football (and other sports) and fraternities (and other avenues for student life and living) are part of the "job." And, no one said these "jobs" were easy. In fact, I don't think they were meant to be easy. Leadership is hard.

That said, there are remarkable rewards that come from leading an institution and the successes of so many people at all ages and stages is gratifying. And the resolution of problems -- whether faced by faculty or staff or students -- provides opportunities for creativity and compassion. And, for me, leading a college was a way to maintain an active empathy engine. So many lives, so many experiences -- they all are part of the fabric of the institution and the position.

But, I think the biggest mistake the FSU president made is calling being a president of an institution a "job." For me and for many others, leading is way more than a job. It is a lifestyle in which the commitment is vast and powerful, encompassing all aspects of one's personal and professional life and time.

And, for what it's worth, I'd suggest that leading an academic institution isn't the only leadership position with a myriad of challenges but with accompanying rewards. I just wish some of our leaders recognized the enormity of their task and the potential a leader has and holds to impact positively the lives of so so many.

Note: I am now, as I often seem to be, inspired by my partner, MW, who understands me and leadership and many other things, all of which enable us to thrive together, hopefully improving the world we inhabit each and every day.