Leadership Philosophy

Purpose

Leadership transcends the mere management of assets, systems, and processes—it is fundamentally about leading people. The true reward of leadership is seen when others willingly embrace a shared vision, motivated to pursue it independently. In this context, a leader acts as a catalyst, initiating a reaction that continues even after they have stepped away.

Photograph by Irynka Hromotska with 4x5 film camera.

Direction

I begin each workday with a chapter from a leadership book, deliberately setting aside time to learn from those who have contemplated the complexities of successful human interactions and relationships. Leadership starts with self-guidance. Only after holding oneself to the highest standards, allowing room for growth and insisting on personal excellence, can one be equipped to extend leadership to others.

The commonly uttered but misguided phrase "don't take it personally" fails to recognize the profound personal investment individuals make in their work. Common conversational exchanges often lead to people defining themselves by their professions, indicating that leadership is inherently personal, as work is an extension of one's identity.

Motivation

My leadership philosophy centers on providing purpose, direction, and motivation so that, collectively, we can attain the organization's loftiest goals. With the synergy of my 20-year military career in the U.S. Army and my academic experiences, I have honed the ability to discern when to emphasize student performance (an academic focus) and when to recognize that students are experiencing transformative milestones that transcend the class syllabus (a leadership focus).

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