Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Organizational Effectiveness, University Human Resources

Hello Leader.

Uncertainty isn’t new in higher ed — but leading through it with clarity, confidence, and care can take real intention.

In this issue, we’re leaning into that reality. You’ll see how your feedback is helping us adapt and sharpen our focus. We’re also introducing guidance from The Hottest Seat on Campus by Angel B. Pérez, which outlines seven leadership superpowers for navigating challenge and change. And to make it actionable, our Take One Step section offers a practical toolkit with small, meaningful ways to put those superpowers to work — starting now.

Whether you lead a team, a project, or from where you sit — this issue is for you.

Upcoming Events

You Shared, We’re Evolving 

Thank you to everyone who responded to our May survey. You helped us see what’s working — and what we can improve. Based on your feedback, here’s what we’re doing:

  •  Moving to a bimonthly format to focus on relevance and quality
  • Prioritizing content you asked for, including:
    • Advance notice of leadership events and training
    • Practical, easy-to-use tools and resources
    • Highlights of real leadership practices that work

We’re committed to keeping this newsletter useful, timely, and actionable — and your feedback helps us do that.

PASS Fall Application Open Now! 

Do you work with someone who's new to supervising or growing into a leadership role? The Practical Applications of Supervisory Skills (PASS) program helps new and emerging supervisors build real-world leadership skills through interactive training and peer learning.

Schedule: Tuesdays, Sep 9 - Oct 14, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

First session in person (UCC 2520D); remaining sessions via Zoom.

Cost: None.

Apply for the PASS program by July 28.

If someone on your team or in your network could benefit, please share this opportunity with them.

COACH'S CORNER

One of the hardest parts of leadership is being looked to for clarity when you don’t have it yourself. In higher ed, that’s a familiar place — shifting priorities, long timelines, new demands, and no perfect answers.
The instinct is often to wait for certainty. But strong leadership in uncertain times isn’t about having control of everything — it’s about steadiness.

In The Hottest Seat on Campus, Angel Pérez names six leadership “superpowers” that help leaders stay grounded when things are unclear. They’re not lofty ideals — they’re small, repeatable habits: protecting time to reflect, separating your identity from your role, managing your energy, and staying open to challenge.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You need presence, intention, and calm. That’s what people trust when the path ahead is foggy. And those habits? You can build them — one at a time.

Take One Step

Block 15 minutes of quiet time on your calendar this week – and protect it. No meetings. No email. Just space to think.

This one habit from our toolkit — drawn from the leadership superpowers in The Hottest Seat on Campus — builds clarity, steadiness, and intention in uncertain times.

Go Deeper