Widening the discussion on HE leadership – leader dispositions and talents

ABSTRACT

What inherent personal leader qualities or dispositions do senior staff in universities say are necessary? What assumptions do we make about leadership in our universities and are they helpful? Are university staff surveys useful in giving both the leadership and staff a clear understanding of staff satisfaction levels related to how they are managed and led? This article looks at these important aspects of university leadership, gathering together HE leader/academic views, study findings and survey pointers to suggest dispositions and talents those in leadership positions should demonstrate in providing the right environment for staff.

KEYWORDS:

• Leadership
• management
• dispositions
• talents
• survey

Notes on Contributor

David Dunbar has held Department Administrator posts at the University of Liverpool, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge and completed an MBA at the University of Edinburgh since 1989, following a research MSc in Liverpool and NHS Medical Laboratory posts in London and Manchester.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.