Analogous to the ten commandments that governed our relationship to God and humanity, there are ten commandments tied to academic leadership.
These commandments are:
1. Thou shalt be innovative and not always take traditional pathways.
2. Thou shalt be experimental with new ideas and take responsible risks.
3. Thou shalt have a vision for the future of the institution but simultaneously address the concerns of the present.
4. Thou shalt work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff while carefully listening to outside entities for ideas that will help develop an improved framework for your college or university.
5. Thou shalt accentuate the strengths of others within the institution while recognizing that you are not omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent.
6. Thou shalt celebrate small institutional victories in addition to its large accomplishments.
7. Thou shalt be an example by walking the talk.
8. Thou shalt give others within your institution credit for their accomplishments, i.e., don’t take al