What makes for a great seminary president?

In a search for a seminary president? It's a turbulent time for theological seminaries and many of them are in the search process for new leadership. A new study says look past the resume:

Personal qualities -- rather than experience or training -- were the best predictors of success, according to “Leadership That Works,” a four-year study by a team of researchers led by Barbara Wheeler, former president of Auburn Theological Seminary and director of the school’s Center for the Study of Theological Education.

Researchers surveyed seminary presidents, academic deans and financial officers, and built on previous surveys of seminary leadership by the Auburn Center. They visited six well-run schools and followed for three years the newly appointed presidents of 10 more. The study covered a broad range of institutional types -- Roman Catholic, mainline and evangelical Protestant, denominational and independent, large and small, financially secure and financially stressed.
...
“Presidents need to decide what the job requires and do that, rather than the parts of the job they’re good at or feel good doing,” Wheeler said. “Discipline, self-management and a clear picture of what the job requires -- that is the key ingredient of success.”

Success by a president was defined as: stability of the institution, good relationships with those on whom it depended financially, and alignment with its goals and adaptability.

Presidents who were successful had these characteristics: “powerful intelligence, confidence, persuasiveness and persistence,” interpersonal skills, humility and discipline.

There's more at Faith&Leadership.

Is your alma mater looking past the resume?

Posted by John B. Chilton on January 6, 2011 10:26 AM | |
Comments (1)

I wonder if these qualities also apply to clergy and lay leaders in the church?

For instance, are there ways of studying what are the most effective aspects of being a clergyperson, or lay leader, and then applying them to the selection criteria for clergy and for offices such as senior warden.

I find it interesting that this study has *some* application to the discussion about the relevance and effectiveness of the GOE from yesterday,...

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/clergy/the_goe_is_dead_long_live_the.html

Good food for thought!

Peter Carey+

Posted by petermcarey [TypeKey Profile Page] | January 6, 2011 3:11 PM

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