In the first episode of Season 2 of the "Coaching in Higher Education" podcast, host Dr. Tim Jansa discusses the new book Transformative Coaching for Faculty and Staff in Higher Education with editors Dr. Karen Gonzalez Rice and Dr. Susan Hrach. The book, which includes contributions from various experts, aims to provide a comprehensive guide to coaching in higher education, addressing both faculty and staff.

The editors emphasize the importance of transformative coaching, the need for cultural competence, and the significance of coaching in addressing productivity challenges and personal well-being. They also highlight the book's structure, which includes foundational coaching principles, specific coaching scenarios, and different coaching modalities, aiming to create a learning experience for coaches.

Are you a coach interested in working with colleges and universities, but have gained most of your experience in industry? Or maybe you're an experienced higher ed coach looking for new insights to enhance your practice? Either way, you're in the right place!

This presentation on coaching in higher education, delivered by Dr. Tim Jansa, a certified leadership and organizational development coach, aims to provide insights and practical advice for coaches interested in working with colleges and universities. The presentation covers the unique challenges and complexities of higher education institutions, the importance of coaching in this context, and the potential impact of effective coaching on these organizations.

Dr. Jansa highlights the unique organizational structures and challenges faced by colleges and universities, such as deeply embedded silos, hierarchical structures, and the lack of a unified vision. He discusses the importance of understanding these complexities and the need for coaches to navigate them effectively.

The presentation then delves into the specific challenges of coaching in higher education, including the "faculty leadership trap," the misconception of higher education institutions as machines, and the lack of meaningful leadership development programs. The presenter emphasizes the importance of coaching as a non-directive approach to bring about lasting positive change in these institutions.

Dr. Jansa also addresses the changing priorities of employees in higher education, particularly in the post-pandemic era, and the need for institutions to adapt to these new expectations. He highlights the potential of coaching to address employee turnover and attrition by developing pathways for advancement and leveraging the knowledge and expertise of staff and faculty.

The presentation concludes with key takeaways and a call to action for coaches to help higher education institutions become more agile, appreciate the knowledge and potential within their organizations, and dispel the image of coaching as a punitive intervention.

This episode explores how coaches can support faculty as they step into leadership roles in higher education, from department chair to dean. Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Dorine Lawrence‑Hughes discuss mindset shifts, identity, staff dynamics, and the transition from contributor to manager and leader.
If you coach or lead in colleges and universities, this conversation offers practical insights you can use right away.

In the Season 1 finale of Coaching in Higher Education, Tim and Dorine dive into:
Why faculty‑to‑leader transitions are so common yet often under‑supported
Understanding leadership as both a skill and a discipline
Moving from individual contributor to manager to visionary leader
Navigating identity, allegiance, and “going over to the dark side” of administration
Managing staff dynamics and building respectful relationships
Balancing research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities
Building a supportive bench of peers, mentors, and coaches
Designing a healthier coaching and leadership‑development ecosystem in higher ed

Learn more about this episode, our guest, and coaching for higher‑education leaders at: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#lawrencehughes
Leadership Imagined: https://leadershipimagined.com

In this episode, Dr. Tim Jansa and Stéfane Cahill Farella show how to design and run an on‑campus leadership development and coaching program in higher education, using Boston College’s Ignatian Leadership Development Program (ILDP) as a case study. The conversation covers program design, alignment with institutional mission, and the practical realities of implementation in a university setting.

You’ll learn how to:
✅Connect leadership development to institutional identity and Jesuit values such as cura personalis (care of the person)
✅Structure multi‑phase leadership programs and foundational documents for clarity, consistency, and stakeholder buy‑in
✅Balance high‑touch coaching relationships with shared tools such as 360s and individual development plans
✅Select and motivate committed participants so the program delivers real impact
✅Involve supervisors and senior leaders to strengthen accountability and long‑term support
✅Treat leadership development as an institution‑wide intervention, not a one‑off workshop
✅Learn more about leadership coaching for higher‑education leaders and this episode’s resources:

Companion site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#cahillfarella

In this episode of Coaching in Higher Education, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Mo Sattar explore how organizational alignment and misalignment shape the effectiveness of colleges and universities. They unpack the connection between strategy, culture, and communication, and show how misaligned goals, unclear roles, and hidden passive resistance slow institutions down.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Recognize indicators of misalignment in key higher‑ed functions such as admissions, academics, advancement, and student retention
✅ Use DiSC assessment profiles, alignment surveys, and trust questions to surface hidden resistance and get leaders on the same page
✅ Apply frameworks like the Competing Values Framework, ADKAR change management, and Six Thinking Hats to move from ideas to execution
✅ Facilitate cross‑unit conversations that build clarity on goals, roles, communication, and measures of progress
✅ Support leaders as “competent outsiders” who understand the realities of higher education, faculty autonomy, and institutional constraints

Whether you coach higher‑education leaders or work inside a university, this conversation offers practical tools to turn loosely connected working groups into truly aligned leadership teams.

Companion Site: https://leadershipimagined.com/coachingpodcast/#sattar

Dr. Tim Jansa and Sarah Spencer discuss the impact of national policy changes on international higher education leaders. Sarah highlights the resilience of global education leaders, noting past challenges like 9/11 and the pandemic. Coaching is emphasized as a crucial tool for navigating these uncertainties, fostering leadership, and addressing intercultural dynamics. They stress the importance of understanding sector-specific nuances and leveraging power skills like communication and adaptability to succeed in the evolving global education landscape.

Companion Site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#spencer

Keywords: international education, global education, leadership development, policy changes, resilience, intercultural communication, revenue goals, professional development

Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Rubina Malik discuss the challenges and opportunities in career pathways in higher education. Dr. Malik highlights the lack of defined career advancement paths, especially for staff, and the need for coaching to help individuals navigate these challenges. She emphasizes the importance of purpose, skills, and transferable skills in career growth. Dr. Malik also notes the impact of the "Great Resignation" in higher education and the need for succession planning. Additionally, she stresses the importance of cross-cultural dynamics in coaching and the need for institutions to invest in professional development and early talent identification to retain and grow their talent.

Companion Site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#malik

Keywords: career pathways, faculty development, staff development, leadership, talent retention, cross-cultural dynamics, professional development, organizational change

In this conversation, Dr. Tim Jansa and Dr. Kate McCaffrey explore the complexities of student services in higher education, discussing the challenges faced by leaders in this field, the importance of coaching, and the need for agility in response to changing student needs. They emphasize the significance of building relationships, breaking down silos, and fostering a mission-driven culture within institutions. The discussion also highlights the role of technology, the necessity of effective onboarding, and the importance of developing talent pipelines to ensure long-term success in student services.

Companion Site: https://leadershipimagined.com/podcast/#mccaffrey

Keywords: student services, leadership development, student needs, mental health, institutional priorities, resource constraints, agility, decision making, change management, technology integration, organizational debt, professional well-being