Leadership and excellence: A tool for good governance of tertiary institutions The IPS experience

Abstract

Very often, administrators only manage or govern by means of what they perceive as the best administrative procedures and policies without paying regard to the art of leadership. Leadership entails influence persuasion, and direction. It is concerned with the communication of the vision and the development of a culture and set values that lead to what the organization desires for the future. The environment of teaching and learning requires a more complex form of leadership and management because of the presence of diversity of purpose and academic freedom. For effective governance, universities require the use of leadership skills and styles that will enhance the collective role of the university to advance knowledge in all respects. This paper aims at the sharing of leadership experience gained through a real life situation by a tertiary educational institution that has made a tremendous strides. Il discusses the impact of the use of leadership skills in the governance of tertiary educational institutions. The use of appropriate leadership power in an attempt to influence people has also been discussed and the effect on the vision of the organization has been considered. The experience of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) confirms that the Rector or Vice- Chancellor is more likely to succeed when he or she shares his vision with others. The case of IPS gives an indication that leaders who combine the middle-of-the-road management style with team management style and behaviour achieve better results. The article suggests that effective leadership involves the creation of enabling environment, empowerment, collaboration, cordial relationships, and diversity.