4. Leading with Strategic Thinking in Higher Education: A Conversation with Aaron K. Olson

In this conversation with EdUp Provost host Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner, leadership expert and author Aaron K. Olson discusses the importance of strategic leadership in higher education, emphasizing adaptive strategic thinking, systems thinking, and the balance between shared governance and innovation. He highlights the need for provosts to navigate pitfalls in strategic change and the role of directive leadership in certain contexts. Olson also shares insights on effective leadership practices and recommends Richard Rumelt's book, The Crux, as a valuable resource for understanding strategy. Takeaways • Strategic leadership is essential for navigating change in higher education. • Adaptive strategic thinking involves insight, choice, and risk management. • Systems thinking is crucial for addressing interconnected issues in academia. • Provosts must be aware of the pitfalls in implementing strategic change. • Directive leadership can be necessary in certain situations.