Becoming an effective leader in theological education -- whether as a president, dean, or board member -- usually requires intentional study and practice. Rarely does someone become a great leader through sheer instinct and natural talent. Rather, great leaders combine their natural gifts with the wisdom they gain from experts and real-world experiences.
If you feel like you could use some help in cultivating an effective leadership style, you may want to check out the resources below:
"Effective leadership for theological schools" (In Trust, New Year 2015).
"How to be a good board chair" (Harvard Business Review, March-April 2018).
"What sets successful CEOs apart" (Harvard Business Review, May-June 2017).
“How to become a game-changing leader” (MIT Sloan Management Review, Fall 2017).
“Leading for mission results: Connecting leadership beliefs with predictable changes” (Nonprofit Quarterly, Winter 2017).
Effective leadership for nonprofit organizations: How executive directors and boards work together by Thomas Wolf (Allworth Press, 2013).
Leading change: How boards and presidents build exceptional academic institutions by Terrence MacTaggart (AGB Press, 2011).
A handbook for seminary presidents, edited by G. Douglass Lewis & Lovett H. Weems Jr. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 2006).
In addition to the resources above, the In Trust Center can connect you to many more resources for improving your leadership skills. Contact us at resources@intrust.org for help.
Top Topics
Roles & Responsibilities
Challenges
Opportunities
Board Essentials
Explore these additional resources that may be of interest to you.
The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming events below.
UPCOMING EVENT: Wed., Oct. 15, 2025, 1 pm (ET)
Join Wise Stewards Project Director Rebekah Basinger, Ed.D., for an exploration of attitudes about power, types of power at play within shared governance, and strategies for mediating power-based tensions in institutional governance.
ON DEMAND
Webinar explores considerations for institutions pursuing strategic partnerships.
Dr. Ann Garrido, Assoc. Professor, Homiletics, Aquinas Institute of Theology, discusses how to choose to manage conflicts.
In Trust Center provides Resource Consulting to our members at no charge. Contact us today and let us guide you to the most helpful resources for your situation.
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