In recent months, conversations have centered around what it takes to be a great leader. According to Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership, “It is a process of self-development, and you need to be willing and able to learn how to lead and often it comes from our experiences and facing adversity” (Knight, 2024).

For anyone willing to invest in a lifelong quest to learn and grow while aspiring to be a successful leader, they must be prepared to take a step back to examine some basic tenets of the role. Among the concepts that need to be investigated are the distinction between leading and managing, types of leaders, sources of power and personal traits and skills required to be effective.

Students currently enrolled in the School of Business and IT (SBIT) in one of the degree programs will likely find themselves questioning, researching and pondering many of these concepts as they navigate through their coursework. Classroom instructors enthusiastically guide students during the time it takes to earn their degree and welcome anyone seeking their advice. They want students to know they are there to support them throughout this journey.

In addition to their wise counsel in each of their courses, students can also find many of their professors sharing their expertise in this monthly newsletter. Beginning in March 2025 there is an amazing lineup of guest faculty contributors who will be providing insight into some timely topics which include: Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Politics, Difference between Leadership and Management: Why both matter in College and Beyond, How do you decide on your Leadership Style? and Managing with Technology: What does the future hold?

Be on the lookout for next month’s release of the SBIT Student Newsletter and click on the link for this Leadership and Management tab. Readers will not want to miss these inspiring perspectives on such timely topics.

FMI- Contact:

Mimi Gough mgough@purdueglobal.edu

Julie Dort jdort@purdueglobal.edu

Knight, R (2024) 8 Essential Qualities of Successful Leaders. Harvard business review. https://hbr.org/2023/12/8-essential-qualities-of-successful-leaders