Leading change with clarity and care: Practical lessons for women in higher education

Higher education is often described as a place of innovation — a space where new knowledge is generated and new ideas debated. Yet, when it comes to institutional change, colleges and universities can be remarkably resistant. In her essay “Are You Prepared to Lead Change,” Jennifer Askey, an academic coach and former advisor to the provost at the University of Alberta, argues that the challenge is not simply structural; it is cultural; it is human. And too often, leaders underestimate the relational work required to move institutions forward.