It is common in the commercial world for executives of large companies to have a coach to assist them through the tasks of upper management. The same has become true in the academic world.
Sophisticated College and University Presidents, as well as Heads of Independent Schools, have for some time relied on a small number of elite coaches to help them manage their increasingly difficult jobs. Without the understanding, support and advice of the right kind of coach or consultant, these jobs, with their nearly impossible demands, would become unbearable.
As contract attorneys for University and College Presidents and Heads of Independent Schools, we frequently attempt to get the school to pay or reimburse the cost of such coaching as a specific term in the individual leader’s contract. This emolument pays substantial dividends in the leader’s health and productivity.
Somewhat ironically, we are presented with many draft contracts for these jobs which mandate (and pay for) a yearly physical from a recognized health center like the Mayo Clinic. While not unimportant, I do not believe that the requirement of a physical is nearly as important as the payment or reimbursement of the President or Head’s coaching fees. Leadership coaching is an expense well worth incurring for any college, university or independent school.
To be the President of a College or University, or the Head of an Independent School, calls on the personal skills and courage of men and women unafraid to make decisions for the good of the institution, each of which is almost certainly not going to please one or more groups of its supporters. (Some time ago, an outstanding College President, when asked how things were going, joked that there are only two hundred of the alumni still not speaking to him! He had wisely but unpopularly eliminated the football program which, for a small school, was far too costly. For the alumni whose cherished memories of their college experience was time spent on the gridiron, some of them apparently cared about their memories more than the common good of the institution.)
Indeed, in the past few years, it has come to seem that many decisions of the President or Head satisfy no one.
This has only increased the importance of the President’s coach.
Richard (“Dick”) Nodell, based in Guilford, Connecticut, is today’s most sought-after coach for College and University Presidents. As protests rage, and occupants of the President’s chair feel themselves increasingly beleaguered, some of the country’s most well-respected College Presidents have turned to Dick Nodell, who has an almost magical ability to help them re-frame and manage seemingly intractable situations. His guidance has kept some presidents sane during their most trying times.
The independent school world requires its own style of coaching.
Strategic School Leadership is managed by several former Heads of School, all of whom were successful at their respective schools for many years: Rick Melvoin at the Belmont Hill School; Drew Casertano at the Millbrook School; and Vance Wilson at St. Albans School in Washington, DC. Their firm offers a wide range of consulting and training services, including analyses of school programs and personnel, but these former heads are also available to coach current Heads of School. Between the three of them, there are very few problems in this world that they have not seen or cannot prepare a contemporary Head of School to handle.
Other well-known figures in the independent school world are Dr. Michael Thompson, nationally-recognized expert on boys’ development and the author of the best-selling book, “Raising Cain”, and his partner, Dr. Rob Evans. They are often called in to assess and advise on difficult situations at a variety of independent schools.
Of course, coaching at each academic level ranges from the situational to overall support, but the value remains high; it can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful leader, as we have seen.
On the threshold of summer, Lisa, Terri and I wish our readers, clients and friends enjoyable warm weather months.
