Characteristics and Practices of Highly Rated Senior Leadership Teams: A Comparative Case Study of CCCU Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this comparative case study research project was to identify the characteristics and practices utilized by the senior leadership teams (SLTs) at two CCCU institutions that had been highly rated in terms of confidence levels from the faculty/staff based on data gathered in ModernThink’s “Great Colleges to Work For” annual survey, as published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Because the COVID-19 crisis was current and impacting all institutions of higher education, these SLTs were selected to address the research question What have been the characteristics and practices of highly rated senior leadership teams as they guided their institutions in navigating the COVID-19 crisis? During one campus visit to each of two locations, a research team of three gathered data through 36 face-to-face interviews, direct observations, and document review. Study findings add to the literature by addressing gaps related to SLTs in the field of higher education, as identified by Kezar et al. This research project is the first “test” of the model of Kezar and colleagues, applying it to a study of two teams to assess which of the eight key elements of SLTs were most prominently identified among the perceptions and experiences of team members. Four unique primary themes emerged from the process of data analysis: (a) designing teams to develop significant levels of trust, (b) prioritizing shared team mission and institutional vision, (c) affirming strong presidential leadership that authentically empowers others, and (d) emphasizing clarity throughout crisis. This study extends the research on higher education SLTs and presents several implications and opportunities for further research.