How can you use HEA leadership theories to create a culture of innovation in higher education administration?

Innovation is a key driver of excellence, relevance, and impact in higher education. As an educational leader, you have the opportunity and responsibility to foster a culture of innovation in your institution, department, or team. But how can you do that effectively and sustainably? One way is to use the HEA leadership theories as a framework to guide your actions, decisions, and interactions. HEA stands for Higher Education Academy, a UK-based organisation that provides professional recognition, development, and resources for higher education staff. The HEA leadership theories are based on research and practice, and they offer four different perspectives on how to lead innovation in higher education: adaptive, relational, distributive, and transformative. In this article, you will learn more about each of these perspectives, and how you can apply them to create a culture of innovation in your context.

1 Adaptive leadership

Adaptive leadership is about responding to changing and complex situations with creativity, flexibility, and resilience. It involves identifying and addressing adaptive challenges, which are problems that require new learning and solutions, rather than technical challenges, which are problems that can be solved with existing knowledge and skills. As an adaptive leader, you need to encourage experimentation, risk-taking, and learning from failure, as well as provide support, feedback, and coaching to your staff and stakeholders. You also need to balance the need for stability and continuity with the need for change and innovation. Some strategies to practice adaptive leadership are: scanning the external and internal environment for opportunities and threats, involving diverse perspectives and voices in decision-making, creating a safe space for dialogue and feedback, and recognising and rewarding innovative efforts and outcomes.

Add your perspective

Sean Schofield, Ph.D.

Data-Driven Strategist | Career Development Leader | Helping People Understand & Apply Their Values, Interests & Aptitudes to Level-Up Their Career
Report contribution
One of the most important foundations of effective adaptive leadership is creating a sense of psychological safety in the workplace. Establishing an environment where teammates are not penalized for failure will allow them to feel confident in innovating and taking calculated risks, therefore finding more creative solutions. When people are fearful at work, they will prioritize working safely, and this will mute their creativity.

Like

2 Relational leadership

Relational leadership is about building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with your staff, peers, students, and other stakeholders. It involves developing trust, respect, and mutual understanding, as well as fostering collaboration, communication, and engagement. As a relational leader, you need to nurture a sense of belonging, identity, and purpose among your staff and stakeholders, as well as align their values, goals, and expectations with the vision and mission of your institution. You also need to leverage the strengths, talents, and diversity of your staff and stakeholders, and empower them to contribute to innovation. Some strategies to practice relational leadership are: communicating openly and transparently, listening actively and empathetically, providing constructive feedback and recognition, and facilitating teamwork and networking.

Add your perspective

Adebisi Adenowo

Principal Education Officer
Report contribution
Some practices that have been tested and trusted about relational leadership is that; Relational leadership in higher education involves fostering open communication, building relationships, collaborative decision-making, empowerment, conflict resolution, shared vision, mentorship programs, promoting inclusivity, embracing adaptability, and maintaining a student-centered approach for a positive and collaborative academic environment.

Like

3 Distributive leadership

Distributive leadership is about sharing and distributing leadership roles and responsibilities among your staff and stakeholders, rather than concentrating them in a single person or position. It involves empowering and enabling your staff and stakeholders to take initiative, make decisions, and solve problems, as well as creating a shared vision, culture, and strategy for innovation. As a distributive leader, you need to foster a sense of ownership, accountability, and autonomy among your staff and stakeholders, as well as provide them with the resources, support, and guidance they need to succeed. You also need to coordinate and align the efforts and outcomes of your staff and stakeholders, and ensure that they are aligned with the goals and values of your institution. Some strategies to practice distributive leadership are: delegating tasks and authority, mentoring and coaching, creating self-managed teams, and establishing clear roles and expectations.

Add your perspective

4 Transformative leadership

Transformative leadership is about creating and leading change that is radical, systemic, and sustainable. It involves challenging and changing the assumptions, beliefs, and practices that limit innovation, as well as inspiring and mobilising your staff and stakeholders to pursue a shared vision of excellence, relevance, and impact. As a transformative leader, you need to demonstrate courage, passion, and commitment to innovation, as well as cultivate a growth mindset, a learning orientation, and a reflective practice among your staff and stakeholders. You also need to foster a culture of innovation that is inclusive, participatory, and ethical, and that values diversity, equity, and social justice. Some strategies to practice transformative leadership are: articulating a compelling vision and narrative, modelling innovative behaviour and attitudes, creating opportunities for learning and development, and advocating for change and innovation.

Add your perspective

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Vivekananth Padmanabhan

Academic & Thought Leader | Empowering Success through Soft Skills Training, Career Counseling, and Productivity Coaching | Educator in Teacher Development, Learning Skills, & Content Writing | Life & Fitness Coach
Report contribution
While HEA theories provide a strong foundation, leaders must also consider the unique needs and motivations of their teams. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely succeeds. Effective leaders adopt a flexible mindset, blending elements of various leadership styles and continuously adapting to fit their organization's evolving culture and goals. They empower teams with autonomy while providing support and accountability. Ultimately, authenticity, empathy and open communication enable leaders to bring out the best in their people.

Like

How can you use HEA leadership theories to create a culture of innovation in higher education administration?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Adaptive leadership

2 Relational leadership

3 Distributive leadership

4 Transformative leadership

5 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Educational Leadership

More relevant reading

How can you use HEA leadership theories to create a culture of innovation in higher education administration?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Adaptive leadership

2 Relational leadership

3 Distributive leadership

4 Transformative leadership

5 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills