Leadership Reckoning: Can Higher Education Develop the Leaders We Need?

Since its inception, higher education in the U.S. has claimed to develop leaders. This bold claim appears in college mission statements and mottos, and it is reinforced in recruiting materials and ad campaigns. But is this claim justified? Leadership Reckoning takes to task American colleges and universities for their haphazard, incoherent, evidence-free approaches to developing students as leaders and offers a principle-driven, outcome-oriented blueprint for how effective leader development can occur. Higher education has both the opportunity and the responsibility to take leader development seriously and create the leaders we need. It's high time that happens, and Leadership Reckoning points the way.

"Take it from me, as someone who has worked in both government and business: leadership matters! In the face of global challenges like the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for good leaders in every part of society has never been greater. In Leadership Reckoning, the Doerr Institute for New Leaders pioneers a data-driven approach to make the development of moral leadership a core function of college education. This book is a must read for the leaders of today and tomorrow." -Al Gore, Former Vice President of the United States

"This book is a gem of a resource for institutions of higher education considering their role and approach in preparing the rising generation to exert the leadership our world needs. It is hard to imagine a more important question for revitalizing our colleges and universities and, most importantly, for getting on the path to realizing our collective aspirations for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world." -Wendy Kopp, CEO and Co-founder of Teach for All

"Our students will impact the world in far greater proportion than their numbers. Higher Education needs to fulfill its currently broken promise to students and society: to intentionally and genuinely prepare them to lead in a complex and hyper-connected world. This book makes a compelling case for leadership being central to university mission and more importantly, delivering on that mission." -Cynthia Cherrey Ph.D., President & CEO, International Leadership Association

"Higher education institutions have an urgent obligation to develop real-world leadership skills in students, and the authors provide innovative, practical ways to accomplish that mission. This groundbreaking book is a must-read for every university administrator and board member." -John R. Ryan, President & CEO, Center for Creative Leadership, Former Chancellor, State University of New York

"Imagine every student at your institution having the opportunity to formally participate in developing their leadership skills. Imagine that those who participate come to see themselves as better leaders, perform more effectively as leaders, and do better in school than those who don't. Imagine no more. This is happening right now, and authors Tom Kolditz, Libby Gill, and Ryan Brown show you where and how in Leadership Reckoning. Kolditz, Gill, and Brown begin with an insightful critique of the current state of affairs, and then they spend equal time documenting an evidence-based approach that creatively and effectively responds to unmet needs." -Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the bestselling and award-winning, The Leadership Challenge, and former Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University