Leadership in an Era of Change: New Directions for Community Colleges, Number 149

In unstable times, effective leaders must not only be able to cope with the environment, they must also be able to shape it. Leaders in today's community colleges must fit that mold. Change leadership can be said to embody four essential characteristics that might be called the four "A's." These areOL {list-style:disc}P:{margin-left 60px}

1. Change leadership anticipates it is visionary and forward-looking and avoids reactionary thinking
2. Change leadership constantly analyzes both the internal and external enviroment to gather reliable data upon which to make decisions; it engages in strategic and tactical planning to make the most of the moment
3. Change leadership acts; with a vision and a plan, with accurate and current data, action is collaborative and inclusive
4. Change leadership affirms; it is not enough to have a vision, a plan, and action. Once action is implemented, attention is given to reflection, to review, and to sustaining change.

This volume focuses on change leadership at all levels. The authors bring unique perspectives--they are strong, recognized scholars in leadership studies as well as practitioners actively engaged in community college leadership. Both empirical studies and best practices are included to further our knowledge and understanding of effective leadership in the context of change.

This is the 149th volume of the Jossey-Bass higher education quarterly report series New Directions for Community Colleges. Essential to the professional libraries of presidents, vice presidents, deans, and other leaders in today's open-door institutions, New Directions for Community Colleges provides expert guidance in meeting the challenges of their distinctive and expanding educational mission.