Leadership is a vital skill in any field. Moreover, the difference between a good leader and a great leader often comes down to one’s leadership style. While there are some universal qualities that essentially all effective leaders share, such as the ability to make difficult choices, it is also important for leaders to learn what style works best for them.
There are few sectors where one’s approach to leadership is more consequential than the field of higher education. As Indeed points out: “When you choose the right leadership style for the situation, you may be able to solve complex problems, resolve conflicts more quickly, change the course of a school or even transform educational systems.” Fortunately, there is a perfect way for aspiring leaders to find the leadership style that works best for them, and that’s by enrolling in the Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education Administration online program from Arkansas State University (A-State). This highly specialized online degree path equips students with the tools necessary to successfully transition into leadership roles, while also helping leaders in higher education gain the capacity to adapt using different leadership approaches.
What Are Leadership Styles?
 Almost everyone understands the importance of leadership, but an understanding of what leadership styles are is not quite as widespread. At a basic level, your leadership style is simply how you define yourself as a leader, according to Indeed: “Learning about these styles can help you adjust how you motivate and guide employees, which may improve productivity and promote a positive work environment.”
When it comes to higher education specifically, an effective leadership style will hinge on your ability to navigate the challenges of working in a complex environment with multiple interest groups, including students, teachers, donors and administrative staff. The Academic Leadership Group notes that: “Leadership in universities has unique characteristics and brings unique challenges due to the complex nature of academia, the highly distributed organizational structure, and the diverse stakeholders involved. Universities need leaders with effectiveness, integrity, and the highest ethical standards.”
Types of Leadership Styles in Higher Education
 There are a variety of different approaches to leadership that can serve you well in an academic setting. One is collaborative leadership style. This method emphasizes the inclusion of all direct stakeholders in an educational institution, according to Indeed. An administrator who practices collaborative leadership might, for example, choose staff who can help them identify their own blind spots and who specialize in knowledge different from their own. “A collaborative leader in education is one who invites the opinion and the perspective of others, and who is comfortable with leading as a team,” Indeed states.
A different, equally important leadership style is transformational leadership. Leaders with this approach will often focus on inspiring and motivating others by pointing their efforts toward a greater societal good, according to the Academic Leadership Group. For example: “Transformational leaders create and communicate compelling future visions, encourage innovation and creativity, and empower followers to take ownership of their work and embrace change,” as per the Academic Leadership Group.
How To Get an Online Masters in Higher Education Administration
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of mastering a leadership style is putting it into practice. It is one thing to read about different concepts in leadership but actualizing them in a way that inspires and guides other people is another matter altogether. The Academic Leadership Group notes that: “While your intention and knowledge matter, in the end, leadership is what others perceive based on how you interact with them — your behaviors.”
An Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, such as the online program offered by A-State, is an accessible option for working educators who want to advance their leadership journey. Classes such as Higher Education Leadership, which introduce students to the academic study of leadership on university campuses, will help students find the leadership style that works best for them.
 Learn more about A-State’s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education Administration program.