The Energy Gap 

Understanding your natural tendencies to lead more authentically.

Have you ever noticed that certain leadership tasks—like brainstorming a new curriculum or mediating a departmental conflict—leave you feeling energized, while others—like detailed budget reconciliation or making a quick, top-down decision—leave you completely drained?

This isn’t a sign of a lack of ability; it’s a reflection of your natural leadership tendencies. Many leaders spend years trying to copy the style of a mentor or “classic” administrative archetype, only to find themselves exhausted. True, effective leadership in higher ed isn’t about changing who you are; it’s about understanding the patterns you already follow.

Shift Your Framing: Identify Your “Go-To” Patterns

To lead authentically, you must first recognize your core tendencies. Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership, and you can uncover your patterns by observing three specific areas:

• Reflect on your stress responses: Notice what you default to under pressure. Do you dive into deep analysis, seek immediate input from colleagues, or focus purely on execution? Your stress behaviors often reveal your core strengths in an exaggerated way. Note: An assessment like the Five Paths to Leadership® Self-Assessment can help you to identify how you lead in typical situations and how you lead under stress.
• Examine your energy patterns: Pay attention to which activities feel effortless. Do you feel most alive when problem-solving, building relationships, or strategizing for the long term?
• Seek feedback on your “go-to” moves: Ask a trusted colleague what they see you naturally gravitating toward in meetings or when a project hits a snag. Often, others can spot our natural patterns more clearly than we can ourselves.