“Making people do what you think they ought to do does not lead toward clarity and consciousness. While they may do what you tell them to do at the time, they will cringe inwardly, grow confused, and plot revenge.”

--from John Heider (1985), The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu’s Te Ching Adapted for a New Age .

“By starting with results, there’s a much greater likelihood that participants will develop missing competencies, acquire needed knowledge, and behave as better role models… Why? Because they’ll see more clearly the link between results and the attributes required to obtain vital outcomes.”

--from Jack Zenger, Dave Ulrich and Norm Smallwood (2000). “The New Leadership Development” Training and Development 54(3), p. 25.

Why study leadership? What's in it for you as a student, staff member, or faculty? What are the results?

Simple: you'll better understand leadership. As a result, you'll be more equipped to support the work of the people and communities you care about. A clear understanding of leadership means you'll be an effective participant in the leadership process.

The Hess Center for Leadership and Service provides opportunities for learners to

practice leadership,
develop a rigorous theoretical understanding of leadership, and
critically reflect on the practice of leadership.

How do we understand leadership? In our view, leadership refers to the struggle groups undertake to establish their identity, set their direction, build commitment, and address the problems they confront. Nations, organizations, classrooms, and informal groups engage in leadership. Every member has a part to play.

The College provides endless opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to demonstrate leadership. The Hess Center supports these endeavors and seeks to provide a context where those engaged in leadership can be critically reflective and thus more effective.

Learn more about the programs specific to the Hess Center: