The 2022 NCEE Leadership Survey set out what university leaders were worried about. It particularly highlighted that universities had been facing continual change and complex challenges, and dealing with uncertainty and further rapid change were found to be the most significant issues institutions face. Look at any theory of leadership and there is always a section on change and innovation. It is almost as though innovation is seen as the Holy Grail to deal with change but seldom do the same books or articles set out why innovation is so important or why it is often seen as so difficult to create an innovative culture. Based on over 30 years in higher education with some time now to reflect, not just do, I have developed some thoughts which I hope may go some way to answering some of these questions and provide some sort of a model which leaders could adapt and use in their own specific circumstances to create and sustain innovation in their institutions.
