Effective Leadership Approaches for Staff Success in Kinesiology Units

This paper explores effective leadership approaches that promote staff success in kinesiology units in higher education. Recognizing the essential roles that professional staff play in supporting academic missions, it addresses the prevailing faculty/staff divide that often undermines collaboration and staff recognition. Through an examination of barriers to staff success, this paper highlights systemic issues such as legitimacy, power, and hierarchical dynamics that contribute to a culture of undervaluation. By employing leadership theories such as distributed leadership and fostering dialogue and collaborative practices, kinesiology leaders can bridge the gap between faculty and staff, ultimately enhancing organizational culture and effectiveness. The paper also provides examples of strategies from three different universities that illustrate the benefits of inclusive practices, professional development, and cross-functional teamwork in promoting staff engagement and enhancing student success. Finally, we present actual responses from several staff to key questions about how kinesiology leaders can promote staff success.