In this episode of The Science of Leadership, Tom Collins is joined by Dr. Jay Lemons, President of Academic Search and former president of Susquehanna University, to discuss what organizations truly look for in their leaders. Drawing from a national study and his extensive experience in executive recruitment, Dr. Lemons outlines the most sought-after leadership competencies.

• Timeless Virtues: Dr. Lemons highlights a study of college and university presidents that identified seven core leadership competencies: trust-building, resilience, communication savvy, emotional intelligence, courage, a decisive nature, and resource management. He notes these qualities are timeless and have been key to effective leadership for generations, even before the digital age.

• The Myth of the "Unicorn Leader": The conversation challenges the idea of the perfect leader, or "unicorn," who possesses every desirable trait. Dr. Lemons emphasizes that the best leaders are deeply self-aware of their own limitations and proactively surround themselves with people who have complementary skills and abilities. This collaborative approach, he argues, is where true organizational progress is made, as leadership is fundamentally a "team sport".

• Character as the Bedrock: Dr. Lemons asserts that the most fundamental and "make-or-break" quality for any leader is character or integrity. He states that without it, effective and successful leadership that benefits an institution is not possible. He reinforces that a leader's role is to serve a purpose larger than themselves and their self-interest.

• Practical Wisdom: The episode offers practical advice for aspiring leaders, including being willing to do whatever needs to be done, staying open to new opportunities, embracing loving critics, and understanding that leadership is exercised at every level of an organization.

The episode concludes with the powerful maxim that leadership is a team sport, not a solo act. Dr. Lemons cautions that leaders who take on all burdens by themselves risk cracking under the weight, becoming less effective than they might otherwise be.

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