Abstract
The influence of a leader depends on their position, the quality of their relationships with those they are striving to lead, what they have done for the organization, what they have done for their colleagues, and who they are and what they represent. Strong academic leaders who continually refine their leadership style can advance through the levels of leadership: position, permission, production, people development, and ultimately, personhood. To do so, one must build relationships, invest in others, and center activities on serving the needs of the people, the organization, and key partners. This necessitates approaching the situation with a strategic question: "How can administrators, faculty/staff, students, alumni, and site leadership work together in a way that encourages both individual and collective success?" In the end, we, as leaders, should strive to positively impact our profession, our organization, and the lives of those we have been entrusted to lead: ascending the levels of leadership helps us do just that.