Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: A Collaborative Syllabus for Higher Education Leadership book cover with bright geometric shapes in background
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doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa11

ISBN: 978-1-64317-593-5

April 2026

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ISBN: 978-1-64317-592-8

April 2026

This chapter introduces the idea of “non-authoritative leadership”– leadership that involves the responsibility for institutional-level activity, but without the direct authority to make changes. In this case, Blankenship describes how he drew on ideas rooted in Aristotelian rhetoric and feminist theory to engage faculty in the process of assessing learning in their programs, something that those same colleagues had long tired of under previous leaders. Blankenship describes implementing core tenets of Aristotle’s ideas of logos, pathos, and ethos enables him to lead from the center rather than above to affect institutional engagement. 

Related Book Resources

These videos extend the chapter’s focus on leading without formal authority by illustrating how leadership emerges through communication, credibility, and shared purpose. Drawing on Chris Blankenship’s reflections, the resources explore how values, rhetoric, and strategic prioritization shape efforts to engage others in institutional work such as accreditation and assessment.

Radical Transparency as a Principle for Leadership

Chris Blankenship discusses how honesty, openness, and accountability guide leadership decisions and build trust within organizations.

Navigating Priorities When Values are in Tension

Chris Blankenship explores strategies for balancing competing priorities while staying aligned with personal and institutional values.

Video coming soon

Discussion Questions

Blankenship invokes the idea of “responsibility without authority” in this chapter. He then cites this position as one that made it more possible for him to engage in leadership activity. What is your perception or experience of leadership? From what position(s) do you feel you’ve been most effective, and what enabled that activity?


Cite this Chapter

Blankenship, Chris. 2026. “Learning to Lead without Authority: Accreditation and Assessment Mandates.” In Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: A Collaborative Syllabus for Higher Education Leadership, edited by Linda Adler-Kassner and Chris W. Gallagher. Elon University Center for Engaged Learning. https://doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa11.3.