www,princeton.edu/main...In a new book on leadership, former Princeton University and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation President William G. Bowen offers this key piece of advice: "Plan carefully, then execute rapidly."/nIt may sound simple, but it's not always easy to follow, according to Bowen, who has written "Lessons Learned: Reflections of a University President" (Princeton University Press, 2011). The book offers insights into the challenges that almost every college or university president faces -- from cultivating relationships with trustees and recruiting administrative team members to setting academic priorities and fundraising./n"The most important lesson is to listen carefully, find the facts and then decide," Bowen said in a recent interview. "Formulate the question correctly. Assemble the evidence you need to make an informed choice, and then make the choice. But do those things in that order."/n"There are times when it may not be obvious what to do, but you need to do something," Bowen added. "You can see if it works. If it doesn't, you can do something else. But just equivocating is not terribly helpful."

Tags: princeton university education