What does leadership look like when authority is not the primary source of influence?
In Part 1 of Episode 8, I sit down with Dr. Lucy Tawidian – Assistant Professor at the American University of Sharjah – to explore leadership within the context of academia, research teams, and student development.
Unlike many traditional leadership settings, academic leadership often relies less on formal authority and more on mentorship, trust, and the ability to develop others.
We discuss the challenges of leading research teams, particularly when encouraging students to take initiative, make decisions independently, and move beyond the expectation of constant supervision.
The conversation also explores the balance between hierarchy and collaboration.
How much structure is needed?
How much autonomy should be encouraged?
And what role does trust play in helping people grow into greater responsibility?
Dr. Lucy shares her approach to creating a supportive environment where research assistants are encouraged to contribute ideas, build confidence, and develop skills that extend beyond individual projects.
We also discuss the realities of balancing leadership responsibilities with competing demands, and how effective delegation becomes essential as responsibilities grow.
Because leadership is not only about directing work.
It is also about investing in people, building trust, and creating opportunities for others to develop.
This episode also marks the beginning of our “Women in Leadership” series, where we speak with accomplished women leaders about their leadership journeys, challenges, and perspectives across different sectors and contexts.
If you’re interested in leadership effectiveness, mentorship, and the role of trust in developing high-performing teams, this conversation is for you.
The views expressed in this conversation do not reflect the institution’s opinions.
