Leading in the Mainstream: Ethical Realism and Continuing Education

The primary role of continuing education (CE) is to connect the university and the community. Historically, many CE units have looked to the business world for guidance. As changes in society increase the range and diversity of links between the university and the community, CE leaders are working increasingly within the mainstream of their institutions. While most CE units operate as cost centers and are expected to generate new revenue, business thinking is necessary--but not sufficient--to guide leadership in a more mainstreamed environment. The challenge of leading CE within the mainstream requires a new way of thinking about leadership. This paper will explore how one approach to leadership--the "realism" philosophy that guided US international relations for more than a generation--provides a set of principles that reflect core CE values and that should underlie CE leadership in the changing environment. The principles cited are prudence, humility, study, responsibility, loyalty, and respect for others.