"College and university presidents are shrouded in mystique, balancing consensus-driven leadership with bottom-line business. Grappling with the needs of trustees, students, parents, academic staff, and public policymakers, today's college and university presidents and chancellors face substantial - and risky - challenges." "Gene Budig became the president of Illinois State University while he was still in his thirties. He went on to lead West Virginia University and became the able chancellor of the University of Kansas before assuming the role that would establish his authority on the nature of complicated leadership: the seventh president of baseball's American League. Here, Budig shares his insights with disarming clarity and candor. His broad experience elucidates the "uncommon skills" required to survive, and prosper, in the little-taught and rarely understood profession of university leadership."--Jacket.