Why leaders accelerate decline when they focus on survival
Preview:
Institutions under financial pressure tend to narrow their focus to cost-cutting and survival, but when survival becomes the strategy, it erodes culture, stifles innovation, and accelerates the very decline leaders are trying to prevent. Drawing on her experience at Tiffin University, the piece argues that financial discipline must be paired with clear purpose, transparent culture, and governance boards willing to ask forward-looking strategic questions rather than just manage risk. Conditions shape the environment, but leadership determines the outcome.
Originally published: May 22, 2026
Author: Lillian Schumacher
Position: President
Institution: Tiffin University
Published by: University Business