Aric Short
Professor of Law; Director of 1L Mentoring
Texas A&M University School of Law
Why is teaching leadership in law schools important?
While our students will lead in various capacities when they graduate (and even before), I think a more pressing reason to teach leadership is to encourage students to first lead themselves. The practice of law expects new graduates to be self-directed, motivated, and curious. Studying leadership can help our students embrace these valuable personal and professional characteristics.
If you teach a leadership course, what’s the title and brief description of the course?
Leadership and Interpersonal Dynamics. We study leadership and leadership theory, with a heavy focus on effective relationships. The course also gets students engaged in leadership-related activities, like regular reflections and group projects
If you use a textbook or book, what do you use?
I use Fundamentals of Lawyer Leadership by Leah Teague, Elizabeth Fraley, and Stephen Rispoli. I also assign outside readings.
What’s your favorite leadership book? Why?
Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues, by David Bradford and Carole Robin. This book gives great and practical insights into creating strong relationships, which are a key to effective leadership. Students also respond very positively to it—often telling me that they’ve loaned their copy to friends or family!
What’s your favorite leadership quote?
“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” Ralph Nichols
What, if anything, do you want the reader to know about your views about leadership that doesn’t fit any of the above questions?
I’m a big believer in two simple leadership ideas. First, the best way to learn to be an effective leader is to spend time being a good follower and observing effective (and ineffective) leadership. Second, people can lead from any job title. Leadership isn’t about a position; it’s about whether you can encourage others to actually follow you.