The Hardest Person You'll Ever Lead Is Yourself

Janek Pfeifer challenges higher ed professionals to turn the mirror inward and rethink what it means to lead, starting with themselves.

About this session

October 13, 2026
12:00 PM ET
AI Engage Fall Summit 2026
Keynote
Leadership & Professional Growth
Day 1: Student Success
Speakers
Janek Pfeifer
Author, Lead Yourself

You spend your career helping students become more than they were before. But when was the last time you asked the same of yourself?

Leadership isn't a title, a position, or the number of people who report to you. It's how you show up when things get difficult. It's the habits you build, the choices you make, and the person you're becoming along the way.

And the hardest person you'll ever lead is yourself.

In this energizing and deeply personal session, Janek Pfeifer challenges higher education professionals to turn the mirror inward and rethink what it means to lead.

You'll explore how fear, habits, personal responsibility, and the small decisions we make everyday shape not only our own lives, but our ability to show up for the students and people who depend on us.

Because doing meaningful work for others starts with doing meaningful work on ourselves.

Come prepared to laugh, reflect, get uncomfortable—and leave thinking differently about the person you're becoming.

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