Dr. Kim Burns

How Many Coaching Sessions Do I Need?

Higher Ed leadership consulting for women

Common Coaching Queries for College Leadership I’m often asked this question when I meet new coaching clients. My answer, which some find frustrating, is that it depends. The right number of sessions depends on your goals, your capacity to reflect and take action, your budget, and the level of support you need. Do you need […]

How a Ta-da List Can Boost Your Confidence

To Do List

Ta-da List: Tracking Small Achievements In a podcast conversation with Kate Bowler, educator of educators, Parker Palmer shared that during a debilitating bout of depression, a therapist encouraged him to keep a list of the tiniest achievements. The therapist told him that documenting these micro wins each day would be evidence of his progress, even […]

Tired but Still Showing Up? A Guide to Leadership Burnout in Higher Education

Leadership burnout in higher education; Dr Kim Burns Higher Ed Coach and Consultant

When we talk about leadership burnout in higher education, we’re not just talking about exhaustion… Leading in higher education demands more than strategy and vision; it requires stamina, empathy, and constant adaptation. Between tightening budgets, shifting enrollment patterns, and rising expectations from every direction, it’s easy to miss the quiet signals that your energy, focus, […]

How to Build Self-Trust as a Woman in Academia: Key Strategies

A woman in College leadership depicting self-trust for academic women; Dr Kim Burns Higher Ed Coach and Consultant

Building self-trust as women in academia often means pushing past doubt and grounding ourselves in our own judgment. We encounter many expectations, some written, many implied, that can make us question our competence. Developing self-trust in leadership allows us to make clear decisions and speak with confidence. This ability becomes essential for both career growth and long-term […]

Reflection Prompts For Women In Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Balance

3 leaf plant growth and balance; Dr Kim Burns Higher Ed Coach and Consultant for women in leadership

Every day seems full, yet the list keeps growing. Leadership brings satisfaction and purpose, but it can also feel like too much. For many of us, recognizing how our leadership development unfolds amid overwhelm is the first step toward restoring clarity and resilience. Between responsibilities at work and home, it’s easy to move so fast […]

Building Better Professional Boundaries in Higher Education

yellow line in grass representing Boundaries in Higher education; Dr Kim Burns Higher Ed Coach and Consultant

Professional Boundaries in Higher Education shape how we teach, learn, and collaborate. They define expectations, protect well-being, and create structure in spaces that often demand constant availability. In today’s professional environment, boundary-setting also affects team cohesion and informs how we navigate power dynamics that appear in classrooms, advising relationships, and departmental cultures. When we set […]

Client Spotlight: Ashley Moore

Woman in Higher Ed leadership administration

Career Growth In Higher Ed I am excited to share an interview with my friend and colleague Ashley Moore. Ashley and I collaborated often when we were in our campus-based positions. Currently, Ashley is the Director of Client Sales and Service at FlexProfessionals in Boston. We talked about her transition from higher education to a […]

Celebrating International Coaching Week: The Career Wheel

consultant in higher education admin typing

Today’s tool is the Career Wheel. Similar to the Wheel of Life, it encourages reflection on different aspects of your career and asks you to assign a satisfaction score. The wheel addresses mission & purpose, sense of belonging, physical environment, autonomy, salary & benefits, professional growth, commute and opportunity to use skills and strengths. These […]

Celebrating International Coaching Week with Coaching Tools: The Wheel of Life

three higher ed consultants and coaches

A Great Life Reflection Resource It’s Day #2 of International Coaching Week! Today I want to share a tool that is often used at the beginning of a coaching engagement, the Wheel of Life. This tool asks you to reflect on different aspects of your life and assign a satisfaction score. When you are ready […]