Business school professors are facing increasing pressure to excel in diverse academic roles that require different knowledge and skills. The multiplicity and diversity of roles evoke the image of the professor as an academic decathlete. In this article, the author explores the metaphor of the academic decathlete through conversations with Professor Tom Lee who has been successful in multiple academic roles. The interview sheds light on the dimensions and capacities of an academic decathlete and various strategies that can be used as academics seek to perform at high levels of excellence in a range of roles.
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