A president presents a vision, which must be shared by others or you're wasting your time. Let other people seem like the initiators. Find people with good ideas and encourage them. Appoint committees to work on big issues. Meanwhile, help bring in grants and projects.
Specific initiatives come from outstanding faculty members.
Well, maybe 89 percent. Much of my effort goes into fundraising, but people won't give unless they're convinced the institution has a great program run by good people. Being intelligent, a leader in your field, and committed to great teaching. That person must have a knack for conveying the beauty and excitement of the discipline. Leaders in the research also usually excel at teaching and inspiring others.