Full Description
What does leadership and change actually look like in myriad situations? This "boots-on-the-ground" resource, written by a former dean of education, pulls back the curtain on the crucial and complicated role of senior leadership and brings to the forefront experiences that often go unspoken. With humor and common-sense advice, the author draws on relevant scholarship to uncover the process for succeeding and thriving as a leader. The portrait of a dean is presented as a thoughtful activist whose leadership is defined by careful consideration of the responsibilities of the position and ethical responses to it all. Themes woven throughout the book include staying authentic, having courage, and remaining fair. Learning from the past but presenting a contemporary view, The Successful Dean responds to the rapidly changing context of higher education. Book Features:
Refreshing and uplifting view of the deanship from an experienced dean.
Explores how to maintain thoughtfulness in the stressful life of an administrator.
Offers clear pointers for practice including leading through adversity, as well as being satisfied in and enjoying the role.
Engaging reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
Brief and accessible chapters make this a perfect "go to" resource for deans and other senior administrators, and those who aspire to those roles.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Preamble: What Do You See, Where Are You Going and Why?
Introduction
Piloting the Ship While You Design It
Communities of Practice
A Portrait of Leadership
Why This Book
The Power of Leadership
The Changing Nature and Perception of the University
Ethics, Humor, and Good Old Rock 'n' Roll
Musings, Meditation, and Action
Part I: Seeing Clearly
1. Remember Your Raison D'être: Students
Students as a Central Focus
A Culture of Respect
Support Beyond the Classroom
Mental Health, Safety Issues, and Grievances
Cultivating Awareness
Musings, Meditation, and Action
2. Figure Out Your Boundaries for Myriad Situations
Drawing Lines
Professional Boundaries
Tricky Business
The Face of the College
Beware of Gossip
Musings, Meditation, and Action
3. Plan for Churn and Change
Change in Many Forms: From Structural to Personnel to Personal
Tools for Managing Change
Be Prepared for Personal Change
This Job Is Over!
Musings, Meditation, and Action
4. When Everyone Else But You Appears to Be or Is Wrong or Stupid, Take a Break or Find Another Job
Becoming Tired
Be on the Lookout for Cynicism
Take a Break
Change Jobs
Musings, Meditation, and Action
Part II: Operating From An Ethical Stance
5. Catch the Optimism Bug
What Kind of Optimism Does it Take to Lead?
What Is Your Role as an Optimist to Your Boss?
Optimism in Time and Space
Musings, Meditation, and Action
6. Keep Your Nose in Everyone's Business
Ways to Get to Know What You Need to Know
The Law is the Law and the Rules are the Rules
Bias Can Creep In
Community Building Happens Through Practice
Musings, Meditation, and Action
7. Never Burn Bridges—With Anyone
Isolation
There Are More Bridges than You Think
Musings, Meditation, and Action
Part III: Practicing Self-Care
8. Remain Authentic—A Pretty Scary Prospect!
Different Kinds of Authenticity
Big Benefits
Things to Think About, Authentically Speaking
Keep Your Sense of Humor
Verbalize Your Thoughts
Plan for the Worst
Musings, Meditation, and Action
9. Avoid Death by a Thousand Cuts
Gender Bias—I Think So
Time to Be Thoughtful
Musings, Meditation, and Action
10. Email and Other Communication Nightmares
Some Helpful Reminders
Other Forms of Communication
Musings, Meditation, and Action
Part IV: Working For A Common Good
11. Be on the Alert for Good Advice and Ideas
Some Advice on Advice
Decisions!
Advice and Power
Musings, Meditation, and Action
12. Constantly Seek Understanding About Yourself as Dean
A Life Jacket
Communication! Communication! Communication!
Musings, Meditation, and Action
13. Read, Listen, and Talk to People
Know and Understand the Context as well as the Content
Some of the Necessary Conversations
Shared Governance and the Role of Faculty
About the Deanship: What Other Scholars Say
Musings, Meditation, and Action
Part V: Having the Courage to Act In Spite of Mistakes and Missteps
14. Is It Courage or Confidence or Dumb Luck?
Delivering Bad News
Controlling Rumors by Staying in Front
Document Your Interactions
Confident?
Musings, Meditation, and Action
15. Step Aside, the Most Important Person in the Room May NOT Be You
Dancing with Elephants
Be the Model for Interrupting Prejudice
Musings, Meditation, and Action
References
Index
About the Author
