Description
Book SynopsisDeans and chairs, like other leaders everywhere, often rely on narrow views of their organizations that capture only part of the real picture. As a result, they miss out on a rich array of options available to them. Peak Performance for Deans and Chairs molds deans and chairs into better leaders by teaching them a new way of thinking about their universities, colleges, and departments. Reframing is the ability to examine a situation through multiple lenses, which not only enhances understanding of challenges leaders face but also suggests strategies for moving forward. Entertaining and realistic scenarios show deans and chairs grappling with common problems as they attempt to implement change, manage the faculty, deal with budget cuts, and win over the "higher-ups." Some leaders are successful; others fail. This book analyzes the behavior of chairs and deans through the political, structural, human resources, and symbolic frames. Lessons learned from the negative as well as the positive scenarios are highlighted, enabling deans and chairs to easily adapt them to their own situations. The book is the result of a combined effort by a veteran university administrator with many years in the roles of dean and chair and by an internationally known expert on leadership. Together they have produced a rare volume that is as strong in its practical application as it is in its theoretical foundation. The fact that it is also engaging and a fast read should put it on the top of deans' and chairs' must-read lists.
Trade ReviewDuring this economic period when colleges and universities have to do more with less, this timely book presents a multiple frame lens to assist chairs and deans in providing leadership that minimizes conflict and promotes solutions. Through the use of scenarios that are thoughtful, practical, and often humorous, the authors illustrate a broad range of possible strategies for analyzing complex problems in ways likely to be valued and respected by faculty. This highly readable book is a solid contribution to the field. -- Ann S. Bayer, professor, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Hawaii
Peak Performance is essential reading for college and university deans and chairs. Reader-friendly, the stories of failure and success are well told and provide new insights into solving seemingly intractible problems in leading faculty and providing exemplary leadership. This is the book for both aspiring and new deans (and seasoned and retiring leaders) to read to enable them to rethink and reenvision their roles and responsibilities. It offers new ways of doing so in helpful and meaningful ways. -- David Imig, president emeritus AACTE and professor of practice, College of Education, University of Maryland, College Park
This short book provides a welcome addition to the literature on performing well in the role of dean and chair. Written by two individuals, one an administrator at a university with almost twenty years of experience in the roles of dean and chair, and the other a respected author on leadership, the book combines humor with insights into the complexities of serving as an institution's dean or chair. The book also contains a helpful bibliography with many recent titles that is worth its own exploration....This book would have profited me during the beginning of my tenure as dean, especially in avoiding some of the common mistakes that new deans and chairs make. I would highly recommend this resource to anyone who is considering becoming a dean or chair or who presently is one. This engaging book of case studies can make a difference in how one leads and interacts with others. * Teaching Theology & Religion *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: Trapped Between a Rock and a Hard Place Chapter 2 The Way It Is: Ferreting Out Root Stresses and Plotting New Tactics Chapter 3 Change: Stifling Bedlam and Taming Turbulence Chapter 4 Faculty: Confronting Creeps and Cliques Chapter 5 Resources: Stepping Up to Cut Backs Chapter 6 Bosses: Winning over the Higher-ups Chapter 7 The Way It's 'Spozed' To Be: Leadership in Action Chapter 8 Conclusion: Practice and Perseverance
