Search results for ""Author Mary Lou Higgerson""

Conflict can appear with varying degrees of intensity or hostility, but if ignored or managed ineffectively, it can slow or jeopardize an institution's success. Chairs and deans, who have leadership responsibilities to both administrators and faculty, often find a significant portion of their jobs devoted to conflict management. Their leadership success depends on their ability to effectively manage a variety of conflict-laden situations, and negotiate people’s varying needs and personalities. This book, at its core, is about communication strategies that support effective leadership. First it shows how to establish a foundation for effective leadership communication; next, it discusses developing a fair and effective leadership communication style; and finally, it shows how to employ leadership communication to manage especially difficult people, from prima donnas to pot stirrers. Each chapter contains a series of questions and prompts to guide readers through a hypothetical but realistic situation, and encourages them to cultivate and practice the first-person participant and third-person observer roles. By moving between these two perspectives, readers will gain more insight into their own style of managing conflict and understanding of leadership. This skill also permits academic leadership to have more strategic control over the communication in a particular situation, thus empowering them to feel and to be more in control in every situation.

Read more less

Academic administrators occupy a position that is highly complex and entails unrelenting demands such as managing heightened workloads, stretching ever-tightening budgets, and promoting collegiality among intensely driven individuals. At the same time, administrators are facing increased accountability for their job performances. While confronted by these challenges, how can they supply concrete evidence of their accomplishments? The authors of this practical guide recommend preparing an administrative portfolio. Including ready-to-use and field-tested information, The Administrative Portfolio is a hands-on look at the why, what, and how of preparing and successfully using the portfolio. It includes Practical suggestions for getting started and then maintaining the most effective use of portfolios Key issues, red-flag warnings, and benchmarks for success Helpful answers to common questions Differentiation between portfolios for personnel decisions and those that are used for performance improvement A list of 21 possible portfolio items from which administrators can choose the ones most personally relevant A selection of 13 real portfolios from across administration positions and institutions Written for presidents, provosts, academic vice presidents, deans, department chairs, and program directors, The Administrative Portfolio presents as well as demonstrates sensible strategies for how to develop and use a strong portfolio.

Read more less

Complexities of Higher Education Administration Based on extensive experience in administration, in teaching, and in running workshops for administrators, the authors have assembled a collection of cases focused on topics common to academic administration. This book: * offers sixteen generalized cases based on real situations * combines higher education administration and communication theory * includes indices for selecting cases by institution type, level and constituency, issues and tasks, and communication skills * is a valuable resource for practicing administrators * is an ideal text for graduate courses in educational administration, organizational communication, and management.

Read more less