Being a department chair can feel like running a small business, yet most professors aren\u2019t trained for that kind of work. Initial data from a new study of department chairs suggest that most don\u2019t even receive training for their role. Moreover, when professors do receive training to be chairs, advice centers on hard skills that may or may not be relevant rather than on interpersonal and other soft skills that can make or break a departmental climate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more \u2018how to do a budget sheet\u2019 or \u2018where do budgets come from,\u2019 as opposed to how to cut a budget,\u201d said Kelly Ward, the study\u2019s co-lead and chair of educational leadership, sports studies and educational and counseling psychology at Washington State University. \u201cIt\u2019s \u2018here\u2019s the annual review process,\u2019 as opposed to do \u2018How do I deal with someone who\u2019s not performing?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward said the lack of both initial and ongoing development for chairs is unfortunate and shortsighted, since good chairs contribute to faculty satisfaction and retention throughout the department, and because department chair is an important pathway to other administrative jobs. So if institutions want to attract strong leaders from diverse backgrounds, she said, it\u2019s wise to help them succeed in what is often their first real leadership role.<\/p>\n
Read the entire post here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Being a department chair can feel like running a small business, yet most professors aren\u2019t trained for that kind of work. Initial data from a new study of department chairs suggest that most don\u2019t even receive training for their role. Moreover, when professors do receive training to be chairs, advice centers on hard skills that… Continue reading