Building a stronger relationship with your dean
From: Academic Leadership: A Practical guide to Chairing the Department, by Deryl R. Leaming
- Keep your Dean informed.
- Keep the lines of communication open.
- Take responsibility for your decisions.
- Meet deadlines.
- Stay within your budget
- Know university policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement – and follow it.
- Try solving departmental problems yourself before going to your dean for help.
- Be open with your faculty and share information with them.
- Be a strong advocate for your faculty and department, but be collegial.
- Be honest and forthright.
- Be understanding of your Dean and his or her role.
- Don’t talk behind your Dean’s back.
- Consult with your Dean before making difficult, far-reaching decisions.
- Don’t make problems for your Dean.
- Talk candidly with your Dean from time to time.
- Convey to your faculty a sense of partnership with your Dean.
- Work to become an effective spokesperson for your department.