Academic Leadership Day by Day

It can seem at times as though all of academic administration today is focused only on the need for continual change and the endless pursuit of "the big idea." But most academic leaders, from department chairs and program directors through university presidents and chancellors, are far too busy helping their institutions flourish for them to divert critical energy and resources to yet another untried theory or management principle. Academic Leadership Day by Day takes an entirely different approach to developing your proven academic leadership: It introduces one practical and field-tested idea each day for an entire academic year. Rather than requiring you to devote days or even weeks to administrative training (which may prove to be of little use in the end), this manual gives you no-nonsense suggestions that you can consider on even your busiest days. Experiment with the suggestions made each day, discover what works for you, and then build on your successes for the benefit of your institution and its programs. Significant improvements often result from small, gradual, and consistent efforts, and Academic Leadership Day by Day is your guide to becoming a more accomplished, confident academic leader a few minutes at a time.

THE AUTHOR

JEFFREY L. BULLER is dean of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University and author of The Essential Department Chair, The Essential Academic Dean, and The Essential College Professor.

EVERY DAY ACADEMIC LEADERS face desks, inboxes, and schedules stuffed full of meetings, emails, complaints, committees, requests, and the occasional crisis--all competing for scarce time and attention. It's all too easy to lose the forest for the trees--or vice versa--and there are few resources that help leaders rise above the noise of busy lives in the academy. Academic Leadership Day by Day is a hands-on resource designed to give busy, over-scheduled, and over-worked academic leaders at all levels a chance to pause a few moments for useful, wise, and warm-hearted advice. The book is filled with practical insight and suggestions for meeting the challenges of academic administration in a way that reflects how leaders really work. Drawn from both Jeffrey Buller's many years of experience as a department chair, dean, and vice president for academic affairs and feedback from his popular workshops, this handy resource offers both new and seasoned leaders one good idea each day, ideas that can be put into practice immediately. Jeffrey Buller presents suggestions that are designed to encourage leaders to experiment with and discover what works best for them. In just a few minutes each day, leaders can see how significant improvements result from small, gradual, and consistent efforts. From grappling with budget management to thinking about career advancement to navigating the tricky waters of institutional politics, Academic Leadership Day by Day is a daily companion to carry with you in the trenches of academic life.

Praise for Academic Leadership Day by Day "This book is practical, insightful, and immediately useful. It should be on the desk and within easy reach of every academic leader." Peter Seldin, distinguished professor of management, Pace University; coauthor, The Administrative Portfolio: A Practical Guide to Improved Administrative Performance and Personnel Decisions "I'm always impressed by Jeff Buller's ability to cut through jargon and gimmicks to give academic leaders the sort of advice they can really use. There are more good ideas on a single page of this book than in entire volumes many times its size." Walt Gmelch, dean and professor, School of Education, University of San Francisco; author, The Seasons of a Dean's Life "Academic Leadership Day by Day: Small Steps That Lead to Great Success provides precisely what is needed by busy academic administrators who are determined to make a difference. Jeff Buller's insightful suggestions provide the means through which leaders can translate their vision and values into their daily decisions and the strategic positioning of their organizations." Don Chu, dean of the College of Professional Studies, University of West Florida; author, The Department Chair Primer: Leading and Managing Academic Departments

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