Tips to reduce the academic leadership learning curve.(IN HER OWN WORDS)

I started my academic career as an assistant professor at my current institution immediately after finishing graduate school in 1993. I was tenured in 2000 and appointed chair of the division of social sciences in July 2007.

Being relatively young and the first nonwhite and female division chair created a few challenges. Compounding the situation was my moving up the ranks rather fast, so that I now supervise my senior colleagues, including those who hired and have mentored me.

Looking back at my first two years, I wonder whether it's any easier to take an administrative position at a new place, where one has the opportunity to redefine oneself and start new. Since I became an administrator at the same school where I received tenure, there was some baggage. But at least I knew most of the players.

Not one to back down from a challenge, I've learned some key lessons in my first two years as an administrator. I'm sharing some of these early lessons and my recommendations, particularly for those contemplating or new to academic administration.

Listen to your office staff.

Your office staff is your primary protective armor, so treat them with respect and seek and listen to their advice. If there are any interpersonal conflicts among your office staff, address them immediately. An office that doesn't both function as a cohesive unit and look out for the well-being of its staff members--both personal and professional--cannot accomplish the unit's mission. You have to get this aspect of your job in order before tackling other issues.

Second, members of your office staff probably have been in their positions longer than you, and have worked with all members of the unit at some level. They often have brilliant insight into faculty psyche and their intrapersonal relationships with other faculty members. They also may be aware of issues that have never crossed your mind as a faculty member, so actively seek their input when appointing faculty members to committee assignments and other tasks.