Open Access2: Transitions and Transformations: The Making of Department Chairs
Author(s) -
Hecht Irene W. D.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
to improve the academy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2334-4822
DOI - 10.1002/j.2334-4822.2001.tb00522.x
Subject(s) - task (project management) , focus (optics) , public relations , transition (genetics) , transactional leadership , political science , leadership theory , shared leadership , leadership style , management , psychology , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , optics , economics , gene
When we talk about a need for leadership in higher education, we are in fact demanding that chairs be leaders. Is there then another level of transition that is required today of those who become chairs? Is task mastery a guarantee of being a leader? If there are other adaptations needed, what might they be? That is the focus of this exploration. This chapter examines the theory behind leadership and applies to it models that are aligned with the leadership skills needed for successful chair leadership. This article specifically addresses the role of faculty developers in supporting department chairs in their roles as institutional leaders and visionaries.