Academic Leadership a Practical Guide to Chairing the Department

Rating:
Summary: Expert advice on chairing a college department
Review: Dr. Leaming's book provides a comforting reminder that we need not > waste time and energy reinventing the wheel. New and veteran > administrators, particularly at the academic departmental level, can gain > invaluable guidance by taking advantage of Dean Leaming's 30-plus years of > experience. Whatever they are experiencing, he has already been through -- > numerous times. He knows their challenges and anxieties, and, > more importantly, the solutions to them. > > His book is written in plain, easy-to-understand language. It deals > with everyday duties from attracting and hiring the most qualified people > to dismissing those who don't work out, and from encouraging good teaching > and research to dealing with difficult faculty members. The book also > includes helpful summaries, checklists, tables and sample forms. > > Academic Leadership: A Practical Guide to Chairing the Department is a must-have resource book for the newly appointed department head who wantsto avoid the trial-and-error management method. Dr. Leaming has been a department head at five universites and a dean at two. And he has laid out a roadmap that will come in handy continually for even the experienced person who still has a distance to travel down the administrative highway. >

Rating:
Summary: Most helpful book
Review: I am not only new to academic leadership, but I am new to this country. Deryl Leaming's book has served as an enlightening guide for me, and has helped me earn the assistance and respect of my faculty. This book is among the best investments I have made in my academic career. Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Not just practical -- this book is necessary
Review: If you've suddenly found yourself in a leadership role, don't panic. Order this book. Do it right now.

I've only had it a few weeks and it's already saved my career from an early demise. I'll even credit this book with lowering my diastolic blood pressure by five points. My dog-eared copy goes to and from work with me everyday.

Leaming has not only anticipated every possible landmine on the Ho Chi Minh trail of academic leadership -- but he can clearly communicate and expertly tell you how to disarm them before they explode. He shows the reader how to anticipate and prepare for every challenge that will likely arise.

A friend (angel?) sent me this book, gift wrapped, to congratulate me on my recent promotion. It'll be difficult to return that favor.