June 16th, 2007
Becoming Chair, thinking about leadership
I must confess that I hear an enormous sucking sound the closer I get to July 1, 2007–the day I become the new Chairman (Chair is the non-sexist version) of the UCLA Music Department. I know that scientists do blood tests on people like me and find that the testosterone levels are rising as well as my serotonin levels – all part of my body’s plan to ramp me up to become an alpha-male - at least for a while. And at the end of my chairmanship, those levels will slide back to civilian levels.
I have been reading books on leadership; funny, I never learned about leadership in college. One doesn’t always truly respect and appreciate good leadership until one faces it themselves. I now look back at Chairs and leaders I’ve known with a different perspective.
The aspect of “professional distance” is one that each leader must determine themselves. Measuring tough love with my own cosmic predilection to like and care about people will be an interesting challenge. Learning to be oneself in a leadership role should be simple, but is surprisingly tricky. I must realize that I am no longer only Roger, colleague and friend, but also Roger, the Chair; and must incorporate that subtle difference into my existing personality and life habits, both on campus and in the community–but NOT at home, thank you very much.
I’ve been meeting with the staff over the past few weeks, learning what they do and listening to them. It’s a terrific group and I look forward to working with them. Next I’ll be meeting with a variety of Chairs on campus to eagerly listen to their advice. Then, next fall, I’ll meet with all the faculty, individually, draw a line in the sand, and move on. After a few weeks I’ll hold a town hall type meeting for all faculty, staff, and students.
Leadership carries with it a certain amount of stress. I’ve learned that we CHOOSE to be stressed. A little bundle of neurons in our brain starts developing whenever we activate that choice. I am making a concerted effort to choose NOT to stress out, but develop a neuron bundle that tells my body to secrete mellow but firm biochemicals. And it’s working.
[Image: RB's scan of a plate from "Taps for Private Tussie" (1943) by Jesse Stuart, with illustrations by Thomas Hart Benton.]
June 16th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Thoughtful piece, but, boy!, did you miss the perfect title; one which you supplied yourself in the body of the piece: “Roger The Chair”.
Much luck and my best wishes to you in your new post as … well, you know.
ACD
June 16th, 2007 at 6:34 am
[lol] I’ll wait till July 1 for that title AC, my Dean has made it clear: NOT TILL JULY 1, even tho I’m chomping at the bit…
June 16th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Always wondered what happened to your grandmother’s book, “Taps for Privete Tussy”. The Tussys were a constant presence in her evaluations of the not always neat care of our bedrooms. I read it long ago and have never quite forgotten it. Consider it yours with my blessings and as Mother said,”Don’t keep your house looking like the Tussys live here.” Guess that applies to administration as well.
Citrus
June 16th, 2007 at 7:34 am
I realize that UCLA is an order of magnitude larger than Wesleyan, but Alvin Lucier was a superb chair at Wesleyan and never let the chair interfere with his creative work. Perhaps some of his practice might be replicable at UCLA. Most importantly, he kept some strict disciplines: All paperwork on his desk was taken care of immediately, first thing each morning, so that his desk was empty of paper by the time of his office hours. Second, he let committees discuss and make recommendations to the whole department, so that department meetings were relatively rare and mercifully brief, with agendas limited to formally deciding matters up or down. Third, he keep strict office hours, and always made time to visit with colleagues and students in informal settings. Although he kept many of his decision-making cards close to the chest, by keeping the presence of the discussion and consultation channels clear and regular, he helped create one of the least paranoid academic environments I have ever encountered.
June 16th, 2007 at 8:22 am
I like Daniel’s suggestions! One more. Don’t let insecurity in leadership become too obvious. Don’t ask too many people what you should be doing. If that feeling gets around people begin to wonder why it’s you and not them in the big chair! Similar to sharks sensing blood in the water. Trust who you are.
June 17th, 2007 at 11:00 am
I have a really good meditation tape somewhere for reducing stress. I’m looking for it now for my own use and trying not to stress out in the process.