tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post4246290683479811565..comments2024-03-10T20:46:19.274-04:00Comments on In the Middle: Blue, wet dayCord J. Whitakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06224143153295429986noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-47576327703224226192009-10-28T00:08:05.311-04:002009-10-28T00:08:05.311-04:00Ah yes, the alpha dog moment. I've seen that m...Ah yes, the alpha dog moment. I've seen that many times over the years as successive male colleagues take the chair and have to weather this. You know, I'm the first woman to do this job in my neck of the woods; I suppose the gender dynamics might vary a bit. I'll report back next year — though with my new chairly discretion, of course!This old world is a new worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567163294720510335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-23161657261904570222009-10-27T19:53:07.092-04:002009-10-27T19:53:07.092-04:00The confrontation thing worried me a little at fir...The confrontation thing worried me a little at first. Luckily I have a sister and a spouse who are seasoned managers. They both talked about the importance of being straightforward and honest (but constructive). My sister used the expression "managerial cowardice" to describe backing down from issues that need to be addressed, and that seemed right. In my experience, addressing someone's failings, issues, potential problems is never as difficult as dreaded and can actually be a helpful encounter.<br /><br />Sometimes of course there is a jerk who either thrives on confrontation or who provokes it for other reasons. I had a faculty member who would predictably attempt an alpha dog moment on me at each faculty meeting. The key was to always keep calm, be patient and measured ... and also rely on other people to accomplish the necessary public shaming such behavior demands, often simply by asking 'What does everyone else think?'<br /><br />Anyway, I am sure you will be a spectacular head of English and Theatre, Stephanie!Jeffrey Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17346504393740520542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-5004542482484469362009-10-27T17:43:11.617-04:002009-10-27T17:43:11.617-04:00This post fills me with no little alarm: as of Jan...This post fills me with no little alarm: as of January 1, I take up a two or three year term as head of the English and Theatre program in my school. Will it be a reign of terror? I know I'm terrified.<br /><br />I can kind of understand there might be some satisfaction in the role, and I have heard similar remarks from other folk. I realise I'm already starting to think about some things I could build and do and bring about, too. <br /><br />But what worries me most is confrontation, at which I am very bad, and the regime of compliance (paperwork, forms, plans, proposals, budget plan) at which I fear I might be rather good.<br /><br />But the main reason I'm doing it is simple: it's my turn.This old world is a new worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567163294720510335noreply@blogger.com