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A collection of articles and advice on communication, managing relationships, other topics of interest to faculty members and academic leaders.

Dear Faculty Relations is a regular feature in the two newsletters published by The Office of Faculty Affairs. The Faculty Development & Support (FDS) is directed to tenured faculty, faculty on the tenure track, and faculty on the instructor/ clinical track. The Academic Leaders Institute (ALI) newsletter is directed to academic leaders, such as deans, associate deans, chairs, and associates. 

Do you have a question for Dear Faculty Relations? Ask us using the form below and we will try to get it answered in future newsletters!

Lonely - December 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: The pandemic may be “over,” but I find that a lot of my work as a faculty member is either alone or on Zoom. Don’t get me wrong, I like to work in the library. But I don’t always feel like I have a real professional community at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder. What can I do to connect with my colleagues? — Lonely in the Library 

I've Resolved a Complaint, Now What? - November 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: One of my colleagues brought a complaint to me, and after several weeks, I resolved it through the PRR. Now that it’s over, how do I follow up with the colleague who brought the complaint? —&�Բ�����;Wary Leader &�Բ�����;

Producing Research on the Teaching Track- November 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I love to teach, and I know this is my primary responsibility as a teaching professor, but should I try to keep investing in my research agenda? —&�Բ�����;Research Active Teaching Prof 

Intent vs. Impact - October 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’m fielding student complaints about a faculty member’s tone in the classroom. I’ve known this colleague for years and I really value them, but sometimes there’s a disconnect between their good intentions and the impact of their words. Can you share ways to address this?  —&�Բ�����;Frazzled Chair 

Innovation Unleashed - October 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I have this idea and think it could become a business. Can the university help me? —&�Բ�����;Dreaming Big

Restorative Justice - September 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Our unit is trying to turn the corner with a formerly abrasive colleague. They know they've caused harm, and I really want us all to move forward. Can you suggest some practices that move beyond punishment and help us to repair our relationships?  — Hopeful Chair  

Controversial Content - September 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I teach a class with controversial material. I’m nervous about handling subject matter that might blow up in my face, but I don’t want to skip these topics either. Help! — Worried ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Controversy 

Believes in Belonging - August 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations:  I'm an academic leader committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all faculty in our department. How should I focus my efforts? —&�Բ�����;Believes in Belonging 

Freedom of Expression - August 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: From cancel culture to campus protests to the upcoming election, it feels like we are in a crucible for free speech rights. What constitutes free speech on campus and how can I make sure to respect those rights while taking care of myself and my students? —&�Բ�����;I Respect Free Speech 

What Did I Just Sign Up For? - July 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’m new to my leadership role and it truly is a brave new world. Before I rush headlong into my job, can you tell me how the university understands my responsibilities as an academic leader?  –&�Բ�����;Trepidatious  

Summer Writing Roadblocks - July 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: We’re several weeks into the summer break and let’s just say I haven’t hit my writing goals. I need your sympathy, but more importantly, I need tools. What does my brain need to stay on track?  – Thoroughly Blocked 

Supporting International Colleagues - June 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve heard from my international colleagues that they often feel isolated and invisible as they navigate the US higher education system, learn unspoken departmental norms and expectations, and develop new professional and personal relationships while living far away from friends and family. What can I do to make my department a more inclusive space for international faculty? –&�Բ�����;Inclusive Colleague  

Best Practices for Campus Leaders - May 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: It’s two years into my leadership role, and I’m short on time and long on conflict. Do you have any top-shelf advice to share? – In Need of a Boost    

Burned Out - May 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: May is here and I feel like a candle burned to the end. But I committed to writing two book chapters this summer. Help! –&�Բ�����;Burned Out 

Insights from Leadership - April 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I serve in a leadership role in my unit and I’m curious to explore more senior roles. Do current campus leaders have any insights to share from their own paths?  –&�Բ�����;Curious to Serve 

Destination: Tenure - April 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I recently commenced my journey down the tenure track and aspire towards a successful tenure review.  How do I chart my course? – Navigating Towards Tenure 

Granting Credit Toward Tenure - March 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: My department is about to hire an excellent new tenure-track assistant professor from another university where she has already served as a faculty member for 3 years. She is asking whether her work at her current institution can count toward tenure here. How should I advise her? –&�Բ�����;Chair Wanting to Give Good Advice 

Religious Accommodations - March 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve heard that our obligation to provide accommodations to students for religious observances has changed recently. Can you give me an update so I can do what is needed? – I Want to Get It Right

Prioritizing Faculty Wellness - February 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: With so much emphasis on student wellness, how can I also support faculty in utilizing what’s available to prioritize their personal health and wellness? – Trying to Lead by Example 

Impostors Unmasked - February 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Do I have impostor syndrome, or am I just lacking confidence? I feel like I don't belong. –&�Բ�����;Stressed Out &�Բ�����;

Valuing Teaching and Clinical Faculty - January 2024 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve heard some of our teaching and clinical faculty feel like department outsiders. Do you have any tips on how to integrate teaching and clinical faculty in departments better and help them feel valued? – Wanting Everyone Included 

Disappointing FCQs - January 2024 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: “Help! I got my FCQs back, and they are awful. What do I do?!” –&�Բ�����;Unlucky and NOT in Love (with my FCQs) 

Faculty Mentoring - December 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: When I joined the faculty at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder, I was assigned a mentor by my department, but although they were well-intentioned, they didn’t know how to provide the kind of support I needed as an early-career professor. Now that I have been here for several years, I want to be a mentor to others, but I’m not sure how best to support them. What advice do you have to be a great faculty mentor? – Want to Pay It Forward  

Responding to Difficult Feedback - November 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I have struggled to effectively respond to feedback and criticism when I’ve impacted someone with my words or actions. I want to be open to the possibility that I have caused harm, especially because that is never my intent. How can I handle these situations without getting defensive? –&�Բ�����;Trying to Remain Open &�Բ�����;

Animals in the Classroom - November 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: A surprising number of dogs are in my classroom this semester. I’m unsure if I can ask students about them or how to manage these additional “students.” What can I do? –&�Բ�����;Not a Dog-Sitter 

Strategies for Inclusive Faculty Hiring - October 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Do you have any practical strategies to move our faculty hiring practices forward and not simply engage in a performative check-off practice? – Seeking Meaningful Inclusive Hiring 

Building Community on Campus - October 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations –&�Բ�����;How can I meet other faculty across campus? I feel alone sometimes and would like to engage with other faculty outside my unit, but I'm not sure how. Can you help? – Alone in Atlas 

Job Expectations and Vague Contracts - September 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I have received complaints from postdoctoral fellows who have issues with their faculty/PIs about how their jobs have changed since they were first hired; for example, being moved to an entirely new project and research area, working extended hours, not receiving adequate communication or guidance. They are confused about original contractual arrangements that appear vague. What is the best way to approach this issue when it festers negativity between mentors and their postdocs? –&�Բ�����;Chair Wondering about Vague Contracts

Welcoming New Colleagues - September 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: When I was hired several years ago, I sat in my new office alone. The first week I thought everyone was too busy to say hello, but as the semester went on, not one person ever stopped by to welcome me. This year there is a new faculty member in our department, and I want to be sure that the same thing doesn’t happen. What can I do to welcome my new colleague warmly? –&�Բ�����;Collegial Colleague

Is AI the End of Academic Writing? - August 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: My students are required to complete academic writing assignments as part of their course assignments. Students ask if they can use AI to complete them. Is this an appropriate path? –&�Բ�����;I have AI anxiety

Abrasive Behavior - July 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: One of our colleagues has a knack for rubbing people the wrong way. Their words and actions are harsh, aggressive, and confrontational. They make me and others feel uncomfortable, intimidated, and even fearful for psychological safety. How might I address this to create a better departmental culture? –  Abused in Boulder

Navigating Gossip - July 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Everyone here is a gossip. It’s causing me to avoid the office. Is there anything I can do? – Distrustful 

Making the Most of My Summer - May 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: You may recall my note from last year. I reached out in a bit of a panic in July because I felt, once again, like I was coming up short in terms of summer productivity. I’m being proactive this time – reaching out as the semester ends. I’m still worried, though, that I’ll feel bad about my productivity come August. I would love advice on how to set myself up for a successful summer. –&�Բ�����;Making the Most of My Summe​r

Retaining BIPOC Faculty - April 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Over the last decade, we have lost several BIPOC colleagues in our unit. Sometimes, we didn’t even get a chance to counteroffer. In my leadership position, I want to ensure we do everything possible to retain our colleagues and be aware of issues that may drive our BIPOC colleagues to seek positions elsewhere. What can I do? – Seeking Greater Awareness

How Do I Engage with a Hostile Colleague? - April 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I have a colleague who has been increasingly hostile to me. They have sent upsetting emails and have engaged in some aggressive personal interactions. I’ve tried to defuse the situation, but nothing is changing. I have to continue working with this individual, but the situation is getting increasingly worse. What can I do? – Feeling Overwhelmed 

Is an Online Presence Necessary? - March 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I am a faculty member engaged in research, teaching, and service activities. Most days, it is a struggle to stay afloat. Recently, a colleague mentioned that I need to have a social media presence and brand myself and my research online. Why should I care about having a social media account? – Your Anti-Social Media Professor 

Tips for Prioritizing - February 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: How do I know what I should prioritize? Now that the semester has begun, I am feeling overwhelmed and rushed but not accomplishing much. I have no idea where to begin. – Time is Getting Away

Coaching Your Staff - January 2023 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: What is meant by holding a coaching discussion with staff? How can I be an effective supervisor? – Effective Supervisor

Better Mentoring of Your Grad Students - January 2023 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I am overwhelmed by one of the many new (to me) aspects of this job. I’m in my second year in my tenure-track position and am now primary advisory to two doctoral students, one in their first year and one in their third. I feel like I was JUST in their shoes (and, really, I was, having gone straight from completing my Ph.D. to my current position). I understand that this is not unusual, but I’m feeling pretty lost and want to do a good job. Can you share some tips? – Advisee to Advisor Flip 

Advice From Your Dean - November 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: What do you wish you had known earlier in your career about being a leader? I'd appreciate hearing from our deans. – Looking for Advice

Personal Pronouns Matter - November 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: There seems to be a rapid change in the number of students using different pronouns, such as they, them, theirs, or xe, xem, xeirs. These pronouns sound out of place, and I wonder about their grammatical correctness. How should I address students in my classes who have made requests to use such pronouns? – What is Up With Pronouns? 

Stay Interviews - October 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: With all the talk around the great resignation and re-evaluation, I'm worried about those around me either leaving or being disengaged in their work.
How do we keep our people? –&�Բ�����;Fearful of the Great Resignation

Imposter Syndrome - October 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Sometimes I feel like I don’t know what I am doing, and it is only a matter of time until I am "found out". What can I do? – Feel like a Fake

Worried Incoming Chair - September 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I was elected as the department chair last spring and began on July 1. While I am very excited to lead the department and positively impact our faculty, students, and staff, I have some concerns keeping me up at night. I am worried about the role of our outgoing chair, a full professor with a strong personality and connections both within and outside the university. I am also an associate professor in our department with aspirations to go up for promotion to full. Do you have any advice for me? – Worried Incoming Chair 

I Just Got Here, Now What? - September 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I was beyond excited when I received a job offer for a tenure-track faculty position here at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ last winter. It was my top choice, the culmination of years of work, the entry point to my dream career, and the perfect motivator for completing my dissertation on time! Well, I've moved my family across the country; I'm trying to manage all the logistics of the move, settling in, and starting 1) a new job and 2) my first (and hopefully for the foreseeable future) tenure-track position. I'm so overwhelmed; honestly, I'm not even sure what my questions are! - I'm Here, Now What

Welcome New Faculty Aboard! - August 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: We spent months recruiting and hiring a new faculty member. Now that they have arrived, I’m not sure what is important to do next to make sure we can retain them. – The Chair Who Values New Hires

Creating a Sense of Belonging - August 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: As the semester begins, how should I approach creating a great classroom experience for my class and fostering a sense of belonging? I hear that a sense of belonging is positively associated with academic success and motivation. - Caring Faculty

Performance Planning - July 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I just completed my employee's year-end review. Is it already the start of the new performance cycle? What should I do? How do I plan? - Planner

Save My Summer - July 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: HELP! I’m in my third year in a tenure-track position and am freaking out. For the past two summers, I’ve had big plans for writing. I’ve fallen short each summer, and when I heard those July 4th fireworks, I thought, “Here we go again.” At the same time, I’m still exhausted from the past academic year. How can I manage the competing goals of finding time to recover (I have young children, so “me time” is limited) while keeping up with my writing to be “on track” for reappointment? - Save My Summer

Staff Evaluations: Year-end Evaluation - June 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I know performance reviews have to be done next month for my university staff and research faculty. What does a successful year-end review look like?  - Anxious Supervisor 

Supporting Your Resiliency - June 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations:  I think I may be burning out.  I have noticed that my physical energy levels are not quite the same as they used to be.  It is a struggle to stay asleep at night, which makes waking up a challenge, and I feel my energy levels remain sluggish throughout the day.  On top of that, I find myself with a shorter fuse than usual and making silly mistakes in my writing, teaching, and other work.  I think stress might be the culprit, but the demands of life make it challenging to work on self-care, which only exacerbates my stress levels.  I feel like I am caught in a loop.  What do you suggest? – Burnt out 

Conflicts of Interest and the Breakdown of Trust - May 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I currently chair a department with an outstanding reputation. We built our program by attracting faculty from the strongest departments in our field, including the department where I received my Ph.D. degree. This esteemed department has hired some of our PhDs, including one of my students. 
Our department is currently engaged in a contentious search for a new colleague. Although we have an excellent applicant from this esteemed department, some of my colleagues are concerned that I, as Chair, may have a conflict of interest. As it turns out, the applicant's advisor is a former student of mine, perhaps the most brilliant student I have ever had the pleasure to teach. I trust my former student who says we should hire this applicant! What should I do? – Chair Who Knows Brilliance

Amorous Relationships - May 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: There has been headline news about the reckoning over office romances. Is it okay to date someone in my unit? - Interested in a relationship

Why Comply? - April 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Why does it matter that the faculty in my unit complete the DEPA form? What can I say to sway them of its importance? - Compliance Weary

Work-Life Balance - April 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I often find myself spending more hours on my work and research than what is even expected of me from my department. This has created some problems at home—I feel distracted or less available to my family and friends. Is there something that can be done? – Stretched Too Thin

What to do when a student is displaying concerning behavior or is in crisis - March 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I am worried about a couple of my students. I got an email from a student’s parent saying their child is in the hospital. When another student was in my office a few weeks ago, they reported feeling anxious and, at times, depressed. I haven’t seen them in my class since then. I’m unsure if they have support resources in place. Should I refer them to you? – Concerned about Student

Stuck in Associate Land - February 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I am an associate professor, and I have been at this rank for over a decade now. In my case, I have been asked repeatedly to serve in administrative roles, such as the department’s associate chair and later as the department chair. I haven’t had enough time to pursue my research. I suspect other faculty members, particularly BIPOC and women faculty members, are in a similar boat with increased service loads or other responsibilities and circumstances, which prevent them from meeting the standards for promotion to full. Are we all destined to be career associate professors? – Stuck in Associate Land

Advice from a Veteran Chair - February 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’m both excited and nervous about my new position as the Department Chair. What can I do to help myself and my department thrive? – New Academic Leader

Creating Collaborative Classroom Norms - January 2022 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve had students make ignorant comments during class. How do I deal with microaggressions and other problems I see happening in my classroom and manage discussions about sensitive or difficult topics? – Teachable Moments

When Faculty or Staff Display Concerning Behavior - January 2022 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I have noticed a change in behavior from one of the faculty in my department. Lately, they just don’t seem like themselves and most recently, they had an outburst in our department-wide meeting and started yelling at their colleagues unprovoked. What resources are available to me to address this situation? – Concerned ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Behavior 

What's the Law Got to Do With It? - December 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I know the PRR is an Academic Affairs Policy; does it have legal implications too? – Worried about the Law

Protecting Your Job: The Family Medical Leave Act – What’s in it for me? - December 2021 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I need to take some time off to deal with my health issues. Why do I need leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if I am a tenured/tenure-track faculty member? How is it in my best interest to file for leave under the FMLA when I have accrued sick leave? What happens if I need to be out past the 12-week FMLA entitlement? – Needing time off

Overwhelmed with Service Responsibilities - November 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I am a junior faculty member on the tenure track. I will be coming up for tenure in three years. My department is attentive to spreading service assignments equitably among all faculty members; however, this year's service assignments are especially time-intensive. I have also agreed to serve on college-level committees and on committees for professional associations, which also require significant investments of my time. While I am committed to the goals of these service assignments and want to continue to do well as a teacher, I am concerned that this heavy service load, in conjunction with my teaching, will take time away from my research activities as I move closer to tenure. What should I do? – Service Scholar

Seen but not Heard - October 2021 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I find my department’s faculty meetings irksome. The chair never calls on those of us who are pre-tenured, and as a result, only the senior members of the department shape important policy decisions. My other junior colleagues say, “Why talk? Someone will hold it against you when you come up for tenure.” Are they right? I am frustrated at being seen but not heard. – Seen but not Heard

Complicity and the Chair: Maintaining a Positive Environment - August 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Several faculty members came to my office wringing their hands about the behavior of a colleague who frequently interrupts others, raises their voice, and bangs on the table during meetings. The faculty member is also known to be spiteful, having tanked a person’s tenure years ago; others are afraid to speak up. They aren’t alone, I’ve witnessed this and have felt the same way, and I don’t want to deal with it. For our new faculty coming to their first meetings, this behavior feels particularly threatening and intimidating. I know this colleague well and understand the newish faculty fright, but I am used to it and would rather not engage. I checked the personnel files, and there are no notes that any supervisor has ever reported or dealt with this behavior before, even though it has gone on for a long time. I want to let it go. – Uncomfortable Chair

The Rules Do Not Apply - August 2021 FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: An untenured faculty member came up to me (I am a tenured, full professor in the department) with concerns about the shifting nature of the department culture, the unwritten rules for how decisions are to be made. They told me they had been quietly waiting for three years to access a parking spot near the building they work in and believed they were next in line for one. Instead, the nearby parking spot was assigned to a newly hired faculty member. They then asked me to advocate for them. How do I support my untenured colleague? And how do we navigate these unwritten rules? – Supportive Full Professor

"The PRD is history. The PRR is where it’s at.” - June 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: What is the difference between the PRD versus the PRR? – Lost in the Alphabet Soup

TA/GPTI Professionalism is Faculty Professionalism - April 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: A faculty member reported a student in violation of the Honor Code and shared emails and a zoom recording as part of the supporting documents. I was dismayed to learn the TA screamed at the student and described the student as a sociopath to another colleague. Does the PRD apply to graduate students too? – TA Supervisor

"Primum non tacere. First, do not be silent." - March 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: The same people bully and dominate our meetings. Everyone knows they are problematic, yet at meetings, everyone is silent. How do we speak up? - Silent

Sanction is a Contronym - February 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I was told that a faculty member acted unprofessionally. I’m the Supervising Administrator. I checked out the allegation and found it was true. What next? How do I sanction? - Sanctioner

Accountability - January 2021 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Our department has a tenured full professor who doesn’t show up to meetings, which results in other faculty having to take up the slack. I don’t know what to do when this person doesn’t do their job. Can I hold them accountable? - Accountable

Overcoming Conflict Avoidance - December 2020 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: Dealing with faculty members who are not respectful or collegial, whether in meetings or over email, overwhelms me. I know it’s my job, but I’m not very good at handling confrontational interactions. How can I address this? - Conflict Avoidant

No Response to Emails - November 2020 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: What can I do about a faculty member who doesn’t respond to emails or submit required activity reports, like FRPA or DEPA? I email reminders; they say they’ll get around to it but don’t. Sometimes they also ignore my emails. I have more urgent matters to attend to, and besides I resent having to baby-sit adults, so I let it go. Should I? - Fed Up

The Bully - October 2020 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: An untenured faculty member came to me with concerns that a senior faculty advisor bullies them. How do I resolve this? - Stuck in the Middle 

No Mask and Too Close for Comfort - September 2020 ALI Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I received a report of a professor wearing only a face shield with no face mask and had his face shield lifted above his mouth during class. Also, he walked within three feet of several students while teaching. What can I do? - Too Close for Comfort  

Insights from John P. Frazee, Former Director of Faculty Relations, University of ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder

Why We Can't Just Get Along  In this essay, John Frazee explains why academics sometimes struggle to maintain good working relationships.

Don't Hit Send Until You Read This  John Frazee takes on one of the biggest sources of conflict: email.

New Kid on the Block  Being the new kid on the block -- a junior faculty member newly arrived on campus -- presents multiple challenges you’ll need to manage to lay the foundation for a successful career. John Frazee offers some advice.

The Old New Kid on the Block  Joining a new institution as a senior faculty member or administrator presents many challenges. John Frazee offers some advice for managing them.

A Different Kind of Career Capstone  Forging a different path in academia, John Frazee discusses the importance of conflict management and resolution as an academic leader. 

"Bullying": How Helpful Is the Term?  John Frazee speaks to the importance of using appropriate terms to describe inappropriate behavior, in an effort to avoid diverting attention from real issues in the workplace. 

"Wicked" Colleagues  John Frazee discusses parallels between the Broadway hit “Wicked” and what value can be found in hearing all sides of a story. 

Advice from a Veteran Chair  A chair with years of experience offers candid reflections and advice on the role. 

Listening is a Difficult (and Essential) Leadership Skill  A neuroscientist explains the difference between hearing and listening. 

Miscommunication  John Frazee shares thoughts on miscommunication, misunderstanding, and curiosity. 

What's an Apology?  John Frazee offers definitions and examples of what is (and is not) an apology.