June 14th, 2024

Someone asked me about suggestions for the next STEM dean at my college. I don't have any specific suggestion for any particular person, but these things seemed to work for me:

1. Innovate.
   
2. Lead, not govern or manage.
   
3. Boost team morale by celebrating progress and achievements.
   
4. Rally the team during both successful and challenging times.
   
5. Admit mistakes and correct them promptly instead of arguing.
   
6. Be nice to those who are nice to me. Be respectful and fair to those who are not.
   
7. Attribute success to the team. Take responsibility for setbacks.
   
8. Acknowledge other people’s experiences and feelings even if I disagree with their views.
   
9. Take every opportunity to recognize and highlight the success of each team member and department.
   
10. Avoid overwhelming others with excessive information, like this lengthy list.