A Tiny Ring of Power: The Department Chair and Golden Role Management

Abstract

A little power is a dangerous thing. Department chairs in small U.S. universities are half faculty members and half administrators. In dealing with the faculty, chairs work in a collegial, Theory Y/Z environment characterized by long-term employment, slow promotion, and a generalist orientation to university governance. In dealing with the university administration, however, chairs operate in a bureaucratic environment. The resulting role ambiguity means that chairs have weak leadership positions—and rightly so.Attempts to put on their little ring of power and rule bureaucratically are likely to be counterproductive. Golden Role Management is recommended as the most adequate philosophy for what should be a limited-term position: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you if the roles were reversed.”