Your Career: Guard against doom-and-gloom messaging

Serious times call for serious leaders, but not pessimistic ones. ADVERTISEMENT [Your Career Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Serious times call for serious leaders, but not pessimistic ones The high rates of turnover and failure among academic administrators are, reciprocally, symptoms and causes of the many crises of higher education. Nevertheless, becoming a full-time pessimist is bad for your institution, undermines the constituencies you serve, and corrodes your soul as a leader — not to mention it hurts your career prospects. A bleak leadership style can and should be overcome, but by reason and sense, not by ignoring harsh realities. Institutions in many academic sectors are facing serious budget crises, and doomsayers feel they are often just being pragmatic. The game can indeed be fixed against you — but you have to play as if winning is a possibility: - If you go into a big meeting thinking that your proposal will fail, you undermine its quality and your sales skills, even unconsciously. Your audience can often tell when you don’t quite believe what you’re advocating. - In dire times, confidence (without crossing over into delusion) can be inspiring. Our woes will not be solved by just giving up, and the people who have mentally surrendered to despair will definitely not get their proposals and budget requests supported. - Accepting failure as the norm will eat away at your soul and make your time as a leader all the more painful. Continue reading: “[Admin 101: Be a Realist, Not a Pessimist]( by David D. Perlmutter Share your suggestions for the newsletter with Denise Magner, an editor at The Chronicle, at denise.magner@chronicle.com. If you’d like to opt out, you can log in to our website and [manage your newsletter preferences here](. ADVERTISEMENT SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. UPCOMING PROGRAM [The Chronicle's Library and Institutional Success Program | July 2024] The Chronicle is partnering with Ithaka S+R to host a brand new [professional development program for librarians]( in July. This innovative two-week program will help library leaders understand the many roles they might take on, boost the success of the campus library, and better align with their institution’s goals. Learn more about our seminars and workshops, and [register today]( LATEST CAREER ADVICE, OPINION, AND NEWS ADVICE [Should You Use Your Classroom as a Lab?]( By James M. Lang [STORY IMAGE]( Faculty members are swimming in useful research on teaching. But it’s vital to trust your own instincts, too. SPONSOR CONTENT | Washington State University [Facing the Climate Challenge]( ADVERTISEMENT [Should You Use Your Classroom as a Lab?]( AUTHOR Q&A [Can a State Really Control a Classroom?]( By Emma Pettit [STORY IMAGE]( A constitutional scholar says there are “meaningful constraints” on the government’s power over pedagogy. At the same time, universities need to be wary of ideological conformity. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [The Harvard Corporation Tries to Kill Faculty Governance]( By Andrew Manuel Crespo and Kirsten Weld [STORY IMAGE]( This is about a lot more than one university’s disciplinary action. THE REVIEW | OPINION [It’s Time to Stop the Double Talk Around Diversity Hiring]( By Matt Burgess [STORY IMAGE]( First, let’s admit that it’s happening. 'YOU DROP OUT, YOU LOSE EVERYTHING' [Is a Celebrated STEM Program Engaged in Hazing?]( By Maggie Hicks and Katherine Mangan [STORY IMAGE]( Alums of a summer boot camp created to nurture Black Ph.D.s say it’s both transformative and traumatic. FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Future of Diversity Training - The Chronicle Store]( [The Future of Diversity Training]( Diversity training for faculty and staff members is widely used across higher education. Yet there’s little agreement on whether such training is effective. [Order this report]( for insights to improve your college’s approach to building a culture that supports diversity. What we’re reading Here’s more on career issues and trends from around the web. See something we should include? [Let me know](mailto:denise.magner@chronicle.com?subject=Your Career feedback). - A [report]( in The Wall Street Journal on “America’s commute” to work says it’s “getting longer and longer.” - Looking for some reading recs for your summer break? The New York Times has new lists on [crime]( novels, [historical fiction]( [thrillers]( [romance]( and [horror](. - In the Harvard Business Review, [advice]( on “setting boundaries with your mentor.” MORE CAREER RESOURCES [Improving the First-Year Experience]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: June 12, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Freshman year is make or break for many students, especially those with social, emotional, or logistical challenges. Join us to explore how to make the first year great for those students. With Support From Mongoose. [Register here.]( DATA [College Closures Are in the News. But Higher Ed Added Thousands of Programs Over the Past 2 Decades.]( By Brian O’Leary and Audrey Williams June [STORY IMAGE]( Here is a closer look at how nearly 23,000 new academic programs were added from 2002 to 2022. DATA [Tracking Higher Ed’s Dismantling of DEI]( By Erin Gretzinger and Maggie Hicks [STORY IMAGE]( We’ve documented actions taken on dozens of campuses to alter or eliminate jobs, offices, hiring practices, and programs amid mounting political pressure to end identity-conscious recruitment and retention of minority staff and students. [The Trends Report 2024]( [STORY IMAGE]( Our annual investigation into the most consequential developments in higher education. JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Visiting Assistant Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences]( Bates College [Search other jobs.]( Stay ahead of the game and upload your resume to our job board. You'll be visible to hiring managers who are actively seeking top talent like you. [Upload your resume today.]( CAREER RESOURCES [Read the June collection]( for advice on finding a job as a new PhD grad. Learn how you can manage job market expectations, dually apply for industry and academic roles, and more! 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