Self-Care Guide for Leaders in Higher Education

Gretchen Oltman is an associate professor of interdisciplinary studies at Creighton University, an attorney, and author. Vicki Bautista is the doctor of education program director at Clarkson College, and a board-certified health and wellness coach.

• ContentsAcknowledgments  xi1.  You Matter  1Why You Need a Self-Care Plan for Your Professional Sustainability  1Self-Care  2Professional Sustainability  3A Vision for Self-Care and Professional Sustainability  4Why Professional Sustainability Can Be Challenging  5Are You a Leader?  6Why We Wrote This Book  7Definition of Terms Used Throughout This Book  9How to Use This Book  10Conclusion  112.  Communication Complexities  13Why Do We Struggle With Communication in Higher Education?  13When and Where Did You Learn to Communicate?  14Our Expectations for Perfection Are Created Through Experiences  14Constant Contact in Higher Education  16How Communication Impacts Our Self-Care and Professional Sustainability  18Activity: The 7 Cs of Communication in Higher Education  19Conclusion  22Reflection Questions  223.  Role Clarity or Lack Thereof  23Why We Struggle With Role Clarity in Higher Education  23The Full Plate of Workload  24The Confusion of Role Clarity  24Am I Being Too Nice?  25Don’t Let the Ambiance Fool You  26Activity: Considering and Protecting Your Talents  26Conclusion  30Reflection Questions  304.  Lack of Control  31Why Do We Struggle With Lack of Control in Our Higher Education Careers?  31Lack of Control on the Individual Level  34How Lack of Control Impacts Our Career Sustainability and Self-Care  35Activity: Circle of Control  37How to Use the Circle of Control  39Conclusion  40Reflection Questions  405.  The Desire for Meaningful Recognition  41Why Do We Struggle With Meaningful Recognition in Higher Education Careers?  41Assumptions About Recognition  42What Is Meaningful Recognition in Higher Education?  44Finding Purpose in Performance Evaluations  45How Lack of Meaningful Feedback Impacts Our Self-Care and Professional Sustainability  46Activity: Identifying Your Recognition Style  47Conclusion  49Reflection Questions  506.  Lack of Confidence in Leadership  51Why Do We Lack Confidence in Our Leaders in Higher Education Careers?  51What Happens When We Lack Confidence in Leaders?  52Accidental Leaders  53How Lack of Confidence in Leadership Affects Our Self-Care and Professional Stability  54Activity: Building Trust From Within  54Conclusion  56Reflection Questions  567.  Delegation  57Why Do We Struggle With Delegation in Higher Education?  57Why We Resist Delegation  57A Culture of Mistrust  59How Lack of Delegation Impacts Our Self-Care and Professional Sustainability  60Revealing the Secret of Freedom  62Delegation Determination  62Activity: Delegation Blueprint  63Delegation Checklist  65Conclusion  66Reflection Questions  678.  Professional Stagnation and the Need for Individualized Growth Options  69Why Do We Struggle With Professional Development Offerings in Higher Education?  69Growth Does Not Occur Without Intention  70Changing Needs for Professional Development  70How Professional Development Impacts Our Self-Care and Long-Term Professional Sustainability  72Activity: Creating Your Own Professional Growth Plan  73Conclusion  75Reflection Questions  759.  “Job Creep” and High-Achieving Professionals  77Why Do We Struggle With Our Increasingly Demanding Workload?  77“Job Creep” and the Unmanageable or Unpredictable Workload  78Being a High-Achieving Leader in Higher Education  79Assumptions About the High-Achieving Professional  80How Job Creep and High-Achieving Traits Impact Our Self-Care and Professional Sustainability  83Activity: Balancing Your High-Achieving Traits Seesaw  84Conclusion  85Reflection Questions  8610.  Creating Your Self-Care Plan for Professional Sustainability  87How Do We Do It All?  87Envisioning Your Path Forward  88Impact Statement Prompts  90Adding Self-Care to Professional Impact and Sustainability  91Formalizing Your Self-Care for Professional Sustainability  93A Living Self-Care and Professional Sustainability Plan  94A Call to Action  95Some Last Notes to the Reader  95Appendix  97References  99Index  105About the Authors  113