(And Why It’s Killing Your Influence) You became chair because you’re brilliant at your discipline. You’ve published, mentored, and earned respect. Then, overnight, the job changed from doing great work to leading people, many of them, your peers. And now? You’re isolated. You’re buried in admin work no one trained you for. You hesitate to ask for help because you don’t want to look lost. You avoid cross-campus connections because it feels political, and you didn’t sign up for politics. Meanwhile, your department stalls. Your initiatives die in committee. You’re working 60 hours a week and wondering what you’re doing wrong. Here’s the truth no one told you: Your success as chair has less to do with your scholarship and everything to do with your relationships. Here’s the playbook: understand the isolation trap, redefine your team, build cross-campus relationships, make them reciprocal, and start small—but start now. The Isolation Problem Universities know this...

Are you a university student worried about securing a job after graduation? Or are you a leader finding it difficult to receive adequate support from other teams or departments? You may also be searching for something to help you stand out for your next career growth opportunity. Many people misunderstand the value of having and building professional relationships. Building relationships can improve your career in many situations. However, you must start now! Professional relationships work best when you have them before you need them. Nobody likes hearing from you only when you need something. Think about that friend who only calls when they are moving 😊. You're being held back because you haven’t yet invested enough in professional relationships! Value of Professional Relationships Over years of supporting people’s careers, I have observed that people on upward trajectories have something that sets them apart. In school, being smart or working hard will often set you a...