I was most successful when I had the right team in my office. Unfortunately, it can take several iterations before you find the right team. A group where everyone clicks, respects each other compliments one another, and trust is essential.
I always had a rule that anything and everything was safe to express in the privacy of our offices. There was only one time when one of my team broke that rule. It was a non-negotiable breach. I let the person go.
The work of a dean's staff or a provost's staff is stressful and isolating. However, camaraderie and support make the hard days bearable and the great ones even better. Seeing team members grow and develop as you give them room to find their way without fear of making a mistake (and they will) is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Knowing that people on your team will get offers and move on to other positions is difficult, but their successes are celebratory. If you have done your job well, your team will constantly change as people move on to new opportunities.
