Dear BI Career Consultants:

My boss was fired recently for fiscal mismanagement and I am concerned now, because I was his chief assistant. What can I do to prevent my being viewed as guilty by association ?

Dr. Jean D. Fitts
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Texas College

Fortunately, I have not experienced this problem personally, but as a higher education observer, here are my suggestions.
At the outset, focus on your current position. Whether this situation will have an impact on your long-term career may depend more on your actions than the perceptions of those in your current workplace. As soon as possible, have a conference with your new boss, or if possible, with the highest ranking supervisor that your departed supervisor reported to, which might be the president. Your goal for this conference is to determine what your role will be within and beyond the department. Stress that you want to remain within the department to maintain stability and to meet departmental goals. Have with you a one-page description of your accomplishments that have benefited the college and, depending on the tone of the dialogue, be prepared to describe how you will help the department meet its goal over the next six to 12 months.
Your role after the departure will send a clear signal to your colleagues and to the public about whether you have the trust of executive management. Tangible signs of trust include increasing your responsibility, and/or enabling you to continue on committees or in other leadership roles you currently have.
The cooperation of your peers will be important if you are to continue to complete your projects. If you cannot get a straight answer from your new supervisor or his/her boss, if you begin to feel isolated and people are not talking to you, or if the grapevine gives you negative clues, you may need to begin a quiet job search or to take comfort in a graceful transfer. If you decide to leave, have a highly respected mentor or friend to nominate or recommend you for other posts.
Dr. Betty Taylor,
Former Dean
College of Professional Studies
University of San Francisco