From kizuna to codependence: Understanding relational wellness in faculty and academic leaders

In this interactive roundtable discussion, we explore codependency as a wellness construct in the context of the faculty and academic leader work life. We will facilitate a reflective discussion on how relational patterns in academia may manifest along a spectrum from healthy interdependence to problematic codependence. In doing so, we will draw on the Japanese construct of kizuna, which represents enduring bonds that can be both supportive connections and restrictive binds. We’ll lead session attendees through a critical examination of vignettes depicting colleagues navigating relational boundaries and the challenges associated with codependency (excessive caretaking, difficulty delegating, approval-seeking, perfectionism, etc.). Additionally, attendees will engage in reflection and dialogue about how and why codependency may be reinforced by academic structure, culture, and leadership, and explore pathways that could lead us from codependence to healthy interdependence.