In the present phenomenological qualitative research study, we conducted interviews with 14 professors whom returned to full-time faculty positions after having served in department chair positions at a Midwest, comprehensive, private university. Interviews explored the professors' experiences as they reflected on their time working as chair, and we asked them for advice they would share with aspiring, future department chairs. Three themes emerged from analyzing the transcripts of our semi-structured interviews: transparency in leadership, advice regarding the difficulty of organizing unpredictable situations, and the chair role of being a temporary facilitator. The present study provides insight to current faculty members who have potential interests in pursuing future department chair roles. Many new department heads receiving little training, development, or mentoring prior to receiving their first chair appointment. Consequently, hearing the perspectives of former chairs can help shorten the new chairs' respective learning curves and may potentially facilitate the new chairs' own successful tenures.