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Surviving in an Administrative Position in
Times of Institutional Change
SIX ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Point One
GET CONNECTED
Getting Connected
Find a Mentor …. Immediately! Pick your Confidants Carefully! Form an Advisory Group and Honestly Seek
their Advice! Get to know your Organization – It’s History
and Culture And do it ….. Fast!
Some Truisms
Don’t waste your time Recognize that every institution is different Leadership training for new administrators is
very worthwhile Be prepared!
Point Two
OBTAIN INFORMATION
Obtaining Information
Take regular and frequent listening tours of your state
Learn about the academic units in your university and college
Listen to the stakeholders (Clients) Know who they are, what they want, and how
your administration can assist When speaking with stakeholders, be
forthright about the university and college programmatic priorities
Some More Truisms!
Never over-promise results It is easy to promise solutions, especially to
industry leaders, but one must always remember that it is difficulty to predict the outcome of any academic program, especially when you are dependent on others to deliver!
Never set unrealistic goals or expectations
Point Three
MANAGING CHANGE
“Why didn’t anyone tell me why things are the way they are … and why they can not be changed!”
Managing Change
The secret to managing change is to have a “no secrets” policy
The second secret to managing change is to know “when to do it and how” to change
Remember --- “Time spent preparing for change will save
you time when you are dealing with resistance to change”
Managing Change
Learn to manage your superiors “Care and Feeding of Provost and
Presidents” Encourage your Provost and President to
attend as many activities associated with the college as possible … field days, extension programs, research program meetings, etc.
What Works
Strategies Strategic planning at all levels helps to build
communication and consensus Experience
Acting as an administrative advisor to projects, attending workshops and training programs and seeking the advice of more experienced administrators will help build your administrative knowledge
Meaningful Meetings Make any and all meetings important. Use an agenda
and bring everyone up to date at the beginning of each meeting
“I don’t know the secret of success… but I know the secret of
failure, …trying to please everyone”
What’s a Waste of Time?
Committees that are too large to make a recommendation or reach a decision
Attempting to schedule meetings so that everyone can attend – it’s impossible
Committee meetings without an agenda
Point Five
MANAGING RESOURCES
Managing Resources
Your faculty and staff are your most valuable resource – treasure them
When possible, hire the very best Don’t micro-manage Maintain an open door policy Set your priorities with an outcome in mind Encourage team building and collaborative
activities
Managing Resources
Don’t over commit your resources Look for strategic partnerships Don’t engage in game playing Challenge your faculty and staff to be the
best they can be and support them Give credit where credit is due – to your
faculty and staff Conversely, be prepared to take the blame if
things go badly
Managing Resources
Never assume that everything is going well because you haven't received any complaints. Perhaps they just not tell you
Keep an “ear to the ground” and continually seek advice and opinions from those you value to measure how things are really going
Don’t get so wrapped up with electronic communications that you forget to “Manage by Walking Around”
Point Five
REINVEST IN THE SYSTEM
Reinvest In the System
Learn to manage your time so that you can contribute on the local, state and national levels
Our continued success depends on commitment by all, not just the few
Point Six
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF - FIRST
Taking Care of Yourself
Don’t take everything or yourself too seriously Keep fit and take time for yourself
There is much more to life than just being the Dean and/or Director
Find a hobby Take regular vacations
Develop a thick skin Relax, forget about the issues once in a while Laugh, and use a little self-deprecating humor
Point Seven!
HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE