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