What Makes an Effective Administrator?

8 Things the Researchers Tell Us and 4 Things They Left Out

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While managers typically supervise people in order to reach the goals of their department, administrators tend to focus on the broader operations of the organization. Administrators have a role in setting the policy and plans that the managers ensure are carried out. Much has been written about what constitutes a “good” versus a “bad” manager. But what makes an effective administrator?

Researchers Whetten and Cameron (1985) clearly identified eight fundamental characteristics typical of “effective” administrators.

1) Place Equal Emphasis on Process and Outcomes

An emphasis on process and outcome refers to a recognition of and an appreciation for the manner in which objectives are obtained. A style that emphasizes the process as well as the outcomes builds a solid and lasting foundation under those outcomes. All too often in our fast-paced, highly goal-oriented, “bottom line” society we fail to give attention to the significance of the progressive evolution of a phenomenon and we fail to realize that it is the careful attention to the steps in between goal setting and goal achieving that made the achievement possible and meaningful. In large, complex institutions heavily grounded in tradition, the process…