Page 87 - The Administrator - A Startling True Story of Politics and Deception_Neat

Chapter 5

Start of a Downward Spiral

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my

soul so high that the offense cannot reach it.

- RENÉ DESCARTES (circa: 1596 - 1650)

Institutional Advancement Division

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S SUITE
F

ast forward, and to adequately manage such a demanding schedule, the
CAO needs to have the right caliber of skilled direct reports -- professionals
who can help get the work done with the least amount of distraction --
including but not limited to, in-fighting, and backbiting. Imagine on your first day at

work, your immediate reports are nowhere to be found: One of the directors is on
maternity leave; another on an annual family hiking trip; and a third, on her way out
because of personal differences with the new boss. What's a vice chancellor to do?

To further exacerbate the situation, Alonzo finds himself without an
administrative assistant. Though undervalued, an administrative assistant is an
integral member of any team; an Assistant helps keep the unit intact through proper
messaging and appropriate gatekeeping. An experienced administrative assistant is

a support system to an administrator and other professionals. For example, in