Skills of an Effective Administrator (2024)

Skills of an Effective Administrator (1)

Although the selection and training of good administrators is widely recognized as one of American industry’s most pressing problems, there is surprisingly little agreement among executives or educators on what makes a good administrator. The executive development programs of some of the nation’s leading corporations and colleges reflect a tremendous variation in objectives. At the […]

Although the selection and training of good administrators is widely recognized as one of American industry’s most pressing problems, there is surprisingly little agreement among executives or educators on what makes a good administrator. The executive development programs of some of the nation’s leading corporations and colleges reflect a tremendous variation in objectives.

A version of this article appeared in the September 1974 issue of Harvard Business Review.

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  • RK

    At the time this article was written, Mr. Katz was assistant professor at the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College. Since then he has taught in the graduate schools of business at Harvard and Stanford, written three textbooks, and helped found five industrial or financial companies. Until recently he was president and chief executive officer of U.S. Natural Resources, Inc. Now he heads a consulting firm specializing in corporate strategy and is a director of a number of publicly held corporations.

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Skills of an Effective Administrator (2024)

FAQs

What are the skills of an administrator? ›

Examples of administrative skills
  • Strong organisational skills. Administrative and organisational skills go hand in hand. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Teamwork and interpersonal skills. ...
  • Customer service skills. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. ...
  • Technology and software skills.

What is an effective administrator? ›

To be a good administrator, you must be deadline-driven and possess a high level of organization. Good administrators can balance multiple tasks simultaneously and delegate when appropriate. Planning and the ability to think strategically are useful skills that elevate administrators in their career.

What are three skills an office administrator should have? ›

8 Must-have skills and qualities of an office administrator
  • Strong organizational skills. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Interpersonal skills. ...
  • Experience with technology and software. ...
  • Problem-solving skills. ...
  • Attention to detail. ...
  • Customer service skills.

What are the top three qualities required to succeed in admin role? ›

Here are a few examples of administrative skills:
  • Organization. Strong organizational skills to keep your workspace and the office you manage in order. ...
  • Communication. Communication is a crucial skill to have when performing administrative tasks. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Customer service. ...
  • Responsibility. ...
  • Time management. ...
  • Multitasking.
Jul 31, 2023

What are the three administrative skills? ›

Within this definition, successful administration appears to rest on three basic skills, which we will call technical, human, and conceptual. It would be unrealistic to assert that these skills are not interrelated, yet there may be real merit in examining each one separately, and in developing them independently.

What defines an excellent administrator? ›

Excellent administrators are influential leaders who model ethical behavior. They are expert problem solvers whose curiosity, creativity and analytical mindset drive continuous improvement. They also lead diverse teams through communication and collaboration while navigating uncertainty with flexibility.

What are the summary skills of office administrator? ›

They include both hard skills, like knowing how to use a specific software application, and soft skills, like communication and problem solving. Examples of essential administrative tasks might include communicating with employees, filing, running reports, calendar management, and answering client questions.

What do you mean by effective administration? ›

In an organization, An effective administrator is the link between an organization's various departments and ensures the smooth flow of information from one part to the other. Thus without an effective administration, an organization would not run professionally and smoothly.

What are 2 further skills qualities which would be required of an administrative assistant? ›

Multi-tasking and organising are your two key skills. Administrative support is the organizational hub of any office. This means the role may not be limited to managing incoming visitors, calls and general inquiries.

What is your greatest strength as admin? ›

Example Answer:

I pride myself on being very resourceful and adaptable. I'm always looking for new ways to streamline processes and increase efficiency. I'm also excellent at problem-solving and have a knack for quickly understanding complex systems.

What is expected of a good administrator? ›

You'd be typing up documents, responding to business enquiries, drawing up contracts and providing customer service. You are likely to be processing lots of information using a computer, so you'll need strong IT skills. Excellent communication skills are also important, to ensure the office operates efficiently.

What are the four characteristics of administration? ›

There are four basic characteristics of administration which include; coordination, search for better ways, functions, and control.

What skills do you need to be an administrative assistant? ›

What administrative assistant skills are most important to highlight on a resume?
  • Time management.
  • Computer proficiency.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Communication skills.
  • Organization.
  • Adaptability.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Customer service.

What skills should I put on my CV as an administrator? ›

What are some of the most in-demand administrative skills for resumes?
  • Communication. Communication - both verbal and written - is a daily requirement for virtually any position. ...
  • Microsoft 365. ...
  • Organization. ...
  • Problem solving. ...
  • Scheduling. ...
  • Flexibility. ...
  • Working well under stress. ...
  • Customer service.
Feb 15, 2024

What are administrative role and duties? ›

An Administrator , or Administrative Assistant, performs clerical duties to help an office run smoothly and efficiently. Their duties include answering phone calls and emails, greeting and directing office visitors to designated meeting areas and building spreadsheets or presentations for leadership staff.

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