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[tattletale_heart]

I direct an academic program and might be interested in other, more senior administrative roles in the future, but I notice that those in high positions at this university seem to frown on those who overtly exhibit administrative ambition. Senior people on hiring committees seem genuinely impressed when they have to twist (rubber) arms to convince some really good person to take on an administrative role. What is the appropriately humble-but-not-disinterested response, then, when a higher-up asks questions that seem to be getting to the heart of "how ambitious are you? Do you see yourself as Chair / Dean in the future?"  This is a serious question but I look forward to the full range of responses.

[sinatra]

My supervisors know that I am interested in an administrative position at the chair/division head level. I told them up front that I would one day like to get into higher education administration and asked them if they would consider mentoring me. They have been generally supportive of me as a result and I have come close to getting an offer on a few occasions. But I have been very careful not to let too many of my fellow faculty members know that I would like to be an administrator because I can think of a few who would, as you say, "frown on" that sort of ambition. My advice would be to approach one of the higher-ups whom you have a rapport with (even minimally) and ask if s/he would consider becoming a mentor for you in this way. If directly asked before you get the opportunity to find a menotr on your own, you could always say, "The thought has crossed my mind, but I am not sure if I have the skills that it takes to be a good chair/dean/whatever. Would you be willing to mentor me so that I can develop the right skills and do a good job if ever the opportunity comes up?"

[sibyl]

First of all, say that you are flattered that they think enough of you to ask you. 

Next, say that are impressed with the work of the current chair or dean -- at least, if you really are.

Then, say that you are focused right now on achieving your most important goal or goals in your current position, and enumerate them.

Then say that you are pleased with the things you've been able to accomplish, and name them.

Then say that you would welcome any chance to help move the institution toward [a favorite institutional goal, whether it's greater transparency in financial decisions or improved compensation for adjuncts or a multi-disciplinary approach to general education], in whatever capacity might be appropriate.

This approach shows you to be humble and focused on achievement, rather than on the trappings of authority -- or, as a mentor once put it to me, "doing the work of the president rather than just 'being' the president," taking the job because you want to do something rather than just collect a nice salary, live in the big house, and have a good seat at the basketball game.

[svenc]

Talking about your administrative ambitions is like talking about your genital warts in mixed company.

It just isn't proper.

[ursula]

I think part bof the problem is that it's viewed as simply plotting to get power; also, it's "common wisdom" that faculty who go into administration do so because they're washed up as researchers.

I do find I'm coming up against this, though.  Many people say they want me to run for Dean, and there's no-one I can ask for advice about this and how to go about it. My current supervisor knows I'm interested in this sort of work and actually very talented at it, but would rather eat glass than admit that I'm any good for anything.

[psychprof]

It really is a bizarre world that one has to hide her ambitions (especially from the other ambitious people!) I think that if you are asked if you have ambitions from someone who fears your ambition then you need to be appropriately reserved about your ambitions. If you are still working on promotion, you say that you haven't really thought beyond your promotion.

If you are full professor and you may want to do this, then I think you say that you haven't given it serious thought but that you certainly haven't ruled it out.

I don't think every upper administrator is evil (although, frankly, many are on my campus it seems), you can often find some that are pretty decent people. They are folks that you can talk with about your ambitions and such. I found that some "retired" presidents who were on the faculty were really good folks to talk with and give great insights into how to proceed. The same could be said for other senior administrators who are now back on the faculty.

You also could benefit from getting into one of the training programs for chairs/deans/administrators (Harvard IHE, American Council on Education workshops or even their Fellows program). This gets you some peers from other institutions that you can b*tch/talk/vent with and get good feedback. I've been in one and its great to have off-campus colleagues to chat with and from whom to receive encouragement.

[ursula]

Actually, I went and had a chat with the HR director, who is the lynchpin for these things around our shop, about administrative pursuits and opportunities.  I got a lot of advice and encouragement, such as I've never known around here before. 

[london1]

Actually, I went and had a chat with the HR director, who is the lynchpin for these things around our shop, about administrative pursuits and opportunities.  I got a lot of advice and encouragement, such as I've never known around here before. 

HR = lynchpin, advice, encouragement?

We definitely do not work for the same institution, ursula!

[ursula]

Actually, I went and had a chat with the HR director, who is the lynchpin for these things around our shop, about administrative pursuits and opportunities.  I got a lot of advice and encouragement, such as I've never known around here before. 

HR = lynchpin, advice, encouragement?

We definitely do not work for the same institution, ursula!

Freaky, isn't it?