The Administrative Portfolio
by Peter Seldin and Mary Lou Higgerson
232 pages published by Anker Publishing Company, 2002
(This book may be ordered by going to http://www.ankerpub.com).
Reviewed by Deryl R. Leaming
The subtitle of this new book -- which is written by two
of the leading leadership scholars, Peter Seldin and Mary Lou Higgerson
-- is
A Practical Guide to Improved Administrative Performance and Personnel Decisions.
It is that and more! This is a book that all administrators who want to
improve their performance must have on their desk. Keep it there rather
than putting it away on some bookshelf.
In the preface, the authors write: “Previous books on
evaluating and developing administrative performance were mainly
collections of administrative techniques, often focused on a specific
position, such as a department chair, or academic dean. This book is
different.” Indeed it is. And the difference is a text that is
remarkable in that it is well written and hands-on. It provides easy to
understand and “ready-to-use, field-tested information.” Also, I quote
from the preface what the authors provide regarding what the book
offers:
It offers practical suggestions for getting started and
then maintaining the most effective use of portfolios.
It identifies key issues, red-flag warnings, and
benchmarks for success..
It provides helpful answers to common questions.
It carefully differentiates between portfolios for
personnel decisions and portfolios for improvement in performance.
It lists 21 possible portfolio items from which
administrators can choose the ones most personally relevant.
It includes 13 actual portfolios from across
administrative positions and institutions.
This is the quality of book you would expect from
Seldin, Higgerson, and Anker Publishing Company. Fourteen authors team
up with Seldin and Higgerson to produce a book that has special value.
My only complaint is that this book should have been published five
years ago. As a retired administrator, I envy those who now use it, and
I wish the book had been available when I was an active administrator.
I have had the privilege of hearing Seldin and Higgerson speak, and as
I read
The Administrative Portfolio,
it is like having them by my side offering solid advice. Go out and buy
this book today! Trust me, you will appreciate having Seldin and
Higgerson giving you solid advice!
