Mr. T. Anuraag Reddy is a highly accomplished individual with a strong educational background and a wealth of experience in the field of education and administration. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from Chirst University, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence. Additionally, he has pursued further studies and earned a Master of Science in Management and Organization, specializing in Organizational Behavior, from the prestigious University of Colorado.

For the past three years, he has been serving as the Administrative Director at St. Peters Engineering College, where he has demonstrated his exceptional leadership and management skills.

St. Peter’s Engineering College

What motivated you to pursue your career as an administrative director?

To tell you frankly, the work that I do is basically my family business. So I have been looking at my father, uncle and aunts, most of them, all of them are into this profession, the service of schools and colleges. I have been seeing them since childhood, so that motivated me a lot, looking at them and managing so many people, students and teachers. So since childhood, I have just looked at them, once they get home I get to hear what their thoughts and inputs are. So that was my primary motivation for a career as an administrative director.

How do you envision the role of the administrative director in an organization, what is your leadership style?

As an administrative director, my responsibilities include overseeing admin tasks, purchases, and infrastructure, including finance staff, security, IT, and other aspects like canteens and sports equipment. My leadership style involves delegating tasks to capable individuals and encouraging them to mentor others, fostering on-the-job learning.

How do you ensure efficient and effective administrative operations within an organization? What strategies do you employ to optimize the process and workflows?

So as a role of an administrative director in the college, for me to ensure efficient and effective administrative operations would basically mean that each person has their set and defined role. I always feel that if you do not have a set role in an organization, you do not fit in. Like a security guard, his role is to provide security and look after the students and gate-keeping. The same thing goes for everyone. So my basic strategy is to assign them their roles and responsibilities. I am free to be approachable any time in need. 

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in administrative management?

To stay updated with the latest trends, it is a very niche role right now as an administrative director. So there are no booklets or no magazines as such stating that okay this is what an admin director does. So basically the best practice that I personally followed is to get in touch with a couple of engineering colleges to figure out what is their best practices and we are trying to incorporate them into our college.

How do you foster a positive and inclusive work environment within the administrative team?

I believe my prime role and responsibility include clearly defining roles that are crucial for a harmonious work environment and an open-door policy encourages communication with employees and students, fostering a positive atmosphere. In an engineering college, we primarily used WhatsApp for communication. Recently, we adopted the app "campX" to improve inter-departmental communication. Written communication is preferred to avoid misunderstandings and disputes. Clear organizational structures reduce conflicts and disagreements. Instead of confrontation, resolving issues through friendly discussions or escalating to higher management is more effective. Avoid shouting and stay focused on the core issues to find productive solutions.

Check St. Peter’s Engineering College Faculty

How do you collaborate with other department and stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination across organizations?

In the context of an engineering college with various departments like computer science, communication primarily relied on WhatsApp. While it may not be the most business-friendly tool, it was practical due to the fast-paced nature of our work. Instant issues, such as network problems, couldn't be handled through tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, which are better suited for corporate settings.

Recently, we adopted an app called campX, which has proven to be more effective for team communication. To ensure effective communication and coordination, it's better to have a written record of your messages. This prevents misunderstandings and the "he said, she said" scenario. Whether it's a WhatsApp message or a message on campX, it's the key to effective communication and coordination within our organization. 

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within the administrative team or between your department?

"Conflicts and disagreements are not uncommon within the administrative team between departments, often revolving around resource allocation, such as laboratory access. To mitigate these issues, a clearly defined structure is essential in my view. A well-structured framework tends to reduce conflicts and minimize room for disagreements. Instead of resorting to confrontational approaches, I believe it's better to address issues diplomatically. Rather than reacting emotionally and venting on platforms like WhatsApp, it's more constructive to initiate a friendly discussion. If that doesn't resolve the matter, it's advisable to escalate it to higher management or a relevant authority. This way, a sit-down meeting can be arranged, enabling a productive and rational discussion, as opposed to heated arguments.

I've always found that shouting and aggression tend to exacerbate problems and introduce unnecessary complications. Even in cases of disputes, such as disagreements with the Administrative Officer over the cleanliness of a specific area, escalating the situation often diverts attention from the core issue, making it less likely to find a satisfying resolution."

Can you share an example of a successful initiative or project you implemented or try to enhance administrative efficiency or improve organization performance?

"The initiative or project is essentially an evolution of our previous communication methods, as technology has advanced significantly. In the past, we relied on verbal exchanges, often leading to a game of 'he said, she said.' However, with the introduction of text-based communication platforms like WhatsApp and Campex, we have made considerable progress.

Now, we have multiple groups tailored to specific roles and responsibilities. There is a group for system administrators, and another for administrative roles. Any relevant information or updates can be posted in these groups, and most of us are members of one or more of them. This streamlined communication means that information reaches us more efficiently than the previous 'he said, she said' method. Once something is documented and shared within these groups, it becomes a record, and there is a sense of urgency to address it promptly. This transformation has proven to be a successful initiative that I have implemented."

Can you describe your vision for the future of administrative management within the organization and how do you plan to achieve it?

My vision for the future of administrative management is for my role to become redundant. Ideally, individuals should proactively understand and fulfill their responsibilities. I envision being more of a supervisory and honorary figure. If someone is unsure about their roles, they should consult their immediate supervisor for clarification. Once everyone independently fulfills their roles, my presence as a task assigner becomes unnecessary. To achieve this vision, I advocate a learn-on-the-job approach. It's about empowering individuals to understand and perform their roles without constant direction.