• Gift of Administration? I Hope Not

    Two weeks ago, we went around the room in my men’s group and shared what we can see in each other that we can benefit from. Someone told me I have a gift of administration. Eek. Run away fast! That’s not something I was looking forward to hearing.

    “Administration” means dry responsibilities to me. Probably just a mental association glitch. It’s true that I feel compelled to clarify more than most people, and I am a serious stickler for details. But that doesn’t mean I want to… run… things… oh. Wait. Maybe I do. I like overseeing things because I see far too many people skipping details or forgetting to ask important questions or neglecting to email summaries of meetings because they don’t do it immediately.

    Ultimately, I hate it when information falls between the cracks because someone didn’t mention it, journal it, email it, or clarify it. I really care about quality. I really care about understanding between different people and groups of people. I.. guess… I’m… just… weird. [shrugs]

    The term “administration” just sounds so anti-creative to me. I’ve always pictured myself as a creative, poetic soul. Well, until the past few years. Suddenly my poeticalness (new word) dried up and my desire for solid structure has taken over. I’m like a well-ordered Mr. Hyde. Well, not exactly. I’m one of those selectively ordered types.

    My wife will attest that I do not organize bills, mail, or the garage with any sense of pride or consistency. But emails, communication, plans, goals? I’m on it.

    What does that mean?