Take 5: Manager Memos

In our monthly Take 5 column, International Educator poses a thought-provoking prompt to five members of the NAFSA community. These international educators, who represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, respond with their insights, recommendations, and personal reflections on the myriad themes and questions that are facing the field.

Think back on the best (or worst!) boss you've had in your career. What's the most important thing you learned from them?

Liz Cosgrove Ford, University of North Texas: When I was a new professional, I had a terrible boss who had a surprisingly positive impact on my career. I worked in the construction industry, and my boss at the time was very no-nonsense and a bit on the gruff side. When I said I wanted to travel internationally again, his response was, "Why would you ever want to leave the United States? We have everything here."

I guess I took that as a challenge because within six weeks of that conversation, I was in Taiwan teaching English. That was the start of my international education career, and I couldn't be happier about it! I thank that boss for pushing me to go after what I wanted. The decisions I made as a result of that conversation motivated me to explore the world and led me to where I am today in my international education career.

Jim Crawley, Hope College: My first boss in international education was Christopher Viers who, incidentally, later served as the president of NAFSA. I was fortunate to have worked under him; he had a wealth of knowledge related to immigration and internationalization.

Just as importantly, he respected my knowledge in admissions, which allowed me to grow as an international recruitment professional. Viers encouraged my participation in the state international education organization, as well as at the regional and national levels of NAFSA. His encouragement, leadership, and mentorship were crucial as I began my career in international education.

The challenges I've faced with supervisors have been related to communication and being "on the same page." You need to find out what your supervisor is really looking for when they make a request and understand what the general expectations are. What does "success" look like to them? How do they want to receive information? If you don't know, it's important to ask for clarification. Your working relationship will likely be much better.

Jennifer Evanuik, Georgia State University: Over my career, I've had many bosses, each of whom have taught me something valuable. Upon reflection, there are a couple of key lessons. As a recovering perfectionist, I've learned that not everything is worth my energy, and it's OK to let some things go. I was also told that "the work is never done," meaning that you can't burn yourself out every day. Complete daily priorities and leave the rest for tomorrow. Finally, as a leader, you must take care of your team and not be afraid to make hard decisions when needed.

Rekha Gopalakrishnan, University of North Texas: The most valuable lesson I've learned from the best bosses in my career is about the importance of meeting team members where they are, recognizing that each person contributes their own unique strengths, experiences, and challenges. I've also learned to build genuine relationships with my team—showing care and respect for them as individuals, not just as coworkers.

Lucinda Morgan, University of Pittsburgh: One of the most important things I learned from a former boss is the value of giving positive feedback and building an environment where people feel comfortable coming to you when they're struggling. I've observed how crucial it is to stay calm, focused, and, most importantly, flexible when things get challenging. That attitude really sets the tone for the whole team. My former boss also encouraged me to consistently network and connect with others because staying curious and learning from different perspectives helps you continue growing as a leader. •