Any administrator should excel at:

• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates, as well as communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization, and getting them to work together to accomplish tasks by encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

Mediators should be capable of:

• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

• Purchasing the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible prices and in adequate amounts.
• Preparing purchasing orders, soliciting bid proposals, and reviewing requisitions for goods and services.
• Researching and evaluating suppliers, based on prices, quality, selection, services, assistance, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier’s reputation and history.
• Analyzing pricing proposals, financial reports, and other data and information for determining reasonable prices.
• Monitoring and following applicable laws and regulations.
• Negotiating, redetermining, and administering contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
• Monitoring shipments for ensuring that goods come in on time, and resolving problems related to undelivered goods.
• Conferring with staff, users, and vendors for discussing defective or unacceptable goods or services and determining corrective action.
• Evaluating and monitoring contract performance for ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and for determining need for changes.