ABSTRACT
It is essential for a court administrator to understand the roles judges assume on a court, their perspectives, and how they relate to institutional and management interests. An administrator who believes any decision of significance involving procedure that affects what happens in the courtroom, even if it is procedure that only involves staff processing, can be made without some judicial input and advice does not understand the nature of courts. If the chief judge comes to office without significant goals for new programs or improvements but is supportive of ideas of the administrator and staff, the court can advance, just not as far or as fast as in the first instance. The administrator must adjust both the areas in which he or she will take the lead as part of the chief judge-administrator team and to the work styles and management preferences of each new personality.
