Don’t Just Do the Job—Create Magic
In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara challenges a common professional mindset by asserting that creating meaningful, memorable moments is not an optional enhancement—it is a responsibility. He describes hospitality as an opportunity to bring moments of relief, joy, or connection into people’s lives, even within ordinary interactions. In research administration, where the work is often procedural and fast-paced, this idea invites a powerful reframing: our role is not only to manage processes, but to shape experiences that make demanding work feel more navigable, and at times, even meaningful (Guidara, 2022).
Within academic environments, it is easy for purpose to become obscured by volume and complexity. Administrators manage deadlines, compliance requirements, and competing priorities, often moving from one task to the next with little time to reflect. When work is experienced primarily as a series of transactions, it can feel disconnected from its broader impact. However, research administration exists in direct support of discovery, innovation, and the development of future scholars. Each interaction—whether supporting a grant submission, guiding a trainee, or resolving a process issue—contributes to a larger ecosystem of knowledge creation. Recognizing this connection transforms routine tasks into purposeful contributions.
Creating “magic” in this context does not require grand gestures or additional workload. Rather, it involves intentional moments that elevate the experience of the work. This might include offering reassurance during a high-stakes submission, simplifying a complex process to reduce cognitive burden, or acknowledging the significance of a milestone in a researcher’s career. These actions are often small, but they are meaningful because they demonstrate awareness, care, and presence. They signal that the individual is not just moving through a system, but is being supported within it.
The concept of magic is closely tied to intentionality. Moments of impact rarely occur by accident; they are designed through attention to timing, context, and need. In research administration, this requires an awareness of where individuals may feel uncertainty, pressure, or transition, and a willingness to intervene thoughtfully. By identifying these moments and responding with clarity, encouragement, or support, administrators can create experiences that stand out amid otherwise routine interactions. Over time, these moments contribute to a broader perception of the program or office as not only effective, but deeply supportive.
Importantly, this perspective also reinforces professional identity. When administrators view their work through the lens of purpose and impact, it shifts the narrative from obligation to contribution. The work is no longer defined solely by tasks completed, but by the difference those tasks make in the experiences of others. This shift can enhance both motivation and resilience, particularly in demanding environments. Purpose provides context; context provides meaning.
Ultimately, the invitation is clear: to approach each interaction not only as an opportunity to complete a task, but as an opportunity to improve someone’s experience, even in a small way. In research administration, where the stakes are high and the systems are complex, these moments of “magic” are not trivial—they are transformative. Doing the job ensures progress; creating magic ensures that progress is experienced with clarity, confidence, and care.
Action Items for Research Administrators
- Identify one moment in your workflow where stakeholders may feel stress or uncertainty, and intentionally add a supportive touchpoint.
- Acknowledge milestones (e.g., submission, acceptance, onboarding) to reinforce progress and accomplishment.
- Simplify one complex process to reduce cognitive load and improve clarity.
- Pause and reconnect to purpose, asking: How does this task contribute to the larger mission of research and discovery?
- Look for one opportunity each week to create a small, meaningful moment of support or encouragement.
Do the work well—but don’t stop there. Make it matter.
