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Whether you have an advisor you love, or one you'd like to toss off the nearest high-rise, it is to your advantage to build the most productive relationship possible. There are a few simple strategies you can implement to maintain, build, or improve your working relationship with your advisor.
With the proper, care, feeding and affection, your advisor will be a trusted companion and protector. Kind of like that handsome dog in the picture, but with better breath.
• If your advisor requires paperwork of any kind, do it on time. Nothing annoys an advisor more than having to track you down and beg you to do what you should be doing. Getting your crap in on time is the quickest path to his or her heart.
• Take the initiative to set up weekly check-in meetings. Don't make your advisor track you down and beg for face-to-face time. Do your best to keep your appointments and show up with a few notes. This demonstrates that you respect his or her time and want to use it for the greatest benefit.
• Give your advisor at least one opportunity each semester to attend an event, a meeting, or some other "face time" thing with your organization's members. Come to your advisor with a few opportunities, and help find a date that works with his/her schedule. It's important that your members know your advisor's name and face.
• Don't lie to your advisor. You lose credibility instantly. It's easier to forgive a dummy than to forgive a liar.
• Give your advisor a calendar of your events and meetings as far in advance as possible.
• Show a little appreciation. A simple note that says "Thank you for your time and effort" will buy you a lot of good will. An occasional t-shirt, lunch, candy bar, or Hawaiian vacation doesn't hurt either.
• When something goes wrong, be honest with your advisor, and call him SOON after it happens. Your advisor will be upset to hear about something negative from anyone other than you.
• When you have a problem, ask for help. That's what an advisor is there for! You're not bothering your advisor if you bring some possible courses of action to the table and need some help choosing between them. It's annoying when a group is struggling and won't ask for help.
• Share good news and funny stories with your advisor also. Don't just share the negative stuff.
• Nominate your advisor for awards. They'll never ask you to do it, of course. But, recognitions for good advising are few and far between. Reward someone who's done good work for you by giving them a public pat on the back. And make sure your advisor's boss (or the volunteer that supervises him or her) gets a copy of the nomination.
Most of us in student affairs -- whether professional or volunteer -- live for those moments when we feel like we made a difference. If your advisor is making a difference for you, make sure he or she knows how they are helping you and your organization.
