A general rule of thumb that states that any member of an institution will follow the below in order of priority

Rule 1 – the member will act to preserve and expand his or her standing, status, authority, flexibility, and compensation within the institution.
Rule 2 – the member will act to preserve and expand the standing, status, authority, flexibility, and compensation of the office/role/position one currently holds within the institution.
Rule 3 – the member will act to preserve and expand the standing, status, authority, flexibility, and compensation of the institution
Rule 4 – whatever it is that the institution is supposed to be doing.