The Good Assistant Knows - It's All About Business
The Good Assistant Knows - It's All About Business
In utmost sincerity, as an assistant, your job has nothing to do with how much you like (or dislike) your boss; how much you're paid (or not paid); how much praise you receive (or don't receive). Whether you're the assistant to the neighborhood drycleaner, an intern at a media outlet, or the executive assistant to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, the good assistant knowsit's all about the business. Period.
In fact, the "job" isn't to appease the employer, rally behind the team or make sure there are donuts on Friday mornings. The "job" is always to consider, "Is it good for the company?" If you ask yourself this question each time you hear idle gossip, each time your employer asks for your honest opinion, or simply answering the phone, you'll never go wrong by considering first, "How will this effect business?"
The good assistant knows that the boss isn't necessarily the person who signs your paycheck, or the person whose name is on the door. Your boss - your real boss - is the corporation itself. As an assistant, you have a higher calling than many even in upper management. You are likely privy to more information than many department heads. You're probably one of the first to know that a new candidate will be hired - or that a long-term employee will be fired - long before the information is made public. You can never take your position for granted.
The good assistant knows there's a fine line between 'lunching' with her colleagues and 'hanging out' with the gang. While she appreciates sharing encouragement with others over a meal, she recognizes that after-hours social events could cause confusion among those same peers, especially those who are not mature enough to respect her clearly-defined position within the organization.Letting her hair down, particularly among co-workers, could diminish respect for her in the eyes of others. To the good assistant, respect is key to her success, and she guards it closely.
The good assistant knows when idle chit chat is fun and when it's disturbing. She's never in the company of others who are tarnishing another's reputation, but she's good for a joke or two, and even enjoys a harmless prank (that doesn't detract from getting the job done).
A good assistant knows when to keep silent. She knows it's not important for others to know what she knows, but it's equally important for her to know what others know...and what they think they know. At the same time she's a trustworthy colleague.
She understands that everyone has a bad day once in awhile, and doesn't pre-judge simply because someone's made a thoughtless comment. And if she's the offender, she knows how important it is to apologize - and be sincere when she does.
The good assistant is tactful, never tacky...and always reveals truth as she knows it to be...even if that truth is painful to reveal, and even more painful to hear.
She's encouraging and helpful, and her compliments are seasoned with good taste and fine words...not simply sugar-coated to hide her true feelings. If she says it, she means it.
She has the admiration of others in the company since she's proven to be valuable in times of distress, a pleasant breeze after "it" has hit the fan, and strong shoulder to lean on in times of professional strife and personal duress.
Her humor is always tasteful. And her poise is matched by her consistent attire, always clean and classy. Her wardrobe is not gaudy or trashy. You won't get a glimpse of her underwear, and her cleavage is never revealed. To her, "Dress Down Day" doesn't mean flip flops and bare midriffs, though she might dress in attire that is more casual than usual.
Her nails don't resemble eagle's claws, but are clean and manicured.
The good assistant does whatever comes next. She isn't above emptying the trash, cleaning the kitchen or stocking supplies in the restroom when necessary.
She's the heart of the organization, the confidante to the person in charge, and defender of all those in need of support.
And lastly, while the good assistant knows that she's a valuable asset to the company and that it simply couldn't thrive without her, she's gracious enough not to say it.
Judith Brown is a nationally published freelance writer out of Harrisburg, PA. With over 25 years in the work force, her varied background represents county and state government, non-profit organizations, corrections, and the advertising industries. She is also a contributing editor of Fancast.com, as well as an editor for an online health care publisher.
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