The Good Assistant Knows - It's All About Business

In utmost sincerity, it has nothing to do with how much you like (or dislike) your boss; how much money you get paid (or don't get paid); how much praise you receive (or don't receive).

The good assistant knows it's all about business. Whether you're the assistant to the neighborhood drycleaner, an intern at a media factory, or the executive assistant to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, the good assistance knows it's all about the business. Period.

In fact, the "job" isn't to appease the employer, rally behind the team or make sure there're donuts on Friday mornings. The "job" is always to consider, "Is it good for the company?"

If you ask yourself that question each time you hear idle gossip, each time your employer asks you for your honest opinion, or even if you're answering calls, you'll never go wrong by keeping that thought in the forefront of your mind.

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 of those even in upper management. You are likely privy to more information than even department heads. You likely know that a new candidate will be hired, or that a long-term employee will be fired, long before the information's 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 other staff members over a meal, she recognizes that nighttime 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 carefully.

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 gossiping and 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. Yet she's trustworthy to keep that info safe.

She understands that everyone has a bad day, 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, but means attire that is more laid back than usual.

Her nails don't resemble eagle's claws, but is well manicured and tastefully designed.

The good assistant does whatever comes next. She isn't above emptying the trash, cleaning the kitchen or scrubbing the toilet when necessary.

She's the heart of the organization, the face known to the public, the confidante to the person in charge, and the defendant 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 can't thrive without her, she's gracious enough not to say it.

*For the sake of this article, the good assistant will be referred to in the feminine sense.

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