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