Making Connections
Administrative Professionals WeekTIPS FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS |
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 [ 2007-04-25 ] |
© 2007 Jupiterimages Corporation.
Leading executives value a strong partnership with their administrative professionals and often credit this partnership as an important contributor to their success. Following are suggestions from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) to managers and supervisors on how to work more effectively with administrative professionals to achieve greater returns:
- Delegate for results. Let your administrative assistant know what you need done, and let her or him figure out how to do it.
- Think of you and your administrative assistant as a team -- and act accordingly.
- Let your colleagues know that your administrative assistant speaks and acts for you.
- Offer training. Technological and managerial training may help your administrative assistant fill this changing role more effectively.
- Listen. Your administrative assistant may have a better feel for the pulse of your workplace than you.
- Communicate. Be sure your instructions are clear and precise. Better yet, take an opportunity each day to review tasks and needs with your administrative assistant.
- Show your administrative assistant your appreciation for a job well done.
- Let your administrative assistant be a manager. Give this person the authority and responsibility needed to fulfill a management role -- and confirm this responsibility in the job description.
WHAT FACTORS MAKE FOR A GOOD BOSS?
According to the 2005 survey of IAAP members, the qualities ranked highest are 1) effective communicator, 2) is approachable, 3) stands up for employees, 4) knows his/her job and has an effective vision for success, 5) gives feedback and praise when warranted, and 6) is well-organized and gives clear direction.
More than 5.5 million administrative assistants, executive secretaries, office supervisors and other administrative professionals are employed in the United States and Canada. Their accomplishments will be celebrated on Administrative Professionals Week, April 22-28, 2007, and Administrative Professionals Day, Wednesday, April 25.
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