The Buck Does NOT Stop Here

As an Administrative Professional, I nor my colleagues appreciate it when we are blamed for the lack of planning on the part of the people that we work so hard for.   This doesn’t happen often but when it does, it is a slap in the face, an offense, a sign that the person who has perpetrated said offense does not understand that the Administrative Professional is more than a lackey. 

Let me illustrate my point with a couple of examples:

1.  A Manager who is supposed to be in charge of their own budget, aware of invoices, accruals, etc.  Suddenly realizes that they didn’t accrue several invoices for a significant amount of money that will reflect badly on their budget.  Do they a) own up to their error and make the necessary corrections? b) act like they don’t know what happened and fix things on the sly? or c) concoct and elaborate lie to blame the administrative professional?  If you guessed ‘c’ you probably are thinking that this might be a gross exaggeration. But alas, no.  It happened to a colleague of mine.

2.  In their eagerness, a newby to a department with an Administrative Professional, decides that they can do all the ‘work’ that they are not inclined to do.  A seasoned Administrative Professional will a) do the work given them with a smile; b) do the work given them and have a talk with their manager; c) give them the look and ignore them; or d) kindly educate them in the department policies and procedures.  Honestly, I would have to say it would depend on how I was approached.  ‘d’ would always be implemented with a smidge of whichever other option was appropriate to the situation.  I have enough to do without someone thinking they can add to my load.

Look, an Adminstrative Professional is an integral part of the team, not a lackey to pass blame on or push work on.  We are the grease that keeps the wheels going.  We work hard to make your jobs seem easier. 

All that being said, if you need to find fault, lay blame, or just be cranky at, I suggest you look in the mirror and let the buck stop where it is suppose to.

While the Cat’s Away

Well gentle reader, the cat is out of the office.  Does that mean that I, the mouse, have license to merrily play? To scamper about without a care in the world? To (gasp) slack off?

Only in my dreams!  When my boss is out of the office work related or on vacation, I find that my time is filled with people who perceive that I have a void in my life that they would like to fill.  For example:

Manager Minion (3 levels below my boss):  Oh look the boss’s admin is without guidance and leadership let me fill that void for her!  (Placing a large amount of their workload on my desk for me to do)

Savvy Admin:  While I appreciate your attempt to make sure that I have enough to occupy myself while the boss is away, let me tell you what I have to do first before I can even consider your pile. (I proceed to educate them in my job)

Manager Minion (taking back the pile of work): Oh I did not realize that you did more than leap to his beck and call.

Savvy Admin (smiling benignly):  Yes, I do have a number of other responsibilities, but I would be happy to speak to your manager about your workload since you seem to need help with it.

Manager Minion (beating a hasty retreat): That won’t be necessary!

I find working with the boss remote strife with its own challenges.  It’s harder to judge moods and needs during the day. Knowing what meetings have been successfully completed is next to impossible. 

But, that being said, it is nice to have some down time.  So when the cat is away, this mouse will breath deep and catch up.