This week saw the official Administrative Professionals Day. This is a day celebrated in the United States on the Wednesday of the last full week in April to recognize the work of administrative assistants, secretaries, receptionists and other administrative support professionals. The day was founded by a guy named Harry F. Klemfuss, a New York Publicist, and the reason behind the day was to try to encourage more people to enter the administrative support field as a career. Pretty good reasoning, I guess, but my reason for bringing the day into focus here is to say an enormous thank you which I believe is the best recognition that can be given.
The term “Administrative Assistant” is often very widely and loosely used but seldom do we stop to think what it actually means. It is probably one of the most diverse roles in an organization. I am sure that the person performing this function, close to me, would agree that no two days are ever the same. I say the term loosely because I am sure that although there is probably an official job description to fit this title the breadth and depth of the position can vary hugely from company to company as well as from boss to boss.
It is for this reason that before taking on the role an individual should ask themselves just how flexible they are prepared to be and the person doing the hiring should be honest with themselves as well as with any applicant as to just how far the duties would extend.
I am sure Sue Xan, who is the Executive Admin in our team, would endorse this and never ceases to be amazed by the sundry nature of some of the tasks that pass across her desk. Yet, she is never fazed by the unusual and diverse, from complicated travel itineraries to presentation preparation, to acting as driver, car mechanic, party host, letter writer, gate keeper, agony aunt and in fact any type of support that is required.
I believe we are part of a great company and part of a great team. The credit for that is often claimed by a variety of leadership positions within an organization. Every team member in the company is as important as the next and has an important and necessary role to play. Not least the often forgotten Executive Admin. I have done presentations representing the company on numerous occasions and have received compliments and accolades as a result. But it should never be forgotten that the compliments were for the company, the team, the support! Not just for me, but for every behind the scenes effort that went towards the making of the success. In this example, presentation preparation, slides, AV, facilities, travel, hotel accommodations, etc., were all organized by the Exec Admin.
The role is not high profile, it is not highly visual but to me it’s crucial. My success is dependent upon the efforts of the team and for sure upon the efforts of the Executive Admin. I recognize this as a fact and encourage all other leadership to recognize it too. It can be a difficult task and pressures can often be coming from all sides at the same time. Many balls in the air and not one to be dropped.
I certainly recognize Administrative Professionals Day and want to celebrate it by saying the biggest THANK YOU ITHOE to Sue Xan Tunnell. She so willingly, admirably, cheerfully and diligently undertakes the role for me.
Incidentally, it is Earth Day this week but I don’t think the two are linked.