Listen and pay attention to your surroundings. Ask him/her what is expected of you and understand it. Be on time and dress professionally. Do more than is expected. Seek out any opportunity to show him/her what you’ve got. The more your manager


knows that he/she can rely on you to get things done, the more deserving he/she will believe you are. Get involved in everything you can. Become telepathic and let your manager have to ask for very little. Creating a rapport of mutual respect and gratitude is attainable and likely if you choose to be a great office professional. If really takes very little other than doing a great job. Build the relationship bit by bit and enjoy the benefits.


Have a strong positive


relationship. To maintain respect you must be clear about expectations. Aim for being respected as well as liked.


Understanding each other’s role The following table can ease your role:


The role of my manager His/Her job description The role of the personal assistant Support role of the personal assistant (you)


Discuss it with each other. This table will enable you to define each other’s objectives and to understand each other’s motivators/stress.


Build together on it.


Attitude To create a professional attitude in the workplace you have to act professionally! A


professional attitude in the workplace can also have more positive influence on colleagues, clients and it generally leads to trust and credibility. Management should always act in a professional manner and display work ethics that they would like to see emulated by the office staff.


Always answer the phone in a professional manner. Avoid “text-speak” communication


by emails or emoticons that are common in instant messaging. Dress professionally. Your clothes should represent the job you would like to have within the organization. Set an example for others.


Treat employees, customers and business associates well, regardless of rank or title. Let


employees witness you treating others with respect on all occasions. When employees go above and beyond or consistently display a professional attitude it will set an example for others to follow.


Merging / Restructuring / Retirement Because of the close relationships that develops over time, it can often be a painful experience when it comes to an end. When guide dogs have to “retire” or if they are physically unable to continue guiding, most of them remain with the original blind handler because of the special relationship that was built over many years. Whilst you are a professional administrative assistant you have to rely on yourself, and not on your boss during a merging/restructuring or retirement process.


1 Choose to have vision – to find new opportunities;


2 Choose to act independently and find yourself a new way forward, .


. .


3 Choose to be aware of your self worth and motivate yourself during such a process,


4 Choose to use your relationship skills in order to get the necessary support, 5 Choose to keep a positive attitude during the painful experience and choose to stay


. .


the best personal administrator – no matter what! Remember you are an extra pair of eyes to your manager’s world!


Judy Janse van Rensburg is Executive Secretary/PA to Associate Dean Prof Elsabe Coetzee, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology email: jansevanrensburgjh@tut.ac.za


A dynamic


customer service training and consulting company with international and local experience.


Courses tailor-made to match the needs of each organisation.


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Email: mary.kumbula@almenta.co.za


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