Duties Include: Conquering Fear:

There is little room permitted in business for fear. When dealing with a fearful Administrator, the successful Administrative Assistant will nurture confidence in change. Erica Jong once said, "I have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change.... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back."

Having experienced multiple company takeovers and closures, it became obvious that to survive as an Administrative Assistant I should first embrace, rather than fear, change. Having accomplished that, I would need to prepare others for the inevitability of change. It has never ceased to amaze me that my most difficult and inept students were some of my Administrators.

Early in my career I worked with an administrator who refused to accept change. I was hired to install a new computer system that would automate the entire company. I will not bore you with the details except to state that one administrator would not permit his department to be involved. The entire system was jeopardized and eventually shelved. I learned many years later that multiple thousands of dollars and multiple years later, the administrator conceded. In retrospect I was not skilled or knowledgeable in persuading anyone to embrace change. I had not learned to do so myself.

Change means many things to people. It means stepping beyond the comfort zone and into the unknown. In order to transform, we need to be willing to take a chance to learn something new. This is as true for the Administrative Assistant as it is for the Administrator. If change connotes fear for you, start noticing how the fear impacts you.

Two things are required for initiating change, openness and willingness - an openness to a deeper understanding of what is possible and a willingness to let go of the way it is and what has come before. Change also means excitement, challenge and opportunity. Initiating change can be done in small increments - a small shift in thinking, attitude and actions can create dramatic results

An Administrative Assistant that cannot accept change is a detriment to her employer. The relationship and business is most assuredly doomed to failure. Understandably, change can be difficult to incorporate in a day-to-day business plan. Skills and talents may be stretched to the limit. It is the resourceful Administrative Assistant that will assure successful transition.

It is amusing to note that a Business Plan depends upon the energy of change for its prediction of success. The successful and sought after Administrative Assistant will be eager for change.