What it Takes to Be a Good Boss: A Personal Assistant's Perspective

I can still remember my reservations and concerns when I had landed my first corporate job - that of a Personal Assistant at Xerox Corporation. Will I manage? Will I fit in the corporate environment? Will my knowledge, experience, and skills be enough? And, most importantly, will I get along with The Boss?

The boss was young, only 31, but already a Marketing Director. During both interviews I had undergone, she (yes, it was a Lady-Boss) was very pleasant and not at all intimidating, which reassured me to a point - but only to a point. After all, who would be mean at a job interview? Rubbing shoulders every day might prove to be different.

Within a week after taking the job, I knew I had been worrying in vain. I was blessed with a wonderful boss. To come and think of it, I've been lucky with bosses throughout my office career; I have seen my share of not so desirable ones, but never had to work with them (thank God). Still, my first Lady-Boss will always remain in my memory as the best of the best. All my co-workers in the Marketing Department loved her as well. So what did she do to be such a good boss to all of us? What does it take to be a good boss?

Well, she had made it look so easy that I am tempted to say, "Not much." However, as I reflect on it, I see that that answer would be incorrect. There actually was quite a lot to it. And while it came to her naturally, other bosses, just as naturally, might have no clue whatsoever. First and foremost, she respected each and every one of us and never acted superior. With all her impressive achievements, there was no hint of pride or arrogance in her - ever. Whether she spoke with a manager under her or a mailroom clerk, she was always respectful. Which brings us to Point #1 of what it takes to be a good boss:

1) Don't be a snot. Yes, you heard me; keep that pride under control - or, better yet, get rid of it altogether. Being proud of your achievements is one thing, but looking down at other people is quite a different story. You have no right to despise your PA, or any other employee under you, for not having gone to Harvard, not having an MBA, fancy car, fat wallet or whatever it is you're proud of. Having all that stuff does not make you any better than them. Yes, education & experience might make you more knowledgeable and more important in the work of the company; but not better. On the overall human scale - in the sight of God, if you wish - you are still human, no more and no less, just like them.

So get rid of that superiority attitude, if you have one, and treat people as People. Even if it's "just a secretary" or "just a clerk."

Number 2 goes hand in hand with the first one:

2) Be fair. People make mistakes, and it is not always because of laziness, sloppiness, or lack of care. Sometimes they don't know better and need to learn. I remember putting some confidential data into a brochure meant for public release during my first month of work. I had no idea what those numbers meant; someone had brought me the data to be included, without explaining which parts should go in and which shouldn't, so I put it all in. When my boss was alerted to the mistake by another senior manager ("Are you sure you want this in there?"), she promptly stopped the production of the brochure, telling me to disassemble the finished copies and remove the wrong page - which I was more than happy to do. She did not say one nasty word to me; she knew I was a newbie, and with no financial background whatsoever.

People make mistakes, but sometimes people also go an extra mile for the company. While the first rarely goes without consequences, the latter often does. Reward your employees when they deserve it, and reward them well. I remember one of the ladies in Finance Department working day and night to clear up some mess and saving the company huge money - only to receive a puny Company-Paid Dinner for Two offer from her boss. Which she had proudly declined, telling him that she could afford to pay for a dinner herself. Thankfully, a bigger (and better) boss heard about the situation, shamed the cheapskate and issued the employee a nice bonus.

Number 3 will be short, but it is my favorite:

3) Don't be a baby. There is a difference between a Personal Assistant and a Nanny. While your assistant is there to assist, there are things every normal person shouldn't bother other people with, unless they are hired servants. I have noticed that the title "Personal Assistant" is not so frequently used anymore, replaced by "Executive" or "Administrative Assistant," and I am glad of it, because the Personal Assistant's position is too easy to abuse. Keep your personal life out of the office; your assistant has no business running your private errands. I once saw a job ad where the assistant was required to be "flexible," which included, among other things, driving the boss's kids to some activities. I won't even comment on that; if you think it's a reasonable requirement, you've got a problem, and I pity your employees.

Summing it all up, I guess it boils down to character. I have not included things like "knowing your job" because it's a given; you should not be the boss if you are incompetent. So here is the bottom line: Being a good boss takes being a good person. Very simple, if you are a good person, like my first Lady-Boss was; and very hard if... uh, if your character needs considerable improvements.