Homage to Administrative Professionals
Throughout my professional life, there were times when I have functioned as an administrative professional. I also had to fill in administratively when there were no staff or for a variety of reasons when administrative staff could not provide the support I needed. This resource is vital to any entity akin to what an engine is to a vehicle. You set the reminders when maintenance is necessary or if you had the unfortunate mishap of the car shutting down in some ‘god-forbidden’ place, that is when you remember how important the engine is to your daily functioning.
When the pressure is high or an impending deadline is looming, people can show the ugly side of themselves, and administrative staff are the ones most likely to feel it the most. Good leadership is necessary. As we reflect, here are a few tips you can use to ease their workload and transmit the critical message to administrative staff that their efforts are valued, and you appreciate them as people.
Say thank you: while they are getting paid to do their jobs and maybe there are tangible benefits provided to them, saying a genuine thank you makes a difference.
Articulate how important they are to achieving the collective goals: When a human being can visualize their efforts in contributing to the overall goal, the message that they are contributing to something resonates more profoundly.
Communicate your issues if any with their outputs, especially when you observe changes: If personal problems are present, a referral might be in order or you can listen as a friend if you might have experienced similar challenges. After ruling out personal issues, you offer a short term mentoring or a reorientation to the task. Directing the person to a resource for upskilling is always a viable option (teaching someone to fish).
Give them a self-care day: a spa day or a day-off solely to take care of themselves go a long way.
I remember someone making a remark about an administrative staff in a previous setting to the effect that they are always too calm inferring that their job was too easy. Fast-forward to years later the administrative staff retired and despite a proper hand-over and orientation for the replacement the department never ran the same afterwards. It turned out to be a personality challenge more than anything else. So let us make the effort to honour them.
