Does informality depend on how many hours a day you spend with this person, or when dealing with Boss/Assistant relationships should you always keep work and play separate? Or should the Boss always keep up the illusion of Superhuman status so the Assistant knows their place? Well...I guess it all depends on the Boss.A friend of mine has an assistant that she is realizing knows a little too much about her. Their professional lines have become slightly blurred and she can't quite figure out where the line was crossed. What changed this Boss/Assistant relationship into a Buddy/Buddy relationship?
Maybe it was the Alcohol!
We all drink, or at least we all should. If you don't, you need to try it. Alcohol has the incredible ability to break down walls, and loosen people up. What better way to see your boss in a new light then to watch as her drunk ass dances on a bar with her skirt hiked up over her pantyhose. There is just something with this picture that makes you realize that this Superhuman Boss of yours might really be as big of a mess as you. I'm not saying this happened to my friend...I'm just saying it happens.
What about your Assistant seeing you in nontraditional work attire? What if your assistant comes to your house while you are still in your pajamas, on your first cup of coffee, and then watches you brush your teeth? There is something about these acts that make you appear more vulnerable. It's not unusual behavior...but it does make you look a little less Superhuman-like. Especially when they see you in your bra and panties or your tighty whities. Isn't that just supposed to be a technique when interviewing for a job and staying calm… in other words, all in your poor assistant’s imagination?
What about your Assistant watching you make out with a client...alcohol or no alcohol? Does that fall into the category of good business or bad business? I guess it's bad business if you can't make up a good enough excuse of why it happened. That's why making out with a client better ensure future business transactions. Then it's GREAT business. And maybe your Assistant will pick up some pointers on bringing in more business.
What about when your Assistant catches you in a blatant lie? What if you are missing a business meeting and making your Assistant cover for you while you say you are having car trouble, but you're really just getting a massage? In my book that's totally fine. As long as you realize that it's a two way street and your Assistant is going to do the same to you. By the way, no one has ever really been sick on a Monday morning.
In the end you need to realize that your Assistant pretty much knows everything that you are doing anyway. Your assistant has access to your emails, and pretty much screens all of your phone calls...so they already have you figured out. We're all human and lines get blurred. Trust me, I've dated enough of my Bosses to know that's the truth.
-Stephen Brennan
-Stephen Brennan
0 Response to "The OUTLook: Boss/Assistant Protocol"
Post a Comment