I recently published an open letter to executives asking them to respect assistants. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response I’ve received. Hundreds of assistants have shared, liked, commented, and reached out to thank me for speaking out on their behalf. Unfortunately, many of them echoed my experiences with disrespect among leaders. I hope my letter encouraged many of those assistants to stand up for themselves in those situations.
Photo: Kyle Burrows
I also hope it challenged many executives to think twice before they disrespect assistants. If you missed it, you can read and share the complete letter here. However, not all executives treat assistants poorly.
The Flip Side
It has been encouraging to read the responses from assistants who tell me they work for amazing executives. Some say they have never worked for the types of executives I describe in my letter.
In light of these positive remarks, I thought I’d write a follow up to all executives who have interacted with assistants with the utmost respect, kindness, and professionalism.
My previous boss – and my current one – have both treated me more like a partner, a teammate, and a leader. For this, I am not only grateful, but excited to show up for work each day as an Executive Assistant. This thank you note is for each and every one of you who treat me and other assistants with respect.
To C-Suite Executives, VPs, Pastors, Managers, and Leadership Team Members…
Thank you.
Thank you for being kind, professional, and understanding when relating to assistants like me.
Thank you for treating us as colleagues and partners, not low-level employees who only exist to do what you say.
Thank you for asking for our opinion. Thank you for trusting us to make a decision on your behalf.
Thank you for leaving us alone on the weekends so we can be fully present with our families. Thank you for caring about our spouse and kids, our hobbies, our health.
Thank you for saying “thank you” and “please” and “you’re doing great work.”
Thank you for giving us second chances when we screw up. Thank you for sometimes taking responsibility – even when it’s our fault.
Thank you for speaking highly of us to others – in private and in public.
Thank you for giving us credit for our ideas.
Thank you for answering the hundreds of clarifying questions we might ask because you know if you do, we can better serve you.
Thank you for not scheduling meetings without checking with us first. 😉
Thank you for not micro-managing us and trusting us to figure things out.
Thank you for graciously helping us when we get stuck.
Thank you for empowering us by putting us in positions to succeed.
We love to serve, and leaders like you make it more enjoyable and fulfilling to do so.
If not for you, many of us would have given up on being an assistant a long time ago.
Thank you for respecting us.
Sincerely,
– Assistants Everywhere
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If you’re an executive or assistant who wants more time, energy, and success, I’d love to hear from you. I offer 1:1 or 1:1:1 coaching, as well as corporate training for assistant teams. Contact me here to learn more!
Also, be sure to check out the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant.
