Being an assistant to the boss has big shoes to fill.
You are expected to have duties to collaborate, organize, perform, and report in a daily basis.
At times, you have to hold the fort for your boss, so to speak, when he is not around or unable to attend a meeting.
In short, being an assistant means being an extension of your boss who you represent.
Your main aim is to achieve the efficient services and right representation of your boss and the company as an assistant.
Having a good relation with the boss is essential so you can be effective as an assistant as a real or virtual staff.
And keep in mind that proper and courteous communication should be observed at all times to prevent misunderstanding or simply sounding obnoxious that can strain the.
Learning how and what to work around with your boss can pin point some of the most important elements of good relationship with a boss.
Leveling expectations.
Knowing what to deliver can greatly narrow down the possible expectations you have with your boss.
Having a brief and monthly check up discussion with the boss can update any milestones you both have previously targeted and keep you both in track with how the working relationship is being perceived.
Performance appraisal can be more impartial and less political when this precautionary meet ups is implemented in a weekly or monthly basis.
Also, if you have the right permission from the boss, you can also present your expectations about your job.
This can gauge how much you can be able to give to your superior and the areas of the job you need help with.
Never be too shy to ask for the right resources for your job to make your job efficient.
Make to-do-lists easier for your boss to follow.
You have to manage the paperwork and notifications for your boss in a systematic process that he can follow.
Providing the boss with a fixed schedule of the tasks you handle can give him an idea when he can get in touch with you without causing too much distraction and will also give him an idea of the expected progress regarding your work.
Filtering the boss' emails and responding to appointments can be done in the first hour of the day, preparing documents for signing can be scheduled next, followed by a brief touch base schedule briefing, and so on and so forth.
Having a definitive time for tasks can help your boss expect your audience and can give you both the leverage of knowing each other's availability.
Controlling the boss' time.
Most bosses are slumped in too much conferences, meetings, appointments, and other group convergence that they have no more time for their actual job - which is management.
As an assistant, you should be talented in scheduling just enough time spent on each representation without leaving an impression of being hurried or neglect.
Use modern real-time communications technology like video conferencing, live chat, teleconferencing and other methods of getting a hold of a number of people to discuss relevant issue concerns.
And always check discussion materials for your boss ten minutes before actual meetings.
If you can offer a breathing period of at least a few minutes to help the boss cope with the facts of the next set of meeting.
Use humor to cope with petty annoying instances.
You know all too well how much humor can save your job during those trying times when you have a big mistake committed or when your boss seem to have those moody days.
Remember that you are an assistant to the job of the boss.
Do not take everything too personally at work or just ask for a few minutes of brisk walking when everything seems not to go your way.
Explore how you can express your negativity in a more positive note and way.
This attitude can help you keep up a professional mental outlook that can give you a more reliable reputation.
Now, if you have done all the possibility to foster good working relationship with your boss and you both still end up being hostile and toxic to one another, then consider a transfer or watch out for another job.
Being an assistant is a noble job and you have to protect your self-esteem and reputation to possess competent track record.
You can never tell how or when the boss has established a certain level of trust on you being his assistant, but stay patient and be assured that with your positive working attitude and efficient methods, you will be able to get his approval in no time.
Just remember that like in any relationships, workplace communications can help you in fostering productivity, cooperation, and professional success.
Even if you are working as a real-time or virtual assistant, never be too comfortable of just being the boss clerk, be a full-time assistant the he can surely depend on.