8 advantages you can learn from your assistant

i used to be an advertising assistant with 3 VPs to look after. i recently transitioned into an account person role in digital and they offered me a two-step-up promotion from where I was. I felt proud and appreciated knowing the office gurus and my old and new bosses had my back.  i wanted the promotion, i could taste it, and i fought for it.

but now i can't help but think how i had the advantage in the first place.  being the assistant is like having a direct line to the top.  your work is minimal.  expectations are basic.  you get the coffee.  you get the picture.

being an assistant taught me 8 keys to success.

you're expected to figure it out.  it's your time to shine.  take the little direction given to you and impress them with your approach.  de-clutter, reason, organize and tackle. asking questions is okay, but it's not rocket science.

my secret, after working for one of the smartest guys in the agency, was to figure 'it' out myself.  after he'd request something, 18 questions would pop in my head, but i'd mull it over before each question slowly disappeared, and i'd do the job.  

some people will always be above you, and that's a good thing.  don't pretend to be higher than anyone else.  even if you are the CEO, the underlings around you won't show you their drive and honesty about their work if you act like you have no time for them or aren't open to their ideas.

never never dis the big guy.  so what if your boss' boss praises someone else in front of you.  even if they offer another employee a porsche their opinion of you will only get worse if you criticize their own decisions. your turn will come.

expand your workload.  take on new tasks that are out of your scope.  ask people what they're doing and if they need help.  they'll likely say no, but at least you show interest.

do what small tasks others ask of you.  bitching and moaning about doing someone's photocopying or making the coffee will get you nowhere.  

you have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth. listen, engage, and don't be afraid to speak up when it's right.

dress the part.  assistants are the face of the company.  they are the first to greet guests, new clients, old business partners, and they do it with a friendly smile.  if you're dressed for the role you want, people will treat you that way.

remember your background.  as you excel and head further up the rungs, remember to keep your head in perspective and occasionally try to think like you once did - how am i going to make people happy, do the work needed, and still find time to break that glass ceiling.