Summary:
This celebration is a testament to the invaluable role of assistants and those who support our endeavors, enabling us to optimize our time and be more effective.
Some assistants are employees, and some are independent contractors
Assistants from diverse backgrounds, spanning from typical towns in the USA to remote locations like the Philippines, India, or Pakistan, contribute to the richness of our workplaces. This global diversity broadens our perspectives and enriches our work environment, making us part of a worldwide community.
While technology significantly enhances our effectiveness, it's crucial to acknowledge that this is not solely due to our efforts. Assistants are pivotal in leveraging these tools, making us more efficient and productive. Their contributions are invaluable and deserve our appreciation.
We took the time to hire the right assistants, the backbone of our success.
Article:
I fondly remember watching television programs like "Father Knows Best," "Dennis the Menace," "Leave It to Beaver," and "Ozzie and Harriet." On those shows, the entire family would wake in the morning and show up for breakfast, the men with coats and ties. The women had beautiful dresses, high heels, and pearls. She would hand each family member their lunch and send them off for the day. The husband would get a peck on the cheek, and the kids get a loving hug. After they left, she would tidy up and vacuum the entire home, all while still wearing her dress, high heels, and pearls. Family and romanticism were everywhere.
These simpler times remind me of Great songs of Yesterday:
Jack Jones, "Time to Get Ready for Love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a-HOADT1kY
Then there was Andy Williams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98pqW8h-sn4
Then there was Andy again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tuJ34YgW0c
Then there was Perry Como.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKp1HKM_4TY
Then came the incomparable Righteous Brothers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0EBs6uRgtw
Then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVSEX2azwjE
Days of melancholy have gone by, and I miss them.
Fred woke up every morning to a fresh cup of coffee delivered by his beautiful wife, whom he had been married to for 25 years. They had a wonderful home in the suburbs and two adoring children who attended a prestigious private school. He drove a nice car, was a country club member, and had two dogs and two cats roaming around the yard. Fred lived an idyllic life described as "The American Dream," It is part of our culture to strive for.
Did Fred truly earn his keep individually, or did he rely on the skills and support of others to maintain his lifestyle?
Fred leisurely arrived at his office each morning around nine. His assistant arrived promptly at eight; she made his coffee, organized his office, and checked & sorted the mail. She went through Fred's letters and placed them in order of importance. She typed his correspondence and was very skilled at paraphrasing Fred's communications. Letters and phones were the primary communication devices, other than personal delivery. On faxes, no email, and no computers, just mimeograph machines and telegraphs for speed. When Fred writes for himself, she checks his spelling, punctuation, and word meanings to help him achieve greater clarity. She had worked for Fred for years and could communicate more factually and eloquently than himself. She was the backbone of his business, which is why it succeeded. Without her, his entire system would have broken down. Without her, Fred could not take his daily 2-hour lunches with his buddies or golf every Friday with his clients.
It's time to challenge the traditional leadership views and recognize the actual contributors to success. Any experienced businessperson will acknowledge that assistants are the backbone of 'their organization,' even if their boss has questionable marginal value. How times have changed for the 'Freds of the world.' It's time to break free from this illusion and acknowledge the actual contributors to our success. Let's empower ourselves to change the status quo.
The question was whether Fred was worthy. My first, second, and third blush is that he is not. Otherwise, there would be no question, as Ayn Rand stated in her book Why Businessmen Need Philosophy. The businessman is always guilty until proven innocent. Fred was guilty of incompetence, just like many others in his position. The Peter Principle characterized Fred. The principal promotes the tendency for individuals to rise through their organizational hierarchies, such as the corporation they work for, until they reach a level of incompetence. Fred was protected by the security of being a man's world and a vast bureaucracy, which advances employees from time spent rather than results. Did Fred possess the knowledge, experience, valued relationships, and business acumen to add value to the organization, or is he a protected parasite? How times have changed? Fred's assistant possessed 90% of his job skills and performance competence. Why did she fail to inform her superiors about her overall skills and tell them she is the main contributor to the value of his job performance and success? Did Fred recognize his assistant's high value and performance? Did he show appreciation by giving her respect, dignity, and a healthy bonus? Did he make her feel like a contributor /partner/associate to his success? Or was Fred so self-absorbed that he only recognized his value no matter how superficial?
Do we all know a Fred or two? Do we know bosses, associates, partners, or co-workers that are characteristically Fred types? Do you appreciate those around us who contribute to our success? Let's take a moment to reflect on our workplace dynamics. Do we perpetuate a culture of self-worth and undervaluation for those who assist us in our enterprises?
By showing dignity, respect, and appreciation to those who assist us, we become better individuals and foster a more pleasant work environment for everyone involved. It's crucial to recognize and appreciate the contributions of assistants, as they play a significant role in our success.