Respect, how do you know you have it?

[andrea843]

As we all know, professional respect, (the acknowledgement that we, as admins, have the respect of our employers and supervisors) is vital to being successful, to moving onwards and upwards in the field.  So today's question is this:  how do you know you HAVE respect.  What quantifies it for you? Is it simply your employer's attitude, or something more concrete?



Share your thoughts/examples.  Enquiring minds want to know.



Andrea in Chilly rainy Chucktown....



 

[Katie G]

Well, for me it's two major things....



 Being kept "in the loop" about what's going on.  This tells me that my job is recognized and important.  I like to know what part my tasks have in the bigger picture.  



Attitude is, of course, very important and it's a bunch of little things like making eye contact when speaking to me or letting me finish what I am saying without cutting me off or butting in (hate that!), or speaking to me without "dumbing down" your vocabulary (I'm quite conversant in English, thank you.)



   

[jewels6567]

Definitely part of it for me is treating me like I'm an adult.  The last place I worked they tended to treat their admins like children (having your time report approved, letting someone know when you are stepping away to the ladies room, etc.)  



Also a big part is if I have a suggestion about how to do a certain thing that might make it better actually listening to what I have to say and taking it under consideration.







 

[phoenix55]

For me, respect means not being patronized--for being recognized for doing an important job and having extraordinary skills.  I manage the support staff (clerks, secretaries, procurement people) in a law enforcement agency.  Recently I had one of the other managers (not a support member) tell me that describing myself and my staff as "support" was demoralizing.  Never did he check with them to see if they (or I) minded--in fact, we got together and requested several years ago to be referred to as the support staff, not the "clerical" staff because what we did went way beyond typical "clerical" duties--duties we felt "supported" the mission of our agency.  Oftentimes this same person will inquire if we don't want to be more than just "clericals."  This is the kind of person who has no idea what we do, doesn't care that we take extreme pride in our unique skills, nor does he even acknowledge (in this case, yes, a "he" but I've also encountered women bearing the same attitude) that those skills, are in fact, unique.  Respect's a biggie with me--without us, the office would be a MESS!!!



Oh--did I answer the question?  Sorry.  Had to vent just a little.  



Calming down in upstate NY on my day off....turning on Aretha:  "R-E-S-P-E-C-T...."

[msrobbie]

ness /-n&s/ noun

synonyms SUPPORT, UPHOLD, ADVOCATE, BACK, CHAMPION mean to favor actively one that meets opposition. SUPPORT is least explicit about the nature of the assistance given <supports waterfront development>. UPHOLD implies extended support given to something attacked <upheld the legitimacy of the military action>. ADVOCATE stresses urging or pleading <advocated prison reform>. BACK suggests supporting by lending assistance to one failing or falling <refusing to back the call for sanctions>. CHAMPION suggests publicly defending one unjustly attacked or too weak to advocate his or her own cause <championed the rights of children>.





Why don't you copy this and e-mail to your co-worker?

[sungoddesslv]

Go, Ms. Robbie.



After working as an admin for over 20 years, I've learned a lot about how an office is run.  I've learned how to work and repair just about every kind of machine. I've learned how to handle problems, to be proactive not reactive, to be resourceful and I've learned to change with the times.  There is just so much that one learns over 20 years.  Experience!  Having "been there, done that" provides us with lots of knowledge.



All of this combined plus the experience in handling people, professionalism, knowing how to "play the game", etc., helps executives and co-workers to know that this is my career and it's what I do best.



Although you could say I "HAVE" their respect, I'd rather say that I've earned their respect.  Just as they have earned mine.



sungoddess . . . in rainy and cold Las Vegas



 

[phoenix55]

I needed that!