In today’s business world, being proficient in a specific skillset is not always enough. To be successful in an administrative role, it is also necessary to demonstrate professionalism, a customer service mindset, a proactive approach, and a positive attitude.
It’s disappointing to get passed up for a promotion, and it’s frustrating when you believe you earned it. But if you find yourself in this position, don’t let it get you down for long. “Getting passed up should fuel your competitiveness and light a fire under you,” says LaSalle Network CEO Tom Gimbel.
Even if you make a great argument for why you should earn more money, your employer may be unable or unwilling to increase your pay. But there are workarounds.
Q: “I am a happily married man in my mid-forties with three young children. During my career, I have built a successful business and accumulated enough wealth so that I have no worries about money. My problem is that I really don’t know what motivates me anymore. None of the traditional types of motivators—like achievement, social interaction, or service to others—seem to apply to me. Can you help me figure out what I’m missing?” Apathetic Business Owner
It is surprising to hear assistants tell me they don’t want a boss standing over their shoulder telling them what to do and how to do it all the time. But in the next breath, many of these same assistants complain that their bosses fail to convey expectations clearly enough. It’s an administrative dilemma.
Ever get a call from an employee who immediately launches into an angry diatribe? This trick might tone them down: Before they go on too long, ask them to hang up, calm down a little, and call back in 60 seconds. That short breather period often acts as a natural sedative, and rationality returns.
Too often women hesitate to ask for what they want, need and deserve until given permission. Women are just as effective at negotiating—it’s simply a matter of choosing to do so.