The End is Near!

Year end reports, deadlines for the year's expenses, accruals and more!

December isn't just about that giant, jolly red elf and using vacation time.  Absolutely not!  No, its about getting ready for the next year by making sure the previous year's 'i''s and 't''s are dotted and crossed.

An Admin is aware of all the deadlines.  We put reminders on calendars, we send emails, we use sticky notes and smoke signals.  Sometimes we even stand on our heads in order to get people to do their part in the year end preparation.

As our colleagues act surprised by the pile of year-end to do's that end up on their desk, the Admin will calmly smile through the tempest in a teapot.

Managing Expectations

A good Admin will always ask for a deadline for when a task or project is due.  That way we can prioritize what we have on our plates.

Sometimes, one person's deadline must fall secondary to another high priority deadline due to management seniority or urgency of the project.

Woe be unto the person who submits a project and says, "I know you'll have this done in 5 mins, so I'm just going to send out an email saying its done!" As they scuttle out the door.

Just because you say it will be done and run, doesn't mean it will happen.  Sending out a preemptive email only makes YOU look unaware.

We Admins will manage our work loads. Thank you very much!

Following Directions

Policies and procedures are in place for reasons that are specific to the bottom line of the company.
As an admin, I am amazed by the convoluted efforts made to get around those simple steps.  All so they can "Save Time"or a classic "I don't need to follow procedure". When in reality they who go against the established protocols are just causing more problems than solving them.

The need to circumvent the process is rampant from top to bottom in an organization.  Executives do it as much as the employee at the very bottom of the employment rung.

So here is the truth, when people come to me in a fit of frustration.  Complaining about how they can't get something done because the process is broken, they present a pile of papers or an email chain of misery to me and beg me to do what they can't.  A couple of clicks of the mouse, clicks of the keyboard and a form or two printed later... VOILA!

I have performed a MIRACLE!

Maybe I have a sick sense of humor or I'm immune to their plight, they come to me grateful that I've gotten done what they've been unable to accomplish.  I simply say, when they ask how I got it done so quickly, 'I followed the directions.' without batting an eye.

Calendaring Conundrums

A certain madness is evident when maintaining a calendar for an executive.  When that duty mushrooms into multiple dynamic calendars, well, insanity is the next level of mental acuity.

I only state this obvious, need for a flexible state of mind because of the host of reschedules that happen on any of the given calendars we manage.  If we the admin lose track of the delicate thread that binds all the calendars together, it is even easier for those whose calendars we manage to become unraveled.

For example, I moved a meeting that affected the leadership team.  This meeting was not of pressing urgency as it was a month out on the schedules.  Every last one of the leadership team called me to verify that the meeting would indeed not be taking place tomorrow.

Honestly, the reschedule date is in the subject line. Sigh.