"Primarily because you can't control who you fall in love with, or in lust with for that matter. Kristi and I are a perfect example of that. It's completely out of our hands. Telling people they can't fall in love is ludicrous. If the attraction is there, it happens, with or without a rule. I do not agree that it is necessary to fire people just because they fall in love either, but, they should always act in a professional manner while at work. Nor should their personal relationship affect their work performance. Also, assistants need personal relationships with their leader so they communicate better. Some people may consider that hanky panky."
"Peggy, Stacy, what do you think?"
They both agree, but said they are learning this and it is too soon for them to offer an opinion on the matter.
"I won't argue that, either. I will get it done.... May I make an observation?" Craig asks.
"Sure, go for it."
"You are making changes here that are out of the norm. My only problem with that is I can't find fault with them, other than to say 'it's not normally done'," he said smiling. "Good philosophy, Brad. I'm beginning to think that people will like working for you. Just be careful, however, your companies don't turn into orgies."
Laughing, Brad said, "Thank you Craig. Great advice. Make sure there is something in the rulebook to deter that from happening please and we will resolve this issue at a later date.... Next up Craig, is Craig Alden. You are getting to the point where you may want to enjoy the fruits of your long commitment to living. Do you have your replacement in the works yet?"
Craig replies, chuckling, "Nicely put, Brad. I was going to talk about that very thing at the end of this meeting but we can do it now. I have five individuals I am evaluating as my replacement. When I do decide on one, I will set up an interview with the team and we will go from there."
"Thank you Craig. Always thinking ahead."
"Done."
"Next up is Kristi's promotion. I would like to promote her to lead senior executive assistant. She will handle all matters pertaining to assistants and will oversee their performance, training and reviews. She will have total authority over them, including employment decisions. Literally, she will be their boss. Specifically, she will be overseeing Jeni, Anita and Rick and any others that are employed as an assistant or staff for the three of us, plus, maintain her current contract duties. What is her current salary?"
"If I may interject Brad. Do you want to discuss this in her presence? It is not usually done."
"I am not a usual boss either, as you have learned. Besides, I have already discussed this new position with her and we have no secrets. She knows my salary by now and I'm about to find out her's so there are no problems as far as I'm concerned," Brad replies.
"No problems here either," Kristi said.
"I'm beginning to see that," Craig said. "Her salary is $70 grand a year Brad."
I would like her to have the new open employment contract and increase her salary to $85 grand, effective when the new contract, which includes her promotion, is signed. Her current contract doesn't expire for two more years. If she signs this one, it will terminate the other. Stacy, Peggy, you on board with this?"
"Sure Brad. She is your assistant. You can do what you feel is right by her," Peggy said and Stacy agrees.
"Got it," Craig said.
"Next is Anita. How long has she worked here, when is her contract up and what does she make?"
"Anita has been here for two years, roughly. She has no marks on her record, her contract terminates in one year and she is earning $54 grand a year," Craig replies.
"Stacy, you're up."
"I don't feel I am the best qualified to evaluate her performance and because of that, I don't want my inexperience to stop her from getting what she deserves. At minimum, my desire is to raise her salary to $58 grand. However, in Kristi's new position, I would like her to make that decision."
"I feel she is opening up to me and becoming more effective at her duties, but because I don't really know what she is capable of doing, I don't know what to ask of her. I'm not even sure what I should expect from an assistant, either. I'm use to doing most everything myself. It's not easy to change that quickly. I would like to keep her with me, though. Kristi?"
"I have very few problems with Anita. She continues to improve her performance so I will agree with you," Kristi said. "But I would like to push her salary up to $60 grand though. We need to keep her talent in the family."
"Stacy, may I give you and Peggy some advice?"
"Absolutely, Kristi. I would welcome that very much," Stacy said giving her a shoulder bump and smiles.
Both Peggy and Stacy have grown to like Kristi better since the announcement and are willing to give her a more favorable outlook. Brad is no dummy and, after all, he did pick her, so they decide it's time for them to follow his lead when it comes to Kristi, whether they like it or not.
"I would appreciate it also Kristi," Peggy said.
Kristi smiles, putting them at ease.
"Ninety-nine percent of assistants are born to assist. For the more serious of them, it's in their DNA. They have one primary job goal - performance. Helping you get your job done is the mark of a great assistant. It makes them happy to accomplish that. They desire to do this job. Rick and Anita fall into this category."
"The biggest problem they face is the fear of insulting their boss, which results in instant termination most of the time. So, it can be said, looking through their eyes, if they do their job, they risk getting fired. They may even insult their boss without them knowing they did it. Next thing they know, they've been fired. They live in fear of that unwritten rule above all else."
"So, it makes them cautious about what they say, and therefore, what they do. This conflict is their reality and it impedes their performance. The other problem they face right now is, after working here for about a year, they are starting all over with a new boss. To them, its like starting a new job."
"If you want to help Anita and Rick, the best thing you can do for them is to remove that 'getting fired' barrier. They do not want to insult you, nor do they want to get fired. Give them boundaries they should not cross, but at the same time, don't hold it against them if they do cross one because no-one is perfect. Do let them know and discuss it with them if it happens, however."
"Helping them means don't bring it up by giving them list of rules they have to follow. That is what a boss does. You are a leader. Get to know them personally then bring up the subject in casual conversation. Learn what makes them tick and your relationship will go a long way."
"One of the best ways to break down that barrier is to have a personal and professional relationship with them and get to know them on both levels. Become best friends. Earn their trust. Tell them a problem you are facing and ask for help. Then, let them do what they are trained to do. They will feel better about their performance, better about their job and better about you. Be willing to communicate with them in a friendly manner."
"Don't be afraid to admit your shortcomings. They know you have never done this before. Ask them how they can help you. Then, just give them the opportunity and they will love you for it, not to mention help you in more ways than you will ever know. When you achieve a great relationship, you will have laughed and cried with them. That is the mark of a great leader, and a great assistant. I have achieved that with Brad, but it was a rocky road for me, as you know."
"Let me share a short story with you, hoping it will help you relate to me as an assistant and the assistant's job. This is a very important lesson I learned about two weeks ago, the day before your father's funeral. It is important to me because I knew, at that time, I was doing a perfect job, until Brad got very pissed at me in an instant. Then things changed in a heartbeat."
"Part of my job is to protect my boss, Brad," she said smiling and motioning to him. "Upon learning his parents were going on a cruise ship, I dispatched a security team to protect them as they enjoy the cruise, but for whatever reason, I neglected to explain to Brad what I did and why I did it."
"When his parents called his personal phone, I answered it because Brad was preoccupied.... Before I continue with my story, I must explain that I am trained to answer phone calls as part of my job. I had Brad's phone and when it rang and I answered it by reflex. I was not thinking about what phone it was, I just answered it. Brad viewed this as me encroaching on his personal life, something I was not intentionally trying to do. I spoke to his parents and checked his emails without thinking it would cause a problem. I just wanted to help him get his work done and keep him moving to stay on schedule. That was one of the things that set him off, but that was not the worst thing."
