Recently I have received numerous emails asking how I handle my executives asking me to get them coffee, clean up a meeting room, and run personal errands for them.
Well, I know that back when I first started in the administrative professional industry this was the norm. It was part of your job, you did not question or feel less of a person because you were doing these "tedious" tasks as some call it.
In your mind the role has changed, and you feel that you should not have to do these types of tasks that you should be more involved and that someone at a lower level should do them. Also, the college degree that you received does not mean that these tasks are beneath you.
If you have chosen to make the administrative professional industry your career, then you must learn a few things. These things that are being asked of you will not change, they will continue to be asked no matter what level you are at. At the C-Level you will probably be asked to do even more of these types of tasks because you are the person that your executive trusts, you know them, you know that everything you do is a reflection on them, so you need to make them look good as well as the company.
Here are what I call the 4 A's that help any administrative professional no matter if they are entry, junior or senior level in their career:
Accept - when you accept that these are part of your day to day and work them into your mindset it is much easier. Also, this helps you be proactive. You know that your executive is having a huge meeting and that coffee etc. will be needed so go ahead and get it out of the way. Come in early and set everything up. Don't feel this is beneath you. Remember when it looks professional the external people will notice and they sometimes even make comments so take it as a pat on the back.
Adjust - change your mindset of your position and look at how you are impacting the day to day of the company. By you just making something as small as a coffee run or getting that special tea a guest likes it shows to the guest that this is a professional organization. It is all about how they see the company and you have a major impact on that.
Adapt - this role will constantly change, and each executive is different. Some will want you to get them coffee, have their special drink etc. and some may not. If you learn to adapt to the changes it will make things much easier and you won't feel like you are doing tasks that are beneath you. In this industry there is no task that is beneath because your executive always comes first.
Avoid - this is not avoiding the task but avoiding the disgruntled talk with others that you may want to express. Don't do it. It will get back to your executive. If you just can't get past them asking, then your next step would be to work hard and move to another position. Don't burn the bridge because in order to grow in the company you need to have your executives support.
These all come with experience and mindset change. I can tell you from personal experience that when you learn these it makes things much easier. Others do notice and believe it or not you will be asked to do more and be more involved.
Remember that sometimes when they ask you to do the tasks you don't feel you should it could be a test, and I know that I would prefer to pass a test than to fail one.
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