BPW and Personal Assistants


yvette23

New Member
This is a two-part question:

I don't know how many big wigs we have on here who have their own personal or administrative assistant (at work). But what do you look for in an assistant or what is your ideal admin assistant?

The reason I ask is because there is this chic here at my job that is a Director and I just got word that her assistant was "let go" yesterday after being here for only a month and was replaced with a temp as of today. The thing is, this makes Assistant #3 in less than 5 months. :lol: :smh:

The Director is a black woman; so were the assistants. :nod: And I admit, she strikes me as a pain in da azz anyway cause I've had to set up her computer and her Blackberry and she's called me dayum near everyday with dumb azz questions (yes, I'm your typical techie that thinks every question is a dumb question) :rolleyes: :lol: j/k

Now with that being stated- my mom just recently had pnemonia and she's had prior issues with her lungs (she had a tumor removed from her lung when I was HS), so she required extra care. Her longtime doctor just recently left and now she has a new doctor- a black woman. Now, I'm not the one to play the race card when it comes to my health and neither is my mom. But she says that this woman was kinda mean to her and was VERY slow in giving her the CAT scan results- the scan was done on the 20th; the results came back on the 21st- same day as her appt, which BTW the doctor cancelled- and the letter with the results wasn't post marked until the 28th. :smh: Needless to say, my mom was pissed for waiting on pins and needles that whole time and now she wants another doctor. :lol:

So I guess the second part of the question is are Black Professional women that dayum bad? Cause u know they (I say "they" because until I become Director of IT, I don't consider myself a "professional" just yet :lol: ) have the rep for being difficult to work with/for.

Discuss please.
 
So I guess the second part of the question is are Black Professional women that dayum bad? Cause u know they (I say "they" because until I become Director of IT, I don't consider myself a "professional" just yet :lol: ) have the rep for being difficult to work with/for.

Discuss please.

I don't think it's just Black women, but women in general. In my experience in the workforce (from the high school part-time gigs up into post-grad), I have had several female bosses. Most were a pain, and the one thing they had in common was that they were just to dayum emotional, and it influenced their ability to make sound, work-related decisions. And I think that's what jeopardizes their relationships w/ their employees, also. There were a couple of female execs at my last job (black and white) and they ran thru AA's like it was nothing.

I'm not saying that it's all women. Just women I have encountered in the work force with power.
 



Personally I would never work for another woman. Not trying to be funny but man its like they attitude go to another level with power. Some sistas get that I have to be twice as better than you attitude and go to far with it. Not to add them mood swings that come with it. Thanks but I will pass.
 
Some sistas get that I have to be twice as better than you attitude and go to far with it. Not to add them mood swings that come with it. Thanks but I will pass.

Part of that is because they DO! Some may go too far with it, but women definitely do have to bring their "A" game.

Women are indeed emotional creatures, but I have worked (and currently) with some kick-arse women leaders who know how to effectively do their jobs and be personable at the same time without bringing all the drama. I can think of two executives right now who work at the Atlanta airport and one is in a male-dominated field (security) who are on it! :tup:

And I know someone mentioned their personal experience, so I'm just doing the same: Not every black woman or woman for that matter is incompetent in her high-level job just because she was born with ovaries and gets the occasional PMS.

Truth be told there are some MEN who ain't got no business in executive-level positions, because they can't lead worth a dayum OR their EGOS and INSECURITIES are too much in the way. I know of one male executive like that right now! :lol:

Now as far as hiring assistants for executives, assistants need to know and understand their executive's calendar (manage their calendar), personality, work habits, etc. in order to know what their doing and be able to keep their jobs. And if they can't do that, then they need to go, because executives already have enough on their plate than to have to worry/do the simple things. I sit directly next to the assistant to our Public Affairs Director, so I see how HEAVY the workload of an assistant to an executive. And it's NO JOKE. It's not just some church secretary job (like what I use to be).... that's for sure! So those assistant jobs are really as not lightweight as it may seem.
 
Now as far as hiring assistants for executives, assistants need to know and understand their executive's calendar (manage their calendar), personality, work habits, etc. in order to know what their doing and be able to keep their jobs. And if they can't do that, then they need to go, because executives already have enough on their plate than to have to worry/do the simple things. I sit directly next to the assistant to our Public Affairs Director, so I see how HEAVY the workload of an assistant to an executive. And it's NO JOKE. It's not just some church secretary job (like what I use to be).... that's for sure! So those assistant jobs are really as not lightweight as it may seem.

Now that's true. :nod: That is one job u could not pay me enough money to do. Hell, I have enough problem keepin up with my own shat, let alone someone else's!! :lol:
 
Not trying to sterotype anyone but I have found it very difficult to work with some AA females. (mind you I said some)
My supervisor when I worked at JSU was a pain in the azz. Yep she was a AA female with many creditals but she was a plain byotch. She was always a biotch 24/7. I don't think she had a ounce of compassion in her soul. She was a big bully :). My director with the school district was the exact same. I was like dayum can we all just get along. My supervisor now is a white male and we have no problems (besides his eating obessesion.) I had the opportunity to transfer departments 2 years ago but the area that I would be in was 70% AA females. I said nope you won't get me caught up in all that drama and back stabbing. To many folks over in that department are so full of themselves. Somebody is always getting fired or asked to resign becuase this director or that director doesn't like you or some mess like that. For some starnge reason that department has the most issues, highest turnovers and bytchazzness directors. Is it because there are so many women:retard:?
 
For some starnge reason that department has the most issues, highest turnovers and bytchazzness directors. Is it because there are so many women:retard:?


Hate to say it, but YES. :nod: :lol:

That's why I love the field I'm in and my department. I am the only female and with the exception of our temporary contractor, also the only black person. :nod: My co-workers don't treat me any different and my manager (a whyte dude) let's me do my job and stays out of my way- just like I like it. :tup:

My very first job in Atlanta was with a slew of females. Talk about nothing but mess and drama!! :smh:
 
I agree all AA females are not like that, but dayum must we have such a large majority employed here

Yep men can be act crazy to. When I worked for Bellsouth when I was in school my supervisor was a flaming gay male and he was a trip. He took bytchazzness to another level:rolly:.
 
My very first job in Atlanta was with a slew of females. Talk about nothing but mess and drama!! :smh:

Well, let me get give my praises to God, because within the last few years of my career, I have worked with some GREAT women in business--- I'm talkin' great attitudes, pleasant to work with AND knew how to do their jobs well. And whatever "attitudes" they may have had, it was rarely ever directed to me, and they always gave me positive evaluations! :)

I was just recently switched to a male supervisor (about 2 weeks ago), and he's cool. But before him, I was under a woman. And I like(d) her. And the boss who is over our entire public affairs unit is a woman. And I LOVE her! Anybody who keeps giving me free tickets to attend Atlanta popular and black-tie (bougie) events, I'm 'gon stay in their good graces. :lol:
 
If she's had that many different assistants in that short of a time-span, then she's the problem. She's hard to work for...bottom line and I wouldn't want that gig. :no: Personally, I much prefer working for men...most women managers/bosses suck. :tdown:
 
Part of that is because they DO! Some may go too far with it, but women definitely do have to bring their "A" game.

Women are indeed emotional creatures,
Not every black woman or woman for that matter is incompetent in her high-level job just because she was born with ovaries and gets the occasional PMS.

Truth be told there are some MEN who ain't got no business in executive-level positions,


See proved my point. :lol: No one said these women were incompetent. Yall don't listen and hear what you want to hear. :lol: No one said that men could handle all the poistions. Now bringing your A game doesn't mean forgetting that you have a place now does it? :swink:
Remember that thread I started about this last year, well ole girl didn't last a full year. A good leader recongnizes it takes a team to get them to the top. Surround yourself with good folks and bring them along as you move up. You have to give to get. Most women don't realize that. You can't dog me and expect me to perform for you. You ain't go balls so don't try to grow some when you in charge. Have a plan and work it.
 
CEE DOG said:
See proved my point. :lol: No one said these women were incompetent. Yall don't listen and hear what you want to hear. :lol: No one said that men could handle all the poistions. Now bringing your A game doesn't mean forgetting that you have a place now does it? :swink:
Remember that thread I started about this last year, well ole girl didn't last a full year. A good leader recongnizes it takes a team to get them to the top. Surround yourself with good folks and bring them along as you move up. You have to give to get. Most women don't realize that. You can't dog me and expect me to perform for you. You ain't go balls so don't try to grow some when you in charge. Have a plan and work it.
That's very true, Cee. We had a very similar situation w/one of the women that use to work here, last year. She and the boss lady damn near came to blows because the manager wanted respect, but wasn't willing to give any. You can't do folks any kind of way and expect them to be productive...it's just not gonna happen.
 
See proved my point. :lol: No one said these women were incompetent. Yall don't listen and hear what you want to hear. :lol:


Being incompetent is debatable, because (in my opinion) if you don't have your staff behind you and allow emotions to dictate how you operate in your field, you're not good at your job, Dear---- which to me is incompetence. A good leader has the respect of his/her team.
 
Being incompetent is debatable, because (in my opinion) if you don't have your staff behind you and allow emotions to dictate how you operate in your field, you're not good at your job, Dear---- which to me is incompetence. A good leader has the respect of his/her team.

Sorry sweety, but show me a woman and I'll show you emtional. No way around it. Yall go off of emtions. It's not a bad thing, but that's the hand nature dealt women. :swink:
 
Sorry sweety, but show me a woman and I'll show you emtional. No way around it. Yall go off of emtions. It's not a bad thing, but that's the hand nature dealt women. :swink:

I hear what you're saying; just don't entirely agree with you.
My experiences in office settings are different from yours.
 



I hear what you're saying; just don't entirely agree with you.
My experiences in office settings are different from yours.

Look I hear you "I am woman hear me roar" today. :lol: I know you strong, smart and intelligent, but some folks are better off as an assistant to the boss rather than being the boss.
 
*switch* What if you have a dumb @$$hole working for you. How do you give respect to that? :xeye:
 
Look I hear you "I am woman hear me roar" today. :lol: I know you strong, smart and intelligent, but some folks are better off as an assistant to the boss rather than being the boss.

And I'm not naiive to not think that. :lol:
I'm only sharing my personal experience with business women in executive roles who I have worked with and under.
 
And I'm not naiive to not think that. :lol:
I'm only sharing my personal experience with business women in executive roles who I have worked with and under.

I feel you. :lol: Now I have had some great AA female leads, but as full fledge managers i'll keep it moving. :lol:
 
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