A Leader's Greatest Asset

A key person in any organization and possibly the leader's greatest asset is an effective secretary. These unsung heroes of the company are often the ones with the insights and sensitivity that make the institution sing. I have had many wonderful secretaries over the years and each of them has added so much to my ministry.

There are so many strengths that good secretaries bring to a ministry but I would like to mention only five in this posting.

First, most secretaries have great gifts in management and so they are, usually, greatly organized. I have many times left my desk, covered with piles of papers, legal pads, pens, and electronic devices in order to talk to my secretary, only to find her desk with every thing in its place, a file system that enables quick recovery of information, and a clean, clutter-free work space. After obtaining the data that I needed, I returned to my unique mess of chaos and mysterious mountains of paper work. Oh, how I could learn from my efficient secretary!

Second, secretaries are close to the action. They are in the know because they often rub shoulders with workforce. The ivory tower of the leader is usually isolated from reality with several layers red tape and administrative distance. If I wanted to know what was really happening, I would ask my secretary - she usually had a much more accurate picture of things than I did.

Third, sometimes the title or position of the leader causes certain employees and stakeholders to shy away from sharing their hearts in a candid ways. Often those same stakeholders will share with the leader's secretary in the outer office what is intimidating to share in the leader's presence. If a leader wants to really hear the voice of the people, the secretary is usually the best place to start. With an ear to the people, the secretary can provide valuable information about the health of the organization. I think the strategy of some employees is to share their concerns with the secretary in hopes that she/he will relate the thought to the leader. Great care needs to be given to avoid gossip and the betrayal of confidences, but an open dialog with one's secretary can provide unique perspectives on the ministry of the organization.

Fourth, the effective secretary brings invaluable insights to the leader's blind-spots. Reminders of important deadlines, of forgotten perspectives, of programmatic details, of canceled appointments, of new commitments....all these, and more, make a good secretary priceless. The leader often charges into life like a bull toward the toreador's cape - the secretary often helps the leader to slow his run in order to look around and see reality. A soft word, a gentle smile, a strange look, a word of caution, or a firm question can all be used with effectiveness by a good and sensitive secretary to help the leader avoid embarrassment, blunder, and poor decision making.

Fifth, the secretary can provide honesty in the context of loyalty. If a positive, professional relationship has been built based on trust and integrity, the leader's secretary can be a primary source of straight answers (even when it hurts) and truthful opinions (even when they are contrary to the leader's thoughts). If the secretary feels valued and appreciated, she/he will develop a deep sense of loyalty for the leader. If the secretary has a sense of being kept in the loop of knowledge and acknowledged as an important voice to be heard, her/his buy-in into the values of the ministry will be rich and true.

An excellent secretary is worth her/his weight in gold to the leader and to the organization. (Leadership Hint: don't ask your secretary how much she weighs in order to ascertain this actual value)

May leaders everywhere remember, respect, and encourage these heroes that keep the organization afloat, that under-gird the leadership with servanthood, and accomplish more tasks in a given day (everyday) than is humanly possible!!