Who’s the Boss?
Now that you have chosen your personal assistant, you will need to consider how to be an effective employer. Your new working relationship will be made up of two very different people. Each of you will have preferences for how things are done. Each of you will have different ways of doing things. To avoid later problems, it will be best to deal with these differences from the beginning.
For each new task, be very clear from the beginning how you would like it done. Otherwise, the assistant will not be aware of your preferences. For example, assistants may tend to do your laundry the way they do their own. If you have certain preferences, be specific in how you would like your laundry done. This should be the case in all tasks – even the most basic such as dishes, food preparation, and housecleaning.
Communicating clearly with your assistant is essential. This will help him/her be effective in the job, and as a result you will be more pleased with the job that is done. Communication is critical in making your employer/employee relationship work. If things aren’t going well, you will need to discuss them as they develop. The longer you avoid discussing it, the harder and more difficult it becomes. (Communication is covered in more detail later).
Another important thing to consider at the beginning of your working relationship is respect. Mutual respect is essential in making your relationship successful and in helping your assistant feel like a valued employee. You will also earn more respect from your employee if you actively show him/her respect and appreciation. Have an “attitude with gratitude” for assistants who are dependable, trustworthy and have a real willingness to assist you.
Keep in mind that you should not treat assistants as servants. It is important for both of you that you are doing everything possible for yourself and utilizing the assistant for the things you cannot do. This will ensure that you are making the most of your time and theirs. Also, try to balance the workload, especially if you have more than one assistant.
Throughout your working relationship, remember that you are an employer, running a small business. Your assistant can be your employee and your friend; however, you must be able to balance the difference.
A successful employer/employee relationship depends upon the actions and attitudes of both individuals. Below are some attitudes and actions described by assistants who have developed good working relationships with their consumers:
|
Assistant’s part:
|
Consumer’s part:
|
|
|