Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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Five Ways to Acknowledge Your Administrative Assistant

21 Apr 2014 By: Diane Gottsman

This week is Administrative Professionals Week, a perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for the diligent work done by those handling your office. Here are a few ideas that will demonstrate you recognize his or her hard work, whether you are their boss or co-worker.

  1. Pay for his or her lunch. Believe it or not, taking your assistant to lunch may not be top of their list! What may be more appealing is a break from the office. Consider giving them a gift card to their favorite restaurant, coffee shop or deli.
  2. Deliver praise in front of your team. Acknowledge his or her efforts at the weekly staff meeting, in your company newsletter, on Twitter or in front of your clients. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate a sincere compliment? See my article on The Incredible Power of a Compliment for some inspiration.
  3. Put it in Writing. Purchase a card and have the office sign it, citing something specific he or she does to make your office life easier. Make your words meaningful and genuine.
  4. Say it with flowers, or a fresh plant. While you don’t have to send an over-sized bouquet, consider a bright and cheery collection of flowers or something from the entire office to start the day off. Place it on their desk before they arrive for an early morning greeting.
    Five Ways to Acknowledge Your Administrative Assistant by Diane Gottsman Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority

    Image: FTD.com

  5. Offer a thoughtful perk. There are countless ways to express your gratitude for a job well done.  Surprise your assistant with the afternoon off, or lighten their workload by removing a project from their to-do list, instead working through it yourself.
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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.