How to Convince Your Older Boss that You're More than Just a Secretary

by Alex A. Kecskes

You're working for an older boss. Someone who grew up in the Mad Men era when secretaries fetched coffee, wiped off the conference table and watered the plants.

But you have a bachelor's or maybe even a master's degree in administration. You know you can do more, a lot more. So how do to convince your boss that the days of "9 to 5" are over?

Study the Company. Learn as much as you can about the company's goals. Become savvy in the marketing direction of the company. Learn its financial aspects. Then make suggestions; offer ideas on how to improve reports and summaries.

Study the Competition. Find out as much as you can about the company's competitors. Learn their weaknesses and strengths. When the opportunity arises, offer suggestions and opinions on how your company can seize opportunities and gain in market share.

Train and Supervise. If the company is about to add more support staff, offer your supervisory and training skills. Create and organize a training program to bring new employees up to speed on computer operations, copier protocols, filing and email systems.

Acquire Presentation Skills. Learn as much as you can about presentations, about the equipment and programs that bring them to life and make facts more interesting. Study the graphic elements and develop contacts with equipment suppliers. Advise your boss on the best way to present information using audio/visual/computer interfaces.

In all cases, when taking on extra tasks, learn to "own" them and be responsible for their outcome. Constantly seek to improve them and yourself. Be a mentor and motivator to those under you. And support those above you.

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