COPING WITH ‘SECRETARIES’
By
Austin is the founder of Austine Reviews, a website that focuses on reviewing academic and literary works.
Ceremoniously, secretaries would be delineated as persons that keep the records of any organization. During meetings, company files and possibly clerical works as it may be. However, in this context, other inherited and assigned functions apply. Noteworthy is that the job description could be expanded to fulfil the functions of a receptionist, clerk, typist and computer operator, messenger, office help and what-have-you, especially in small organizations. Contextually, this would be tagged ‘secretary.’
Quite obviously, formal settings are bureaucratic. The intricacies are just of differing dimensions based on the established framework. Say you want to visit a middle level manager; after the initial waltz through security and you arrive at your target, the last hurdle could be very challenging. You want to see him, book an appointment, drop-off a proposal, make a presentation or what-have-you, it depends largely on this ‘line of defence.’
An anecdote. Recently, alongside a team, we applied to make a presentation to a high ranking officer in an establishment. After the stress of preparing the proposal and all the planning, the defence line, obviously not impressed or maybe we missed out on an expectation, ‘forgot to deliver ‘ then ‘misplaced’ the proposal. Basically, it was over-delayed, before it got to the intended target.
You see, there are three species of Nigerians I am extra diplomatic with.
1. Soldiers.
2. Nurses.
3. Secretaries and support staff.
In the case of the latter, there have been endless instances. The key is quickly detecting what makes him or her tick, observing the environment, dancing to the tune and you would be rewarded with the hasty processing of your application(s) and appointment(s).
You would also spend less time expelling spittle in the name of demanding for your right, educating the secretary on courtesy and clerical duties et al, which will most likely fall on deaf ears. ‘THE MEETING,’ a local movie by Rita Dominic depicts this closely.
Coping with the support staff of key officials you are involved with is critical! It helps you with timely achievement of your tasks.
Funny