Showing Appreciation to Workplace Un-Sung Heroes

Millions of Un-Sung Heroes are born every minute! They are found everywhere-on street corners, in our homes, offices, and communities-wherever there are people in need of rescue. These special people, whose positive actions and initiatives are performed to benefit others, are not famous or in the news for what they are doing; but their efforts affect, enrich and touch countless lives.

Every business has these Un-Sung Heroes. They are the receptionists, secretaries, and administrative professionals we rely on daily to keep the wheels of corporate America turning.

The role of the office professional has changed significantly as reliance on technology and office automation has increased. Downsizing or organizational restructuring has led secretaries and administrative assistants to assume a wider range of new responsibilities that were once the property of management and senior professional staff.

How to Identify the Un-Sung Heroes in Your Office

Un-Sung Heroes are easy to recognize, but just in case you can't find them in your office, here is a simple way to help you spot their contributions.

  • You frequently go to them for coordination of office administrative and support activities.

  • They are walking libraries of information you need to service your clients.

  • You often rely on them for training and orientation of new staff members.

  • You would be lost without their expertise in researching on the Internet and operating and troubleshooting new office technologies.

  • When they are absent the office just doesn't seem to run smoothly and efficiently.

  • You haven't a clue how to make your own travel arrangements; they do this with dexterity and ease.

  • They are walking desktop publishers and proposal and presentation writers.

  • They've taught you so many important things as well as how to be self-sufficient and get your own coffee or tea.

  • They are excellent team players who understand the value of being flexible and working with others to share their expertise.

  • Let's face it, without their assistance you would not be able to perform your own job efficiently and resourcefully.

    • If you were able to spot at least one of these behaviors, you have caught a glimpse of a real live Un-Sung Hero. Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to show your appreciation for all their efforts and hard work.

    Every April, we celebrate National Administrative Professionals Week, which was originally created in 1952 as National Professional Secretaries Week to emphasize the importance of secretarial work and to encourage more women to become secretaries. Included in this week-long celebration is National Secretary's Day-a special holiday to honor, acknowledge and express appreciation for secretaries throughout the United States. Over the years as men became secretaries, the role changed significantly to that of an administrative support function. As a result the name changed to Administrative Professional's Day.

    It is customary to give a politically correct gift (cards, gift certificates, flowers, etc.) or to take the administrative professional to lunch. However, don't wait for the next holiday to acknowledge the many contributions your Un-Sung Heroes make.

    Going forward, develop a positive recognition habit and commit to finding at least one thing each week you can do to thank your administrative professional.

    Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/

    In The News:

    Wall Street Warfighters Foundation Selects First Wounded Vets for ...
    MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
    "During their military careers, Staff Sergeant Jones and Master Sergeant Holmes demonstrated every day that they are disciplined, loyal, responsible leaders ...

    Voice of America
    When One Job Isn't Enough
    LongIslandPress.com, NY - 21 hours ago
    Lloyd Staffing offers temporary, contract and full-time employment services on a regional and national basis. Send your career-related questions to ...
    The Job Hunt: Despite Slowing Economy, Older Workers Continue Job ... MidwestBusiness.com
    all 109 news articles

    Cagle announces Lanier Charter Career Academy funding
    Access North Georgia, GA - 35 minutes ago
    The academies are unique centers of learning that provide Georgia's high school students with exceptional pathways to rewarding jobs, great careers and an ...

    Recession-proof your career - Employment expert offers job ...
    MyWebTimes.com, IL - Nov 23, 2008
    ... understandable to be concerned about employment, there are steps workers can take to help them be more indispensable and “recession-proof” their career. ...

    Universities key to Michigan’s economic recovery
    Detroit Free Press, United States - 14 minutes ago
    ... but now many universities are in tune with emerging employment trends. Educators can provide invaluable guidance for workers seeking new career paths. ...

    ‘Brain drain’ grant supports effort to prepare students for ...
    University of Indianapolis, United States - Dec 3, 2008
    A substation of the university’s Office of Career Services will focus on employment opportunities for older students who have returned to higher education ...
    Butler to Use Grant to Deal With "Brain Drain" Inside INdiana Business (press release)
    all 3 news articles

    Boston Globe
    Losing jobs in unequal numbers
    Boston Globe, United States - 1 hour ago
    (Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe) By Robert Gavin The careers of Neal Boyle and Scott Hacker couldn't be more different. Boyle, whose education ended ...

    Sara Boyns named director of law firm
    The Salinas Californian, CA - 1 hour ago
    We welcome information and photos regarding people, events and other aspects of Salinas-area business, including housing, careers and personal finance. ...

    Applied Marketing Science Research Study Instrumental in ...
    PR Web (press release), WA - 6 hours ago
    Thus far, MIT has graduated two classes from the program, and nearly all have found suitable employment within their field. According to Jenny Stine, ...

    State agency posts personal data online
    Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - Dec 3, 2008
    For 19 days in October, the sensitive personal information of at least 250000 Floridians was posted on a state government employment agency Web site, ...
    careers employment - Google News

    Wanted: A Diva for the Job of a Lifetime!

    "When I was a child, I always thought the world... Read More

    Update Your Resume Today

    A friend was just promoted to a position of vice-president... Read More

    Do You Need A Mentor? And How Do You Find One?

    Whether you're self-employed or you work for someone else, you're... Read More

    Find Free Resumes Online

    Have you been spending money on countless job boards, only... Read More

    How To Deal With A Nightmare Boss

    It can happen to anyone. there's a change in the... Read More

    Telecommuting Interview Tips

    Telecommuting Interview Tips- By Nell TaliercioYou've made it! Your cover... Read More

    Tips for Handling On the Job Setbacks

    If you've chosen a business career, you will inevitably experience... Read More

    Seeking Knowledge Will Give You Power

    What are you interested in? We all have a passion... Read More

    Think About a Nursing Degree

    If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there... Read More

    What You Should Never Put on Your Resume

    Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More

    How to Get the Job You Want in Any Economy... Act Like a Headhunter

    Having spent the last few years of my career in... Read More

    Drive Your Career Change ? A Direct Approach

    If your career has gone off the road, take control... Read More

    Ten Resume Writing Tips You Can?t Live Without

    For some job opening, employers receive hundreds and even thousands... Read More

    Resumes That Work: 3 Steps to More and Better Interviews

    All of us involved with helping you get a new... Read More

    Rewriting Your Resume? 7 Easy Ways To Give Yourself An Upgrade

    In today's competitive job market, a first class resume is... Read More

    Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

    Job loss affects most of us like any other loss... Read More

    Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

    There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

    9 Tips on Creating a Professional Emailed Job Application

    With the advent of the Internet, many of us have... Read More

    How to Give Job-Winning Answers at Interviews

    Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and various other career experts... Read More

    Waiting For the Official Job Offer

    At the end of the third job interview, Helene was... Read More

    Getting Your Online Health Care Administration Degree

    Are you thinking about getting your online health care degree... Read More

    Have Some PASTA with Your Interview

    When cyclists prepare for a big race, they always make... Read More

    The Perfect Fit: Women & Franchising

    An interesting combination of factors at this time in history... Read More

    Getting Started: 5 Things You Need to Decide When You Get Started with a Job Search

    There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than... Read More

    Effective Resume and Cover Letter Writing - Part One

    To begin, make a decision to discard any former knowledge... Read More