The job of admin is eye-opening and a source for rich educational opportunities (you will never truly know a person until you see the nitty gritty of their behind-the-scenes business work). But the job of admin can sometimes be thankless.
Admins are often seen as obstacles, as barriers you have to get around or through in order to get done what you want. We even talk about them as such: “I have to get past the secretary” or “I wish I could figure out how to get around her assistant.” Admins are indeed often gatekeepers–that’s usually part of their function. They field enquiries, direct contacts, keep the wheels of progress turning so that the organization or person employing them can function effectively.
When it’s time to dole out thanks and rewards, it’s rarely the admin who gets them–the perks go to the persons employing the admin. This is especially true if the admin does her job exceptionally well (because in so doing, she will make his employer look that much better without making it appear as though the boost in performance is coming from anyone other than the employer).
That’s not to say that all admins are stellar. There are plenty who aren’t. But for every less than stellar admin who makes you frustrated, there are dozens of hard-working and highly competent admins about whom you may not think twice because they simply did their job, and that was that. It’s easier to recall the bad ones than the good ones.
Today’s an opportunity to say thanks to the good ones.
Gratitude Mission, Day 9: Thank an admin
Most of us will have some contact with an admin (or assistant or secretary or clerk or helper or etc.) of some type today, when we call to make an appointment, when we send an email to ask a question, when we go seeking help with a product we purchased, when stop in at an office to drop off some papers, when we place an order, when we coordinate with someone to plan an event… chances are, somewhere along the line, we’ll talk to or work with an admin. No need to be over the top; just remember when you’re working with or talking to that person to give them a genuine thanks. You’ll probably brighten their whole day.
And if you hire an admin (or several), don’t wait until Administrative Professionals Day to let them know you appreciate what they do. Tell them often and sincerely. Having been an admin in some form on and off since I began working as a teenager, I can vouch for the difference it makes when you work with someone who genuinely appreciates your efforts!
* Remember to tag your thanks with #30thanks if you want other gratitude adventurers to be able to find you.
I’m Marissa, can-do-ologist, perpetual Curious George, and daily adventurer. 
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She initially made me angry and then…this admin made things right and it made a huge difference in the tone of my day.
http://sheenalashay.com/2010/11/thank-an-admin/
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