Queen Bee

I have worked for many years as an executive assistant, usually for a CFO or Vice President. There was always an executive assistant who ranked higher than me. She supported the CEO or President of the company. No matter where I worked, this lady was always extremely self confident and bossy. Her skills were no better than the rest of us admins, but she had power. She is the Queen Bee.

Did the Queen Bee become bitchy and arrogant after she got the job?  Or did she get the job because she had a demeanor that commands respect?  

I think I know the answer because I am now the Queen Bee. 

I became a CEO’s assistant a year ago. Thanks to many years in great companies in various roles, plus lots of lessons in leadership, I have acquired a lot of good skills and poise and I definitely came into my new job with self confidence. I work very independently, I make decisions all day acting on behalf of a very successful person and I seem to get it right. 

As part of my role, I am often asked to be the messenger and deliver some communication that the other party doesn’t necessarily want to hear. Sometimes I see a process that could stand improvement and I take the initiative to make changes. I have been fortunate that my boss has empowered me. 

My first attempt is to get people to “want to” not “have to”. Sometimes I’m literally delivering a message and it’s all “have to”. I’ve learned that if you sound meek, no one listens. Somewhere between impatience and disappointment in human nature, I think I started to sound bitchy lately. And I’m sorry to say, it’s much more effective!  

Queen Bee is growing on me.

Do I want that to continue?