Well, in some cases that would be a bad idea. (For example, I am personally not big on hugs and tend to stiffen up kind of like a cat when encountered with an unexpected one.) However, hopefully you know your secretary (aka Administrative Assistant) well enough to know how to bless him or her for Administrative Assistant's Week.
Now, there is a chance that you don't really know exactly what this person does all day. It usually varies widely by industry, location, personality and a great number of other factors. There are a few traits that are common, though.
1. The ability to sincerely smile 92.4% of the time, despite what is thrown at them.
2. A lack of whininess (although occasional venting is bound to happen.)
3. A knowledge of policy, procedures and laws, and a strict adherence to them (even when they are profoundly stupid).
4. The energy and courage to work to change those profoundly stupid policies, procedures and laws.
5. The ability to multi-task (i.e. answer the doorbell, phone and walkie talkie while taking a child's temp, doing payroll, turning off the fire alarm and counting money and trying to figure out when to go to the bathroom or inhale lunch.)
6. The insight that it is more important to know how to fix mistakes and apologize quickly than be perfect and never lose one's temper.
7. A desire to serve others.
8. And most importantly, making 1-7 look easy (most of the time)even though it isn't.
So, with or without the hug, be sure to say "Thank You" this week. On behalf of my fellow secretaries, you are very welcome.
