At times the queen may assist in what’s often looked down on as menial tasks, such as transcribing meeting minutes, typing memos or copying documents. It’s usually at this point that folks often overlook her true capabilities. But in reality, every subject knows the true extent of her queendom. You see, in colleges and universities the world over, while hundreds of individuals – nay thousands – have been groomed to become CEOs, board presidents, and upper management personnel, there is yet one area that most have overlooked: simple office procedure. The true queen realizes that it doesn’t matter how many hours of academics you’ve contributed, or what the topic of your thesis may have been; if there’s no one in your organization who knows how to answer the telephone (and the proper greeting) – you’re doomed. If there’s no one who can retrieve voice mail, put a call on hold, or conference a call through – you won’t be in business for very long. If there’s no one who can unjam the copier, format a document, schedule a meeting in your computer’s calendar, or send an envelope thru the postage meter – how long do you think your company will last? Is there any trustworthy colleague who knows a decent caterer – and at a reasonable price? Can successfully negotiate a decent hotel room rate? Knows the specific details for the maintenance crew? If not, your failure is imminent.
Queendom is the status by which all other positions are measured. Simply put, the world is full of know-it-alls and degree holders. And that’s the beauty of true queendom: it’s one of the few positions remaining where life skills and life experience actually account for something. The true queen knows her worth, yet she doesn’t wield her power over her subjects. She knows that all the years of nurturing her children, assisting ailing relatives, extending kindnesses to her neighbors, and honing her organizational skills weren’t for naught. She realizes that, while some consider hers to be a routine support position, she’s the one who keeps the work flowing, sends cards & flowers to the sick, remembers the important dates – and the cakes, and the gifts, cleans the kitchen when necessary, keeps the copier filled with paper, clears each jam, calms the irate caller, assures there’s postage in the meter, refills the toner, maintains the staff calendar and the staff roster, maintains office supplies (pens, markers, scissors, staplers, paper clips, etc.), and the other necessities (soap, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.). Lastly, it’s she who preps the big guy of what’s up next, where to be, what to take, what to do when he gets there, makes sure that he gets there – intact – and with all items in tow. And she does so with dignity and grace.
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