Sixty
by James F. Cobble, Jr.
How can a pastor help a church secretary to improve his or her role performance at the church? I've asked that question to thousands of church secretaries. Here are the most common responses that church secretaries gave when asked what their boss could do to help them do a better job.
1. Keep me informed
2. Give clear work instructions
3. Be straightforward
4. Be specific
5. Clarify expectations
6. Show appreciation
7. Give affirmation
8. Support the secretary
9. Keep deadlines
10. Avoid last minute assignments
11. Give encouragement
12. Plan ahead
13. Be organized
14. Be aware of the secretary's workload
15. Be available
16. Consider the secretary as part of the ministry team
17. Give feedback
18. Be a good listener
19. Show patience
20. Show respect
21. Be an advocate
22. Don't take the secretary for granted
23. Be understanding
24. Include the secretary in staff meetings
25. Allow for creativity
26. Help with equipment
27. Be prepared in advance
28. Provide a job description
29. Don't tie the secretary up doing personal jobs
30. Once a job is assigned, let the secretary do it
31. Show trust
32. Include the secretary in planning
33. Delegate authority
34. Maintain an adequate staff
35. Help solve problems
36. Be confidential
37. Be loyal
38. Be trustworthy
39. Care about the secretary as a person
40. Walk in the secretary's shoes
41. Provide lots of smiles
42. Be cooperative
43. Provide good office equipment
44. Don't assume
45. Help with big jobs
46. Coordinate assignments
47. Provide continuing education funds
48. Let the secretary make decisions
49. Be considerate
50. Don't blame the secretary for every office problem
51. Get the secretary's opinion on things that affect him or her
52. Remember secretary's day
53. Be flexible
54. Have a sense of humor
55. Pray for the secretary
56. Limit interruptions
57. Be able to compromise
58. Allow the secretary to make suggestions
59. Don't ask the secretary to lie to church members
60. Don't complain about your job to the secretary