Say Yes to the Suit
When I was an intern for a company, I had a boss who basically saw me as a personal assistant. Consequently, one time he forgot his wife’s birthday and gave me a budget and told me to go to Tiffany’s and buy her a present. I really did not want to do it because I felt really awkward but part of me couldn’t help but want to do it because I was getting paid to shop instead of the other work I had to do. I don’t really know the moral/lesson of the story except that his wife loved the gift and hopefully she felt special because her husband took the time to buy her a gift…er took the time to tell an impressionable undergrad to go buy the gift. But of course she doesn’t know that. In the end, he wrote me a glowing recommendation and I hear that they are still married.Have you ever been in a situation where your boss asks you to do something but he isn’t really asking?
Better yet…have you been in a situation like that of Andy in The Devil Wears Prada where your boss asks you to do something that has nothing to do with your job description?
Chances are, if you work in any type of job setting (not just Corporate America) you have come across this scenario.
If not, I have a real-life example for you to check out:
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Although some people would have stood their ground and told their boss buying a gift for his wife is inappropriate and unprofessional, our friend here actually benefited from this do-girl task.
Here’s a few reasons why you should Say Yes to the Suit (your boss):
1. Who’s the Boss?!: Your boss holds the key to several things: your paycheck, your opportunities on your current job, recommendations for future positions and graduate school.
2. Return the Favor: If your boss is nice, they have probably done something to give you a break in the past. Take this as a small token of your appreciation for them (as long as it does not break company policy). Also, doing this task may lead you to great rewards in the long run.
3. Pay your dues: One day, when you’re the boss, you can make the decision as to whether or not you’ll put your subordinates in this type of position. Until then you’ll need to pay your dues.
Bottom-line, one of the first things you learn when you’re on the job is that when your boss asks you to do something, you do it. Unfortunately we don’t always get along with our bosses but we still need to do some things that will make them happy. When asked to do a favor for your boss make sure you stick to your morals and company policy but other than that, do the best you can to get it done.
Leave a comment if you have ever been asked to do something you really did not want to do for your boss. We’d love to hear from you!
Jessica Ebony
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