Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game.

Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss.

Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues.

Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.

Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training.

Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling.

Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities.

One of my Bosses said, "You sit there and do nothing, why can't you put notes in the lawyer's software?"

Franke James, Creator of the Office-Politics Game responds, "Your job description may be 'receptionist' but there's a lot more to being successful at it than just doing the routine tasks... Many of the legal secretaries (and receptionists), I know have as much on the ball, or more, than many lawyers."

Feburary 2006

Dear Office-Politics,

I started working at a law firm in September as a receptionist. I was told by the office manager that my primary job is answering the phones, greeting guests, opening mail, delivering it, and when returned to me to record it on our legal software for client charges.

Twice in the last week the office manager and the main lawyer has said to me, "why can't you put notes in the lawyers software, you just sit there all day and do nothing".

Today, I put a call through to our main lawyer from a client that he did a will for, and she wanted to know if she could get a copy of a particular page of her will, when I put the call through to him, he asked me if her address had changed since then, I said I didn't know, and he said "Why can't you find out these things before you put the call through, you sit there and do nothing, why can't you do this?" Well, I didn't realize that I needed to find out if she had moved since her will had been done, all client wanted was a copy of something, that she was going to pick up.

Looks like I'm in a no win situation here -- time to bail out? Thank you for listening and would appreciate any suggestions you may have.

No-win-situation

Dear No-win-situation,

Working with lawyers is a skill which you can, and must learn, to survive in this job. Most lawyers are very detail-oriented and appreciate (in fact, demand) organization. They can be tough Bosses, but when you do things well you will feel great satisfaction. You have to stay one step ahead of them. I can say that because one of my first jobs as a student was working in a law office...

My advice to you is to see their criticism as constructive, and try harder. They are giving you some good tips (put notes in the software). Your job description may be 'receptionist' but there's a lot more to being successful at it than just doing the routine tasks. Working in a law office is no walk in the park. Many of the legal secretaries (and receptionists), I know have as much on the ball, or more, than many lawyers. They are sharp, proactive thinkers who anticipate what their Boss is going to need and have the facts/files at their fingertips. So, if your instinct is to rush quickly to unload a task, stop yourself and THINK! What are they going to ask me for? How old is this file? How can I make sure they notice this new message? Could this new information be critical to a file they are working on?

It can be very worthwhile, enjoyable and lucrative to work in the legal field. Make the most of this opportunity. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Regards,

Franke

Franke James, MFA
Creator, The Office-Politics Game