“I cannot function without my secretary,” admits the always-on-the-go boss Asha Arondekar, Founder, Orchid Group of Companies. Its a phrase that has often been repeated by bosses who have come to depend and rely on their man or woman Friday with implicit faith, in the process building one of the best known work relationships.
Referring to her secretary Ashwini Gauns as an amazing bundle of energy, Asha is happy at how quickly Ashwini has learnt on the job in just a two-year tenure. “She has moulded well, over a period of time, and risen to my mental wave length. She knows I am a stickler for perfection and handles all my work – both professional as well as personal, with aplomb. In fact, she will rise up to any role that is given to her. Earlier I had a male secretary for seven years, but now it is better to have a woman as we understand and bond better together,” she elucidates.
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Left to concentrate solely on his artistic endeavours, Subodh Kerkar is grateful to his secretary of 20 years, Carmine Fernandes, for handling just about every matter that pertains to his work and his gallery. “I cannot function without her,” is his fervent claim as well. “Carmine came from a very humble background, but today she has become part of the art scene, learning on the job and developing the confidence to deal with the best of the best. She assists not only me but other artists from the art fraternity as well. She is very dependable and on the same wavelength, which is a great asset. She shares a good equation with my family as well.”
On the other side of the coin, secretaries pay a similar obeisance to their bosses. “She’s the best,” votes Ashwini Gauns of her boss Asha Arondekar. “The way she manages her home and work has been a constant source of inspiration to me and the rest of the staff. Moreover, she is so approachable. I feel comfortable with her and free to discuss any matter. I have been working for her for just two years, but I am completely attuned to how she works and what she needs. I vote her a number one boss.”
“My boss Subodh and I are so attuned to each other’s thinking that we often complete each other’s sentences,” endorses Carmine. “There is compatibility of work. He trusts me with all of his work and knows I will get it done. But one of the reasons why I have been around for 20 years is that he is such a good person – always very helpful and always ready with a word of advice and guidance.”
A surmises of this relationship is perhaps best described by Maria Fernandes who has been working as a PA to the director of a multinational company for over two decades. “I’ve worked for many bosses over the years and the relationship has always been professional. But I recall one boss in particular with whom I worked for nine years. I shared a good rapport and equation not only with him but his family as well. In fact, we still keep in touch and I am invited for many family functions. Relationships such as these last a lifetime!”
