Message #54591

[raindance]

I like the points you make, Sandra, particularly "C".  

The reality of the working environment is that it is a somewhat artificial set-up.  Many of us who post on this message board are privy to all sorts of confidential matters, great and small, and some work at a very high level.  If you are "the Boss's assistant" then you have to be very careful about the alliances and friendships you make at work.  I would advise anyone working in an office to be friendly with everyone, but familiar with no-one.  On the face of it, that advice might seem to kill off friendships, but not necessarily.   It can be "lonely at the top", but that's the price you pay for being there.

From my own experience, I can confirm that it is a mistake to "vent" to colleagues.  People do get jealous - usually for the most stupid of reasons - and you can't prevent such a thing happening.  

I would only discuss difficulties at work with my boss, people outside work, or, if I need another admin professional's perspective, in here where very few people actually know me.  

LL, you can always chew things over with people in here - it's very supportive, as you have discovered, and there isn't much you can "throw" at the board that someone hasn't experienced before.

Best wishes,

Raindance