"Don't be yourself--be someone a little nicer." Mignon McLaughlin At US companies--I can't speak to how things work in Japan--departmental admins/secretaries o

"Don't be yourself--be someone a little nicer." Mignon McLaughlin At US companies--I can't speak to how things work in Japan--departmental admins/secretaries often wield an enormous amount of influence and can absolutely help or hurt you. A personal secretary almost always has the ability to help you if they choose to. Your attitude toward them can make a difference.