Q.What personal qualities should a good secretary possess?

Because a secretary is trusted with confidential information across every type of office, character matters as much as skill.

Why personal qualities matter

Every type of secretary — private, club, co-operative, government, or company — handles information and relationships the appointing body cannot afford to see mishandled. Personal character therefore matters as much as technical skill.

The key personal qualities

1. Integrity and trustworthiness — since a secretary is entrusted with confidential correspondence, financial details, and matters not yet before the general body.
2. Tact and courtesy — needed when dealing with members, directors, clients and the public, especially when conveying an unwelcome decision.
3. Accuracy and method — minutes, registers and correspondence must be precise, since a wrongly recorded resolution or missed deadline can have real consequences.
4. Initiative and organising ability — a good secretary anticipates what a meeting or correspondence thread will need next rather than waiting to be told.
5. Patience and an even temperament — essential in committee work, which often involves disagreement among members.
6. A pleasing personality and good general knowledge — since a secretary is frequently the first point of contact for outsiders dealing with the organisation. …

Answers sometimes list only technical skills (typing, shorthand) under 'personal qualities,' which actually belong to the s …