Assistant

Assistant

An assistant is a person or electronic tool who or that assists another person accomplish his or her goals. Some assistants are strictly based at one's place of employment, while others assist with personal, sometimes home-related tasks. In cases where the assistant is heavily relied upon, the assistant may be known as a right-hand man or yes-man.

Yes Man

The term "yes man" is typically used for an employee who agrees with every statement of his or her employer. [ [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yes%20man Merriam Webster online dictionary] ] . Some synonyms of "yes man" are "flunky," "stooge," "butt-boy," "suck-up," "kiss-ass," and "sycophant"; all of which have pejorative connotations. [ [http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/YESMAN Word Web Online] and slang usage documented in [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=yes+man the Urban Dictionary] .] Such a person may also be referred to as a "lapdog". [Example of usage: [http://www.gonzaleswatch.com/2007/08/28/lapdog-loyalty-a-yes-man-takes-one-for-the-president/ Lapdog Loyalty: A “Yes-Man” Takes One For The President] ]

Right Hand Man

Unlike "yes man", the term "right hand man" has positive connotations. SomeWho|date=May 2008 assert that the term is based on the fact that most people are right-handed. Understood this way, the term refers to one who has the responsibility, knowledge and understanding, authority and ability to implement a plan articulated by one in a position of authority.

The term "right hand man" may also be based on the idea of a king having his adviser sit at his right side. Understood this way, the term refers to one who informs and advises a person in a position of authority, instead of one who implements the plans of authority.

In Ancient Greece, soldiers typically fought in a formation called a phalanx, where co-operation between soldiers was vital. Each soldier carried his shield on his left side, while his right side was protected by the man standing to his right. Understood this way, the term refers to one who is indisposable; a protector. A biblical explanation also exists; in the King James Version of the Bible, Jesus is said to be "at the right hand of the Father(God). see Mark 16:19. Luke 22:69. Acts 2:33. Acts 5:31. Acts 7:55. Acts 7:56. This reference, in light of the whole of the biblical narrative, casts Jesus as either or both an implementor of a plan and/or one who is indisposable.

The Helper

People with the Helper personality, at their best, are compassionate, attentive, generous and caring but they can also be particularly prone to clinginess, neediness and manipulation. Helpers want, above all, to be loved and needed and fear being unworthy of love.

References

ee also

* Éminence grise
* Intelligent agent
* Henchman


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  • assistant — assistant, ante [ asistɑ̃, ɑ̃t ] n. • 1400; de assister I ♦ N. m. pl. Les assistants : ceux qui assistent à qqch. ⇒ assistance, public; auditeur, spectateur, témoin. Une femme parmi les assistants. II ♦ Personne qui en assiste une autre pour la… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • assistant — as‧sis‧tant [əˈsɪstnt] noun [countable] JOBS 1. also shop assistant or sales assistant someone who sells things in a shop; = sales clerk …   Financial and business terms

  • assistant — n Assistant, helper, coadjutor, aid, aide, aide de camp all denote persons who take over part of the duties of another, especially in a subordinate capacity. Assistant is applicable to a person who meets this description, regardless of the status …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • assistant — assistant, ante (a si stan, stan t ) adj. 1°   Qui assiste. Il se dit particulièrement des ecclésiastiques qui, dans les messes solennelles, assistent le célébrant à l autel. Être assistant, servir de prêtre assistant.    S. m. L assistant, le… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Assistant — As*sist ant, a. [Cf. F. assistant, p. pr. of assister.] 1. Helping; lending aid or support; auxiliary. [1913 Webster] Genius and learning . . . are mutually and greatly assistant to each other. Beattie. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mil.) Of the second… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • assistant — ASSISTANT, ANTE. adj. Qui est présent en un tel lieu. Il y avoit tant de Prêtres assistans à l Autel. Les Evêques assistans. Le premier, le second Evêque assistant.Assistant, s emploie souvent substantivement. Tous les assistans furent édifiés.… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • assistant — Assistant. s. m. v. Celuy qui est present. Il pria tous les assistants. un grand nombre d assistants. Il se dit de aussi ceux qui ont quelque fonction dans une ceremonie, dans un sacre. Les Evesques assistants. il y avoit tant d assistants à l… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Assistant — As*sist ant, n. 1. One who, or that which, assists; a helper; an auxiliary; a means of help. [1913 Webster] Four assistants who his labor share. Pope. [1913 Webster] Rhymes merely as assistants to memory. Mrs. Chapone. [1913 Webster] 2. An… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • assistant — I noun abettor, accessory, accomplice, adiutor, adiutrix, adjutant, adjuvant, advocate, agent, aide, aide de camp, aider, apprentice, associate, backer, champion, clerk, coadjutor, coaid, collaborator, colleague, confederate, confrere, cooperator …   Law dictionary

  • assistant — → asistente, 2 …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • assistant — [n] helper abettor, accessory, accomplice, adherent, adjunct, aide, ally, appointee, apprentice, associate, attendant, auxiliary, backer, backup*, coadjutant, coadjutor, collaborator, colleague, companion, confederate, cooperator, deputy, fellow… …   New thesaurus

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