A study was conducted to explore the language or discourse of the administrative assistant in an effort to gain insight into the development of the superior/subordinate relationship. The study also explored differences in gender-based behavioral expectations identified through a content analysis of administrative assistants' messages. The Secretary as Manager Questionnaire was completed by 941 women attending a management development seminar. Respondents were asked to describe what they liked most and liked least about their bosses. Eighty-six responses from those with male bosses were randomly selected for comparison with those of the 86 subjects with female bosses. Two messages from the 172 selected responses were analyzed to identify factors that produce like and dislike in the superior/subordinate relationship. The initial analysis suggested that the simultaneous emergence of women in upper-management and the increased demands for administrative assistants, who are primarily women, has brought about significant changes in organizational behaviors. The most noticeable of these appear to be in the behaviors of male bosses who are developing what, in the past, have been considered positive feminine traits. In addition the study provides early indications that not only do women work well together, but also that bonding and supportive female superior-subordinate relationships are rapidly emerging in the organizational environment. (HTH)