EA-Pros Week 45 - Helping Assistants Thrive

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

As you navigate through the complexities and challenges of your roles, remember that your contributions are the bedrock of organizational success. Your passion, dedication, and unwavering support pave the way for executive excellence and corporate achievements. This edition of EA-Pros is crafted to recognize your indispensable role, ignite your passion, and enhance your toolkit for unparalleled success.

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EA INSIGHTS

Key Insights and Trends EAs Should Know About

You should be aware of several key trends and insights that are shaping your role in the modern workplace. Below are a few trends we’ve noticed and think are worth your attention.

Evolution of Job Titles & Role: The role of EAs has evolved significantly, with many taking on titles that reflect their broader business impact beyond traditional support roles. Titles such as Chief of Staff, Executive Administration, and Business Administration are becoming more common, indicating a shift toward roles with greater organizational influence. With a growing need for strategic time management to prioritize commitments and align with strategic goals. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are fundamental, especially in a diverse and global workplace​​. Learn more here.

For Your Toolbelt: Leverage a variety of tools to enhance your efficiency and effectiveness. For example, here are a few tools to be aware of: Boomerang for email scheduling and follow-ups, Clockify for time tracking and project management, Motivosity for employee engagement, Grammarly for error-free communication, Hubstaff for employee monitoring, Visme for creating visually appealing presentations, and Todoist for task management​​. These are just mentions of tools to get you started. There are a tremendous amount of options out there that may be even better than some of the ones listed, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Increased Organizational Impact: EAs are moving from behind-the-scenes support roles to more central, integrated positions within their companies. This shift recognizes the vital role EAs play in driving business success through their unique insights and close collaboration with executive leaders. EAs are now expected to play a crucial part in managing worker capacity and boosting organizational performance, especially in the face of hiring challenges, employee burnout, and tight budgets. To illustrate strategic support capabilities, consider sharing case studies of your role in facilitating key business decisions or managing projects that contribute to organizational goals. Boosting organizational performance will require major upgrades for many assistants. Don't get left behind, start investing in your professional development now! The only ones who should fear the uprising of technological advancement are the assistants who don’t have a plan, or the ones who stand still refusing to evolve during this critical transition for the profession.

Recruitment and Staffing Agencies: When looking for executive assistant recruitment agencies, it's essential to choose those specializing in EAs, with a track record of successful placements and a focus on practical skills and experience over formal education. Agencies like Boldly, Catena, Belay, Persona, and Magic are noted for their specialization in EA placements, offering services that range from administrative support to project management and bookkeeping, with a focus on long-term success.

COACHING MOMENT

Executive Harmony: Best Practices

Mastering the dynamic of managing executives and their priorities requires finesse and strategic acumen. Here are a few ways you can boost your strategic acumen and excel:

1. Understand their Work Style: Tailor your support to match the executive's preferences—be it detailed reports or bullet-point briefs.

2. Become more proactive: Stay one step ahead by anticipating requests and preparing solutions in advance. You can accomplish this by mastering the art of learning your strategic partners’ work styles. Start by asking what their performance goals are. This will set the stage.

3. Effective Time Guardian: Learn the art of politely saying "no" to protect your executive's time, while offering alternatives to those seeking attention.

4. Feedback Loops: Establish a regular check-in routine to discuss priorities, adjust plans, and receive feedback on mutual expectations. Studies prove the closer the feedback loops, the higher performance increases.

5. Emotional Intelligence: Hone your ability to navigate office dynamics, maintaining harmony and productivity for the teams you serve.

These practices don't just manage workloads; they build trust and respect, turning you into an indispensable ally.

Ask an Executive Coach

Every week I take a question from you and provide a bit of strategic advice.

This week’s question is from Michelle: How do I market myself better for today's business?

Elevating Your Professional Brand