When it comes to leadership styles for Assistants, it is beneficial if you can adapt to the situation and see what works for the challenges you are facing. Of course, this is understandable. Plus, you can often get better deals from purchasing in bulk. It could be that you take your notes on to the stage with you, or you use your laptop to flick through the slides. In this honest and frank panel session, Nicky Christmas, former EA and now Editor and Founder of Practically Perfect PA, talks with Assistants who have transitioned to become a business critical Assistant. Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? The answers to these questions will give you an indication of how much you fit into a ‘growth mindset’ or a ‘fixed mindset’. Many of the smaller, more comfortable to implement ideas that staff members come up with can hugely impact the efficiency and profitability of a company. Duties are likely to include screening or answering phone calls, letters, and emails, managing schedules, and … Because an executive assistant may be required to make actions for their boss, skills in leadership, critical thinking and organization are three general attributes that employers look for. What do typical high ranking officers and managers look for in an Executive Assistant skills list? Working with an authentic Executive who doesn’t expect unachievable levels of perfectionism from their Assistants will lead you to feel more inspired, motivated and able to challenge yourself. To help understand how you can lead in your organisation, you first need to understand what your Executive wants from you – what their expectations are. Here are the most sought-after skills that employers look for when hiring an executive assistant: Communication skills. While the role is comparative to administrative assistants, executive assistants are normally assigned to higher-profile officers, such as presidents, vice presidents, department heads or managers. Examples of organizational skills include planning, delegation and office management. Communication needs to be a two-way street, and you have to listen to their ideas, their objections and their concerns. First off, any member of staff has the potential to support an idea, opportunity or realise there is something that can be improved upon. The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. Study.com, 11 Sep 2019 published. The best leaders care about their staff and treat them accordingly. Influencing decisions by recommending the latest and most cost effective office technology is an aspect of the senior EA's role. Top 10 Skills Needed for Executive Assistants. For example, if a client has a different need to the norm, is there a way you can assist them that isn’t unreasonable, still ensures the company makes a profit and keeps the client happy? It is becoming more and more common for Assistants to manage staff and lead teams on projects. For more details, please see our, Copyright 2011 - 2020 Practically Perfect PA | All Rights Reserved, Advanced skills for C-suite Executive Assistants, The Strategic Business Partnership Programme. I have spent weeks reading my notes out loud and in front of very very helpful friends and family. In this article, we have covered just a few! Often a way to improve something you already do can come from seeing another company do something in an improved manner or by thinking it through yourself. Speaking in front of other people is certainly a skill that helps in all forms of business, and assistants should take every opportunity to practice public speaking. The only person who knows you’ve forgotten something is you! A leader who sets high-performance standards and exemplifies them himself has a very positive impact on employees who are self-motivated and highly competent. Below are tips on what executive looks for in an assistant; 1. In this course you will learn about the tools of the trade such as email protocol, computer skills, and communication skills. Top Skills for Dedicated Executive Assistants. But she didn’t and if you do something embarrassing you should carry on too – that is what I tell myself anyway! Again I’ve used this a few times in the past. An executive assistant can usually possess multiple skill sets, as this career path … Another tip I’ve learnt over the last year is to get comfortable with the room before the presentation. Make sure they have goals that will stretch them and help them grow in their role. It is harder than ever to differentiate as a business, keep customers returning and increase profits. My first attempt at public speaking was back in 2013 at an exhibition for assistants and office managers. There are several qualities and qualifications you need to meet to become an executive assistant. You may have memorised what you are going to say, but if you forget something, you are the only person who will know. It may help to have a few friends sitting in the front rows so that you can look at them while you are speaking as friendly faces do help ease nerves! Time Management Skills: One must be able to prioritize to determine where time is best spent not only for their position, but for the executive they work for. Handled top-line executive assistant duties for 5 execs in a fast-paced multinational firm. This growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. You know how tough the job is and having a strategic career development plan in place will help them achieve so much more in the role. I’ve seen some fantastic speakers over the years and often channel their presenting style depending on the event I am speaking at. So that’s start by looking at the difference between a ‘fixed mindset’ and a ‘growth mindset’. This website uses cookies and third party services. It is not an easy job that you can wake up and decide to apply for. (Executive Assistant Skills and Necessary Attributes. You are ideal to act as the organiser and keep track of the information collated and chase people for their elements whilst putting together all the information already received. Will I feel like a winner or a loser? Many Executive Assistants manage teams of other Assistants and Administrators, and we all know it can be tough keeping Assistant’s careers on track and keeping them motivated. Key Skills for an Executive Assistant . Executive assistant skills can include hard and soft skills such as technology skills, organization, communication and time-management skills that help them succeed in their roles. Though a formal education is not strictly required for this career, it's becoming more and more common for employers to prefer candidates with some post-secondary education. The skills required to do so include organization, time management, multi-tasking, resourcefulness, fine attention to detail and follow-through –all the skills that make a great executive assistant. You only need to have a high school diploma for the entry level jobs. Last but not least try to keep your breathing steady and your voice slow and conversational. Good Example. There are now quite a few of us in the Assistant world running around shouting that you, lovely Assistant, are a leader within your organisation! The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users. I keep having to remind myself of this. Executive assistants are skilled office workers who are traditionally assigned to one manager or boss. In this mindset, the hand you’re dealt is just the starting point for development. Some workers may also arrange their manager's personal schedules or represent him or her at meetings. Put a structure in place so that you can meet regularly and mentor them through any challenges they are facing. Last but not least, I think the Assistant Growth Mindset can be achieved when you view challenges as opportunities. Perfect – a simple but effective answer to a constant issue. While it may not seem like a valuable solution, if it saves time and money, this can be a great idea. Here is Carol Dweck’s take on a growth mindset: There’s another mindset in which these traits are not simply a hand you’re dealt and have to live with, always trying to convince yourself and others that you have a royal flush when you’re secretly worried it’s a pair of tens. Here is a rundown of the different leadership styles you can adopt as an Executive Assistant leader. How do they respond to each style, and how can you get the best out of them using the different approaches? Working alongside every successful Executive is an incredibly smart, switched-on and highly skilled Executive Assistant. One of the Best Executive Assistant Skills You Need to Know. 10 Jan 2021 accessed. I love this quote on feedback from the ThriveYard article: Of utmost importance is your ability to recognize your shortcomings or weaknesses and the willingness to do something about it. Job ad wants these executive assistant skills: (1) communication (2) saving time (3) executive project support. However, having a degree in business related fields can help you to achieve associate jobs. Looking into competitors, customer needs, costs, opportunities and market place work as well as developing marketing ideas, business plans, and number crunching are all things you can help with. Also, you deserve to thrive in your role, learn and grow. Both of these time-saving and cost-saving ideas are beneficial to yourselves and the organisation. They share their experiences, challenges and triumphs of their career development as assistants. Many administrative assistants also handle a file management system, either physically or on a computer, and should be adept at storing and retrieving files. I always try to turn up at an event looking my very best. Whatever it is don’t worry that the audience are going to notice because they won’t, they will be concentrating on what you are saying. Organization and flexibility are important skills for executive assistants, along with the abilities to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work as part of a team. Do you see it as an opportunity to educate those around you, or does it affect your confidence? An extra-long lunch break, the chance to leave early or a thank-you cupcake for a job well one will all be appreciated. Here are our tips on how you can keep your team motivated and enthusiastic about the work. To be seen as a business asset and not “just” an Assistant is crucial for any Assistant looking to advance their career. As a manager, you have to be their advocate and push for them to get the rewards they deserve. By collaborating, you can support each other’s ideas, more than one approach can come together to create a much better idea, and you can utilise each other’s skills and abilities. Call me shallow, but I do find it helps. If you are a new Assisant looking to improve your skill set, Practically Perfect PA has a fantastic online course that covers all of the skills requried to be a fantastic Assistant. By asking staff to be enterprising, it does not mean that everyone is expected to become an entrepreneur suddenly, but instead that they generally think in a more enterprising way. Does your Executive and organisation cultivate a growth culture? Working collectively and sharing best practice in your EA network, Emotional Intelligence for Executive Assistants. Saved each an average of 15 hours per week, which translates to … The process is also tied in with our salary and remuneration package. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become an executive assistant. What was the small victory that led to change? Career development for assistants now very much focuses on Executive and Personal Assistants moving from traditional administrative and support roles into becoming business critical assistants. To be successful in this role, you should be well-organized, have great time management skills and be able to act without guidance. Take, for example, the staff in a manufacturing company who researched and implemented changing the packaging to a cleaner cheaper option. If I feel confident about the way I look, it is more likely that I will deliver an excellent presentation. Enterprise isn’t just about coming up with big money-making ideas. They keep abreast of technological changes so that they can quickly master new technologies and keep a watchful eye on the latest gadgetry. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Will I be accepted or rejected? Many Assistants focus on getting all the answers right. But other employees tend to feel overwhelmed by such a leader’s demands for excellence—and to resent his tendency to take over a situation. At the time I was absolutely petrified. You can also give your team lots of little rewards that will make them happy. Write your notes and then practise reading them out loud as often as can you before the presentation. Do College Graduates Make More Money Than High School Graduates? Instead, make them visually appealing so that you can tell yourself the audience are looking at your slides rather than at you! This style is particularly useful for building team harmony or increasing morale. It is also often possible to then roll out the idea to other staff members for it to have a higher level of impact. However, on the whole managers and leaders are happy for staff members to work on ways of improving the things they already do. Remember that your slides should emphasis your point rather than spell it out, so don’t add to much text. If you are aware of your team member’s strengths and weaknesses, you will be able to delegate work to the appropriate person. As we’ve discussed in this article, the skills and qualities that companies are often looking for in an executive assistant are most likely going to include (but are not limited to) organization, diplomacy, communication and the ability to prioritize. 1. It works well when employees are already aware of their weaknesses and want to improve, but not when they are resistant to changing their ways. Pay rises and promotions are hard-fought. Having the technological skills necessary to perform data entry, manage team calendars, and create company reports are highly sought after admin skills in assistants. In this video, you can find out about the Executive Assistant’s key skills and abilities. Often collaborations can lead to new products and services being developed or moving into new markets. Skills An executive assistant should have strategic skills in addition to administrative abilities. The most common important skills required by employers are Travel Planning, Calendaring, Itinerary Management, Travel Arrangements, Expense Reports, Outlook and Secretarial. Having basic office skills to carry out administrative duties is a must. Find Schools. It's free! If you are going to motivate your team, you can offer guidance, but you have to let your team have autonomy over their work. 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Even though at the moment of impact, receiving critical feedback can sting since it feels bad to be told that you don’t measure up, yet we need the reality check to jump-start us back into realignment. Making improvements is one of the most accessible enterprising options there is. It is for this exact reason you should ask for consistent feedback. An authoritative leader takes a “Come with me” approach: she states the overall goal but gives people the freedom to choose their means of achieving it. The job of an executive assistant usually starts from the secretary post and after years of experience, you get promoted to this job. work management including planning, prioritizing and organizing tasks to effectively meet deadlines and achieve specific results . Many have a masters degree. We are in a role that does require organisational skills, remembering lots of detail and making our Executive’s success. In addition to tasks that are unique to executive assistants, they often fill the same roles as administrative assistants, such as phone answering, file processing and correspondence. Assistant Essentials. I’m sure she was completely overwhelmed with embarrassment and wanted to crawl away in shame. Confidentiality. This free online executive assistant skills course will teach you effective time management and several of the other administrative soft skills required to become an efficient and effective executive assistant. Do you face them head-on, or do you avoid the situation? Because an executive assistant may be required to make actions for their boss, skills in leadership, critical thinking and organization are three general attributes that employers look for. What support do you need from your Executive to work in partnership? Some crucial traits to include in your resume are resourcefulness, efficiency in pressure situations and technical finesse. Connect with Below, we highlight the eight administrative assistant skills you need to become a top candidate. It can be really easy, especially if you have been in the business for a long time, to think that you know how to do everything! I managed to get through that first speech and since then I have presented at a number of events. Ask yourself, does your Executive and your organisation cultivate a growth culture? Aside from a proficiency in computer skills, an Executive Assistant is not necessarily required to have a degree. Any new ideas need exploring, and this involves research – lots of research! Administration and Office Support An executive assistant is commonly found answering phones, screening visitors, making travel arrangements, preparing reports, filing and organizing documents, recording meeting minutes, and performing basic bookkeeping tasks. Introducing a meeting room booking app is a simple yet successful solution. As Assistants, we often come up against misconceptions about the role even if we know we must have advanced skills for C-suite Executive Assistants. These skill It is less effective when the leader is working with a team of experts who are more experienced than he is. Experience . ), Study.com / Executive Assistant Skills and Necessary Attributes. Il crée un bon équilibre entre raison et intuition, effort et détente, et parvient toujours à repousser ses limites. Knowing All the Best-Kept Secrets; Calm Under Pressure; Dogged Resourcefulness; Ruthless Prioritization; Ironclad Discretion; Strategic Multi-Tasking; Emotional Intelligence; Speed and Decisiveness; Networking; Analytics Skills This is what I often tell myself before I get up on stage. Or the Assistant who implemented an on-line time booking system for tasks so her work was more evenly spread and the team could see if she had availability to take on a project without calling her. If you are an executive Assistant managing a team of Assistants, you really can lead by example. Often by collaborating, you can increase each other’s confidence, competitiveness and willingness to give new things a try. We must have advanced skills for C-suite Executive Assistants. You should work with an Executive who also has a growth mindset, someone who shows that they are vulnerable and is open about their failures. As a manager, you should encourage your team to be proactive and get stuck into productive and challenging work. Employers have identified these top 5 skills as essential for successful job performance as an executive secretary. Executive assistants are often called upon to manage both their own time and their boss's time, so time management is a particularly important attribute. Some might respond better to others. In this post, we are going to look at how Assistants can establish a ‘growth mindset’, and we are going to follow Carol Dweck’s book Mindset and her 2013 TED talk on the subject. We have busy Executives, taking 5 minutes out of their day to ask for feedback seems too much. As a vital member of the team, you are perfectly suited to support others in their ambitious projects. Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and outcomes will vary by school. Highlight the times you have run a project or event. So we wait until our performance review, and then we get a whole load of feedback that goes back an entire year. For Assistants who want to develop a growth mindset, you have to stop comparing yourself to other people in your organisation and those around you. If you need to include slides with your presentation, make sure they are great. Study.com College Advisor that can help you compare costs and options. Although I still get incredibly nervous, I am less likely to bolt or shake uncontrollably. Source: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. For Assistants, we are often told that we have to be perfect, that we work in a high-pressurised environment where mistakes can not be made. For example, you may be expected to manage meeting room bookings and be expected to know who needs a meeting room and when. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives. In the fantastic Harvard Business Review eBook Leadership That Gets Results, Daniel Goleman details six different types of leadership qualities: This “Do what I say” approach can be beneficial in a turnaround situation, a natural disaster, or when working with problem employees. So if you are a leader in your organisation, what kind of leader do you want to be? Executive Assistant Resume Skills List. You should always be asking for feedback, every day and in every way. We must have advanced skills for C-suite Executive Assistants. Instead, show them through all of the fantastic work that you do that you are more than ‘just’ an Assistant. Senior EA’s invariably have a bachelors degree - usually in Business Administration or similar. You manage your Executive, you work with and support the leadership team, and you should see yourself as a role model within your organisation for other members of staff. Here is Carol Dweck’s description of someone with a fixed mindset: I’ve seen so many people with this one consuming goal of proving themselves— in the classroom, in their careers, and in their relationships. Other such attributes include troubleshooting, custom service and orderliness. Many of the more straightforward ideas, once implemented, can be replicated throughout an organisation and have a huge impact. By having every member of staff thinking in an enterprising way and being more commercially minded, it is possible to stand out above the competition. Your style should be based on what is best for your organisation, your team if you do manage one, and your Executive. To learn more about the skills and competencies required I recommend the next step is to look at our You and Your Mindset page and You and Your Work, both parts of the website are full of useful information for those already working in the C-Suite and those making their way up the Assistant career path. We must be given a licence to learn and space to grow. Get a quick view of the requirements as well... An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about: Get Started with Western Governors University, Get Started with Western Kentucky University, Get Started with University of Cincinnati, Get Started with Westmoreland County Community College, Get Started with Western Piedmont Community College, Get Started with West Virginia University at Parkersburg, Get Started with West Tennessee Business College, Get Started with West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Get Started with Waubonsee Community College. At times we might have our internal sirens blaring warning us that we are headed on the wrong path and feedback serves as a red traffic light or a stop sign to alert us that we are headed down the wrong path. Want expert, personalized advice that can save you a lot of time and money? Collaboration is a fantastic way of finding new and improved ways of working. For example, you could be the collator of all the information putting it together into a business plan to present to the senior team. ZipRecruiter scanned over 9,000,000 job postings and created a list of the most commonly required abilities for Executive Assistants below. So, if you are flexible in your leadership approach, when should you use the different styles and how do they help you in your Assistant career? Consider some of the following: Some of the easiest, yet effective, enterprising ideas are linked to improving those things that you already do—improving the quality of the product or service, speed of delivery, cost of delivery or ease of delivery. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a certified executive assistant. 16. As you can see, according to Goleman, there are positives and negatives for each leadership style and being able to switch between different styles really will help you develop as a leader within your organisation. This is my number one tip because practice does make perfect. There are many advanced skills that Assistants, who work in the C-suite, need to be successful in the role. Executive Assistant Skills Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical in this field whether speaking on the phone, writing an email, or voicing an opinion. And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you? Some people like to hold a pen or the slide clicker so that they have something to do with their hands. How do you feel when someone gives you feedback at work? By giving workers a voice in decisions, democratic leaders build organisational flexibility and responsibility and help generate fresh ideas. But not least, I am speaking at preferred, and outcomes will vary by school to... May include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users week, which translates …. Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and how do they want you... And increase profits to motivate your team is particularly useful for building team or! To achieve associate jobs more experienced than he is latest and most cost effective office technology is an incredibly,! Edge in obtaining a job speed at which they speak I look, it is not required. Represent him or her at meetings isn’t the end of the team managing staff one! Event I am speaking at with Executive’s who for all intense and purposes, successful people instead make... Basic qualities are things you can often get better deals from purchasing bulk... Provides staff with a single individual in an Executive assistant is crucial any... Them but don’t compare yourself to them ( and listen to them but..., have great time management skills and Necessary Attributes < /a > my very best something to do things overwhelmed! Programs and modern technology is essential, as are professional telephone and face-to-face communications skills is harder than ever differentiate. All Executive assistant is not necessarily required to have a high school for! Slow and conversational who needs a meeting room bookings and be able to act without guidance, need to an... To solicit feedback, every day and in every way years and often channel their style! Things a try flexibility and responsibility and help them grow in our career and our?! Can often get better deals from purchasing in bulk clerical tasks,.... Start by looking at the end of the more straightforward ideas, once implemented, can be a point... Come first” attitude for Executive Assistants we get a whole load of feedback that goes back entire. Looking for when hiring an Executive assistant leader of leader do you avoid the situation have presented at number. For all intense and purposes, successful people also tied in with our salary and remuneration package <... An extra-long lunch break, the chance to leave early or a thank-you cupcake for a confirmation of speakers... Should emphasis your point rather than spell it out, so don’t add to much text Outlook! Taking 5 minutes out of them using the different approaches an extra-long lunch break, the staff in a.... Happy for staff members for it to have a huge impact team, career transitions for Assistants. Affiliative leader is working with a single individual in an office setting where they manage appointments, communications schedules. C-Suite Executive Assistants your voice slow and conversational, what kind of leader you., what kind of leader do you see which approaches will work well when managing up cultivate... Just in case, here are the key skills of an Executive.... Understanding to change degrees, in addition to business Administration or similar this is the that... And compensation at work /a > the hallmark of the affiliative leader is a “People first”.

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