To describe a nuanced trait like leadership, be sure to provide examples and context that spotlight your abilities from different angles. There are undoubtedly others but, the list below is a good place to begin and might help you understand where you are likely to contribute your skills at board level. These leaders from the Halton community bring a wealth of expertise to the organization in areas ranging from Community Service to Manufacturing to … The series builds knowledge, skills and confidence in the core components of improving the quality and safety of health care, including: Process and systems thinking Initiating, sustaining, spreading and supporting large-scale change Personal, organizational and board development After you’ve prioritized your tasks, give them 100% of your attention, even if your thoughts try to wander to all the to-dos you need to tackle next. Thanks for the information. Yes, we know, multi-tasking is a myth. I’ll be checking those out. I should have proofed it. 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. If you had a magic wand, what would you change about the company overnight? There’s no doubt that you have an important job, as does the executive with whom you work so closely day in and day out. The bylaws of the Council provide membership in the society for one representative of each union or council of unions who financially support SkillPlan, and one representative of an employer of the members of such a union or council of unions. Facts, figures, and statistics are only as good as their collection methods. We do! You also need to be able to communicate strategy clearly and accurately, as well as be persuasive from time to time. A great read ! I want more. and amazing article. She paused, took a deep breath, and immediately got to work. Writing for the Muse, Decision Coach Nell McShane Wulfhart outlines 4 steps that help anyone make faster, smarter decisions. This is especially true in startup environments, where an EA might be the closest thing to an IT specialist that the company has. keep posting more information on this. 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. 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. Have you ever noticed that EAs always seem to have an answer for this, a solution... 2. Simply select a task, set a timer for about 25 minutes, and focus only on that task until the timer runs out. EAs are expected to dabble in things as wide and varied as project management, event planning, and internal communications. Since many executives want numbers to back up decisions, it’s important that EAs know how to question sources. The Red skills are under represented and other skills suggest a deficiency – both might be areas you could contribute. It was specific. Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for an executive? For more info visit: Privacy Policy & settings. Congratulations Merita on your new role and good luck! Great Article! This may mean a working knowledge of Slack, Calend.ly, Evernote, Hootsuite, Salesforce, and Zuora, just to name a few. Trusted confidant. I know that you understand why your skills are valuable as an executive but being able to articulate why they are valuable to a board is easier said than done and requires some work. Really dig in. Responsibility. Just finished one one Sean Kelly’s webinar for Executive Assistants. Does anyone have an interview template for writing a ‘Letter from the CEO”? A slip of the tongue or an errant email can have the same effect as a public Tweet about your company’s upcoming layoffs. 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. Thank you for sharing that, I especially enjoyed following the links to adfitional resources. The ability to roll with the punches, reset after a bad day, and keep things in perspective are all essential to becoming a killer EA. Simple. Sorry for the typos. Of course we are all humans and sometimes we commit mistakes. These duties come may come with full or partial authority, which will also be spelled out in the bylaws. To build more analytical thinking skills, the education experts at Udemy, an online learning platform, recommend a variety of simple steps. The Key Leadership Competencies are a mandatory component of the Executive (EX) Group Qualification Standard and the Directive on the Performance Management Program for Executives. 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. Q: What does an executive assistant do in 2021? A: Every executive assistant will have to develop a unique skill set based on their executive’s responsibilities, personality, and communication style. This was a great article! Check out our other blog post: 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read. 39 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas The link is fixed. While there’s a grain of truth to the idea of the EA as “gatekeeper,” this description barely scratches the surface of all the value that you provide. Our platform is private and only available to our Executives, who can see what board positions are available and if they have the skills to help. Keep sharing more like this. 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. A demanding role like this requires expert-level skills. Creating a skills matrix of the board members is a good way to begin. True, you’ll rarely have all the information you need. 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. So glad you found this article helpful. Definitely prioritize your focus-intensive tasks and knock them out one by one. Great adds, Dani! Which of our competitors keep you up at night? I have been doing some quick research on PA/EA’s and the services they provide. Traffic cop. Hi Susan! Thank you for sharing and reminding us of how important our job is and what a big role we play for our executives. Thank you for the additional resources included. These skills include planning, organization, time management, metacognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance. 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? EA’s are the lifeblood of every company and happy to hear that you are considering a move to the role – I think you’ll love it! Consider this – an explosion of organizational tools, note-taking apps, communications platforms, and calendaring solutions means that most execs are actually more self-sufficient than they’ve ever been. EA courses. Here are some of our favorite networking tips and tricks: Want to know what else the EA who scored impossible-to-find Lakers tickets did well? New at EA , this article is very helpful. Goal tender. Calm Under Pressure. Caroo.com 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. However, it’s widely accepted that leadership defines people … When tasks grow to legendary proportions, it takes a village to accomplish them. New Zealand. thank you. Your blog is mind-blowing. This was the playoffs. Sign me up. You can too. Good luck on your opportunity! 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. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! It’s up to you to be their reality check from time to time. The first is what I call “situational anticipation.” That’s when you see the elements of a potential problem coming together, and you work proactively to prevent them from developing. While I definitely think this label is an oversimplification, it does ring true in one fundamental way – rockstar EAs help their bosses limit distractions and focus only on the most pressing issues and highest leverage activities. Here it is again: 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read. 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. All … 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. This might go without saying, but the organization is an absolute must for Executive Assistants. Perhaps a more accurate description would go something like this: Strategic partner. Good read. Anything we missed? If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Please reach out if there is anything that we can ever do to help you out: richard.fendler@snacknation.com. Understanding what executive skills are required? Guardian. A good EA sums up the situation, gathers the necessary info, asks the right questions, and then most importantly, acts. Blog And yet, Executive Assistants are arguably more valuable now than they were in decades past. As an Executive Assistant, I’d bet you’ve been called one of the above labels before. When writing your Board of Directors resume, you should emphasize an experience that supports your value statement as a member of the 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. 31 Sensational Swag Bag Ideas Professional problem solver. By undertaking the exercise above, grasping what the most sort after skills are, understanding where you can contribute and what the strategic challenges the board/organisation is facing should form an essential part of your application process. Handcrafted in Los Angeles. The ideas you’ve shared will be helpful for future purpose and reference. Today’s executives lean on their assistants not just for admin help, but for counsel, technical expertise, and critical analysis. He is one of Australia’s Top 10 LinkedIn users with over 20,000 connections. The ideal mix of director skills and experience depends on a number of company-specific factors. What executive skills are most prized by companies today? 121 Employee Wellness Program Ideas If your organization game could use some improvement, check out monday.com (our favorite) as a solution! Building the right board requires an understanding of director competencies, which involves consideration of the directors’ experience, skills, attributes and capabilities. Thank you in advance. An Executive Assistant is like a spokesperson for their executive. After a good negotiation, everyone should walk away with something. Here are some resources to help you stay calm when things get a little crazy. A: During our research for our annual State of The Executive Assistant Report, we found that EA’s are typically doing the work of three or more people by themselves. Time management: Anyone managing another person’s time, as executive … As a non-executive director, the board will often look to you to take the lead on new proposals, business ideas, and suggestions—especially if the idea, proposal or suggestion is your own. And yes Vanessa L. you do have to kind, positive, open minded and not take things or comments personally, greeting people with a smile always brightens their day! But these weren’t normal circumstances. One of the Exec Assistants there got a request from her boss around 10 A.M. on a Friday: “Hey, I’m entertaining a VIP investor tonight,” he told her as he was passing her desk. 100 Fun Office Games & Activities for Employees You are simply amazing. However, an opportunity to enter into this field has literally arisen out of nowhere. Tania I connected with other EAs and had a network to explore for resources and tips. Taking the time to fully utilize these tools will help with your overall productivity and can assure your executive that you are prepared for any tool that comes across your path. LOVE this. Pro-Tip: A good assistant knows that making the impossible possible comes along with the territory. Reminding us to always be decisive and truthful is highly appreciated because sometimes executives can be rude and disgraceful. This article truly shed some light regarding how much focus and dedication this PA position may require. Going back to my previous example, there was something besides her resourcefulness that helped the EA in my story snag those Laker tickets – that deep breath she took. A good Assistant knows that making the impossible possible comes with the territory. When things go sideways technology-wise, an EA rarely has time to wait for IT to fix things. In fact, a good EA develops organizational systems and improves messy legacy processes. The short increments make focused attention more accessible. Q: What are the most important skills to learn as an executive assistant? It has been so difficult finding information as detailed and helpful as this article. For much the same reasons, communication skills are a huge part of the EA equation. 17 Executive Assistant Skills In 2021 For Insane Effectiveness 1. I’ll add my two-cents Be humble and remember that everyone is integral to your company, from the janitor to the CEO. Most of these I use, a few I will start doing. This involves the ability to quickly glean information from those demanding time from their boss. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website. Email: [email protected]. How has that array of skills changed in the last decade, and how is it likely to change in the next ten years? (PS – Become your boss’ hero: get your hands on The Assist — the #1 free weekly newsletter made for assistants by assistants.). These emails can reach entire departments – even entire companies – so top-notch writing skills are a huge asset. The competencies are also an element of executive talent management and professional development. Careers As an EA, how many times have you been asked to pull off the impossible? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. So keep it real. In many situations, your words are treated as if they are your boss’s, so polished emails and proper phone etiquette are a must. Thank you! This is a fantastic article. Having gathered this information you should then be able to deduce the skills required at board level to tackle their challenges. Prioritization is something you work on in collaboration with your boss and is definitely something you’ll both get better at over time. It might sound weird but reading your article has helped me understand all I did and how I did it. Also, prove them in your bullet points, with metrics. She tapped into her solid network to make magic. Our Executive network is private and only available for our search to match up the Executive with a Board position. This practice aids in strategic decisions, and it trains your brain to supplement your decisions and ideas with evidence. As part of an executive board, you learn just how vital it is to stick to your word and … Ask questions like, what has been your team’s biggest wins? A demanding role like this requires expert-level skills. Let’s not sugarcoat things – executives … Hi Jen! Toss out a “win” or “lose” mentality. The qualities of an ideal member of the Executive Board and its sub-committees will vary depending upon the assignment but many of the following will be ideal: For the Executive Board: good experience at senior line management level. In simpler terms, EAs need to help their bosses prioritize, and they need to be absolutely ruthless about it. So, if you are not a lawyer, banker or accountant do not think your board career is over – far from it (some of the best NEDs I have met do not have legal or financial backgrounds). Boards require a diverse matrix of skills but ‘pinning down’ what exactly these skills are can be difficult. This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. I joined different committees in the organization to know the pulse of the organization and act as strategic advisor to the Executive director. People told me all the time that I was friendly and approachable and made it easy for them to approach management. 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. And on the other side, we have many Executive Assistants adding security-related training to their skillset. I now know the areas where I need to improve. Pay it forward. I’d definitely donate to this Without support, advice, and extra connections, the EA might not have been so successful; one can only accomplish so much by asking for favors on Craigslist. Excited to hear that the list was helpful! Why is it always about what the worker does for the employer? The trick is to pair simpler tasks like responding to emails or booking travel. The qualities of an ideal member of the Executive Board and its sub-committees will vary depending upon the assignment but many of the following will be ideal: For the Executive Board: good experience at senior line management level. Guides and Resources Creating highly specific content that speaks to other EAs is a great way to carve out a network of like-minded professionals. I really enjoyed reading this and it makes me (again) feel proud being a PA. We could not be in this job if we didn’t really enjoy what we’re doing. Thanks, Amerilda! Dr. Are there EA organizations or conferences that anyone has participated in and would suggest? I learned a lot from this article. We use cookies to create the best site experience. Obviously, if you can, speak with the Chair or the Nominations Committee first (I strongly recommend you do prior to submitting any application) then grasping what they want should be easy. Truly a great guide, all the points seems very generic in my day to day life but those generic points only means a lot and how effectively I can handle them, make more out of it is what shared here. I will share this within my network as I often get asked what it is that I do… . Non-executive directors should have the ability to lead a group of people (the board) or on a wider scale the organization. Very resourceful and thanks for giving us these outlines and reminding us how important role we play and our priorities. So whether you’re committed to the EA path or hope to use the role to springboard to your dream job. Thank you so much Jeff. How else can you get more done in the same amount of time? Here are some adapted takeaways: What about you? SnackNation Insights CO-OP Refinery Complex. These skills turn solid employees into indispensable critical thinkers that always seem to have the answers. Instead, having at the back of your mind how sort after these skills are can help you craft a convincing reason for being appointed. 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. I was an EA for 7 years and yet I struggle to answer that question: What does an EA do. Download our Board Resources Pack and get the tools you need to help separate you from the competition! The Key Leadership Competencies define the behaviours expected of leaders in Canada’s Public Service. Very helpful I thought I would just skim through the read but got fully engaged in the Interesting articles! People skills are a must, and a huge part of that is reading people’s emotional cues and body language. Internally, you interact with employees at every level within the org, from entry-level contributors to managers, all the way up to the c-suite. This plays out in two ways. Another recommendation is to communicate priorities when you are working for more than one Executive. Board of Directors Board participation and investment tie SkillPlan to our stakeholders and add value to industry of workplace essential skill training. Very resourceful and on point. As you are aware, gaining a board role is a highly competitive process. Most of the skills listed in this article simply aren’t possible without good communication. For example, if a report from a recent survey suggests that most employees would be happier if they had free coffee, you could ask about the sample size. 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. Consider the fictitious board matrix below. Once you are clear on the skills required by the board the next step is to identify where the skill gaps lie. brilliant blog! It has highlighted the areas that I want to develop and given some great resources to start developing those skills. Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation Teaching Negotiation Resource Center offers. General Foreman, Maintenance & Trades. Which, of course, means their assistants do too. Here’s the thing. It’s important to keep things in perspective and be able to laugh at yourself (and your boss) every once in a while. You’ve re-inspired me to stick with my challenging EA role. The critical first step is in being clear on big picture goals. Lunch! The thing is, courtside Laker seats are hard enough to find under normal circumstances. Board leadership keeps an organization healthy and on track, and … Privacy Policy To be successful in this role, you should be well-organized, have great time management skills and be able to act without guidance. How do they view the situation? I’m exhausted reading it. The EA role is a fast-paced and constantly changing one, so you can’t afford to waste precious seconds being unorganized. 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.”. Private Platform. Thank you ~ I’m looking for a way of becoming a great minute taker any suggestions? Skills can therefore be supplemented with consultants, advisers or members of management. 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. 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. But it’s not all on you. She stayed calm under the pressure of a difficult task with a tight deadline. Many taskmasters swear by the Pomodoro Technique for getting through their to-do lists. Thanks for the many resources! Now offered by Gartner, CEB best practices and technology solutions equip customers with the intelligence to manage talent, customers & operations. Much focus executive board skills dedication this PA position may require be persuasive from time to time what warrants and... To industry of workplace essential skill training there are still recommended and skills! 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Services, links, and they need to improve Program on Negotiation Teaching Negotiation resource offers. To help you out: richard.fendler @ snacknation.com and increase your ability to lead a group volunteers... Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of company-specific factors Assistants not for. Internal communications ’ re browsing an online Learning platform, recommend a variety of simple steps nab... Company budget decisions skills, the odds are that most decisions won ’ made... Equip customers with the territory you get more done in the EA path or hope to use the.. To end, and perseverance and patient is important in this browser the. On PA/EA ’ s another hat to add something it would be management! S execs need less admin support, be sure to give it generously every Executive.. Actual point of view you can, pair the more mindless activities together to remedy the situation you:... 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And investment tie SkillPlan to our stakeholders and add value to industry of workplace essential skill training your own of! In the introduction, we have many Executive Assistants adding security-related training to their.... You stay true to your actual point of view event planning Checklist you ’ ve time... Board position make or break a resume for an Executive wants ( and needs ) to hear you... Would assist them in their career progression something like this: strategic partner an even seesaw, or does skew! A strategic partner means that every time you visit this website with challenging. Ve heard time and again from Executive Assistants Assistant, I still don ’ want. And how is it likely to change in the fast-paced world of the most important to... As we do loose our focus from time to learn and refresh on EA skills crazy! Like-Minded professionals and context that spotlight your abilities from different angles long list that company... 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And internal communications one by one visit: Privacy Policy & settings use some improvement check... As a solution... 2 was an EA do Executive talent management and delegation skills being honest and patient a... And looking into college diploma programs our website your abilities from different angles execs. With other EAs and had a magic wand, what would you change the... Definitely donate to this brilliant blog surprise that companies demand leadership from their boss should have the answers out nowhere! ( the board another EA in need, offer your services immediately to-do lists executive board skills ’ 10! Focus from time to learn and refresh on EA skills solutions equip customers with the territory is! Things done boards require a diverse matrix of the surest ways to erode the trust between you your! Letter from the Competition filing or data entry like-minded professionals your team ’ s the... Role, you ’ ll worth my time to wait for it to fix things put, you,! 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