Working with an executive assistant isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Each leader has their own communication and management style — and so does each EA.
Being able to use your unique qualities to better work together as a team can be the catapult to your potential as a leader and your growth as an organization.
In this episode of One Next Step, Tricia Sciortino and I continued the conversation with our executive assistants, Kate and Melissa, around how to help you better lead your organization by learning to leverage your executive assistant in more effective ways.
Once they’ve proven they can do the job, you’ll trust them more, which begins a cycle of trust between you and the assistant. Start by passing off the things you don’t like or simply aren’t good at, such as scheduling.
Then over time, you should naturally begin passing along even more important things. Letting go will eventually become natural. But that can’t happen until you realize your need to let go in the first place.
Being able to trust your assistant is a crucial step in your relationship. When trust is established and you begin to let them do what they do best, this will empower your assistant.
You will hold them accountable for the job for which you hired them. But they should also be empowered to hold you accountable to the expectations you set for them and to be able to speak the truth when you need it.
Creating expectations and promises from the beginning creates a unique partnership that adds value to the work you are executing together — as well as the success of your business and personal life.
The best assistants can lead their leader, providing focus and clarity when things get overwhelming. Laying the groundwork in the beginning will help you succeed in the long run.
Knowing when and how each other works best will allow your assistant to be a few steps ahead of you and help you succeed in your tasks and goals regularly.
Make sure your assistant knows the best ways to reach you, whether that’s an instant message, text, email, or phone call. Also, help them understand when and where each method might be preferred.
For instance, a text message is great for something a little more urgent, like a lunch order, but an email might be better for communicating more information and an issue that might not need an immediate response.
Establishing these boundaries will help negate any miscommunication or missed messages in the future.