As a PA, your job requires you to keep track of your own time while helping your executive be more effective. Itโs a juggling act that all assistants have to learn to control during their career. Here are six handy hints to help you manage your boss.
1 Provide solutions, not problems
Your boss has enough problems of his or her own, so the worst thing you could do is create more. Instead, find solutions for the problems you do encounter before bringing it to your executiveโs attention so itโs no hassle for them.
2 Stay calm
Even when the world is falling apart around you, itโs up to you to be the calming force in your bossโs life. Sometimes a level-headed response is exactly what he or she needs to put things into perspective.
3 Take responsibility for your actions
When things do go wrong or you make a mistake, show your boss that youโre accountable for your actions by taking full responsibility. Donโt be quick to blame others or make excuses and demonstrate that youโve learned from the experience. Going back to tip number one, seek a solution to fix the problem without being prompted to do so.
4 Set boundaries
Youโre only human, and we all have a breaking point. Recognise yours and take steps to avoid reaching it by setting clear boundaries with your executive. If youโre not willing to take calls or answer emails late at night, donโt do it and tell your boss that you wonโt โ and stick to your guns at all times.
5 Provide full support
The role of the PA is designed to make a managerโs job easier, but sometimes your executive needs a bit of help saving face. Never sell your boss short by showing them up. Find out how you can support them when theyโre doing badly; theyโll remember that you stood by them and youโll make yourself look good in the process.
6 Stay positive
Just as you need to stay calm, you should also strive to find the positive in every situation. When organisational changes make your job harder, try not to focus on the negative. Youโll become a more valued member of your team and your boss will take note of your leadership skills.
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