Who better to help EAs and PAs in their quest to be more strategic than Adam Fidler, author of The Strategic Executive Assistant™, one of his best-selling programmes. As Adam explains, being strategic starts by asking the right questions…
Questions a Strategic Executive Assistant should ask
Firstly, I encourage all EAs and PAs to ask lots of open-ended questions
Open-ended questions open the EA’s minds to ‘something bigger’ and also show their Executive that they want to understand the bigger picture, and are interested in learning.
For instance, if an EA only ever asks their boss the basics, such as “Do you want the table booking for 12:30 or 1:00pm” they reinforce a secretarial and transactional mindset. Those questions might need asking, but let’s compare that sort of question with something more open, such as, “Tell me your objective?” or ‘Why do you think that?”.
Immediately, these questions demonstrate self-awareness and a desire to understanding more than the routine aspects of the job.
EAs need to ensure they ask three key questions to tap into their Executive’s goals and aspirations.
At Adam Fidler Academy, we call this the 3x3x3 approach, and it’s about an EA asking their boss the following:
Secondly, the questions a Strategic Executive Assistant should ask include the 3x3x3 approach
- “What are your three top goals for your department this quarter/this year?
- “What are the company’s top three goals for this quarter/ year?
- “What are your top three personal objectives this quarter/this year?
Understanding the above will enable the EA to link into the company or department objectives and their manager’s personal aspirations. They also demonstrate an ability to think not only about their business-as-usual activities, but also the vision and strategy their boss is responsible for.
Thirdly, a strategic EA needs to demonstrate what is known as ‘learning agility’
This means that the EA shows they are open to new ideas and new ways of working and collaborating. Even Assistants who have been with the firm or in their role for a long time still have something new to learn. Ask, “How can I improve this?” Or, “Is this the best way to get the job done?”
These questions are more self-reflective, but will help you see beyond the situation, seek alternative ways of working and different perspectives. Being ‘strategic’ isn’t just the responsibility of a leader or manager. Everyone, including the EA, can foster an approach to their job which is more about the bigger picture. But, it takes time.
As I say to many EAs: you may have the skill, but do you have the will? In other words, can you be bothered to be strategic? Being curious is a great way to show you’re interested, engaged or passionate about your job.
For more information on The Strategic Executive Assistant™ programme, and other courses, please see: adamfidler.academy
Adam Fidler is a Career Development columnist for PA Life – you can read more great articles by Adam here.
