Who better to help EAs and PAs in their quest to be more strategic than Adam Fidler, author of The Strategic Executive Assistantโข, one of his best-selling programmes. As Adam explains, being strategic starts by asking the right questionsโฆ
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 EAโs minds to โsomething biggerโ 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 โDo you want the table booking for 12:30 or 1:00pmโ they reinforce a secretarial and transactional mindset. Those questions might need asking, but letโs compare that sort of question with something more open, such as, โTell me your objective?โ or โWhy do you think that?โ.
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 Executiveโs goals and aspirations.
At Adam Fidler Academy, we call this the 3x3x3 approach, and itโs 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?
- ย “What are the companyโs top three goals for this quarter/ year?
- ย “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 managerโs 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 โlearning agilityโ
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, โHow can I improve this?โ Or, โIs this the best way to get the job done?โ
These questions are more self-reflective, but will help you see beyond the situation, seek alternative ways of working and different perspectives. Being โstrategicโ isnโt 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 youโre interested, engaged or passionate about your job.
For more information on The Strategic Executive Assistantโข 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.
