As well as training and educating first-class PAs and EAs, Adam Fidler, Principal and Founder of Adam Fidler Academy, is often asked to run sessions teaching Executives work better with their Executive Assistant. Many Executives struggle with the vision and confidence to take their EA into a partnership, particularly if theyโve never had an EA beforeโฆ
Here is some much-needed advice you may wish to share with your boss.
How to help Executives work better with their Executive Assistant
- Let your EA in: Your EA needs to have โaccess all areasโ. The more you explain your goals, vision and aspirations to your EA, the more they can help you be more effective in how you get there.
- Allow your EA to listen and see for you: EAs have a key role in listening and observing. Let your EA feed back to you and be honest with you about what they notice and hear. They are your confidant and advisor.
- Let your EA do the managing: My โEA Manifesto: What I Amโ has a great last line that refers to the EA working as a manager, to allow you to focus on leadership.
- Ensure you have a regular catch-up or 1:1 with your EA: This is your prime time to off-load, share, delegate and build a strong working relationship with your EA. Communication over email will never rival a good old conversation. 1:1s shouldnโt just be about diaries and travel; use the time to help your EA understand the bigger picture.
- Tap into your EAโs biggest strength, their emotional intelligence: Your EA is your emotional intelligence barometer. They will read the mood; ask them how the team feels and their sensing of things.
- Keep your EA informed of everything: A simple โccโ of an email or a quick instant message to keep your EA updated will save you time later on.
- Encourage your EA to be a strategic and creative thinker: Ask your EA their view, and their ideas. Let them challenge you and give you different perspectives through their independence and neutrality.
- Recognise your EAโs workload: The role can be as stressful and demanding as yours. Many EAs work for multiple bosses. Enquire about capacity and how your EA is coping.
- Talk to your EA about their development: Offer your EA support in helping them reach their career goals and aspirations. Agree together some stretching goals that are about developing their management skills. The ideas above will help, but, above all, donโt forget reciprocity is the key to a successful working relationship.
Executive and EA partnership
When you take your EA into a partnership, the role of a boss and assistant becomes symbiotic, and is, arguably, one job. Adam Fidler Academy provides high-level education and training for EAs, as well as working with organisations and leaders to help them shape and understand the executive support function.
For more details, see: adamfidler.academy
See more excellent articles by PA Life’s Career Development columnist Adam Fidler.
