Secretary + Photocopy Machine, Mario Klingemann, CC BY NC When most people here the words “Executive Assistant” as a career choice, they never really seem impressed. When I say, “I am the right hand to a multimillionaire tech mogul. I help make decisions for a successful tech company; I plan weddings, vacations, travel, dinner; I draft policies to make our workplace more effective; I schedule contractors and architects to work on new homes or refurbished homes; I manage a budget (for him personally and our company professionally); I take the dog to the vet…etc” They stare. And then when I add, “And that was just Monday,” they finally seem impressed. As Study.com said, "executive assistants also perform duties that can have an effect on the success or profitability of a business." An Executive Assistant was a Secretary at one time. They were not regarded as the extra appendage that a CEO needs to function. The role has changed as the market has changed. We live in a fast paced world that does not have time to sit back and wait. It is the job of the Executive Assistant to help move things along and keep the pace. It also becomes the job of the Executive Assistant to categorize or as I like to call it, triage the day. What is the most important items that must be done today? What meetings can wait? What should you play gatekeeper with to protect the time of the CEO? These become your responsibilities (among - has he eaten? what time is his dinner reservation? did we send a birthday gift to his mom?) How do you get there? Do you wake up one day with these skills? Do you learn it in training? There are some things you can learn from school and training, but there are others you cannot. No one can teach you how to be on time, that is something you should do. No one can teach you how your boss will like his coffee, but you can ask. A lot of being an Executive Assistant comes from the relationship with your boss. You must have a mutual respect for one another and you have to trust each other. If you do not have those things, you will never advance to be the right hand man. Sadly, those things can’t be taught. You must step out of your comfort zone and help create that relationship. Have you had any experience with an Executive Assistant? Did you know the power he/she held? Executive Assistants are not secretaries, we are the the force that moves mountains. Or at least, I know I can.
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