Heather Taylor shares some of the key strategies that helped her succeed as a C-Suite Assistant
In the fast-paced and dynamic world of the C-Suite, effective Executive Assistants play a vital role in supporting executives, enhancing productivity, and driving organizational success. Throughout my career in the C-Suite space, I have adopted various strategies and best practices to build strong working relationships with executives and contribute to high-level decision-making.
The Power of Bold Requests
During one of my interviews for an EA role, I made a bold request to the executive: access to their inbox and ownership of their calendar. This request was driven by a clear vision of how these privileges would enable me to anticipate needs, provide proactive solutions, and manage action items efficiently. Despite my own initial apprehensions, the executive agreed to the request, understanding the value of having a proactive and empowered Assistant.
The experience taught me an important lesson – as Assistants, we must not be afraid to advocate for what we need to excel in our roles. By exercising courage and articulating our requirements thoughtfully, we can educate executives on the potential benefits of such an arrangement, fostering a more effective and productive partnership.
Maximizing Access for Optimal Impact
Having access to an executive’s inbox is akin to having the right tools to be an efficient co-pilot. It allows Executive Assistants to gain insights, anticipate challenges, and stay one step ahead. With access to these resources, Assistants can streamline communication, remove distractions, and prioritize tasks, empowering executives to focus on strategic priorities and critical decisions.
On the other hand, limited access can lead to disorganization, confusion, and inefficiencies. By making the most of this access, Assistants can significantly contribute to time management, helping executives regain control of their schedules and achieve a better work-life balance.
This empowerment also enables Assistants to unravel confusion and establish inclusion and clarity, enabling communication to flow smoothly. At the pinnacle of this ascent lie two critical elements: trust and anticipation. Trust is established through the transparent sharing of information, allowing Assistants to anticipate needs and respond effectively. With trust, Executive Assistants ascend beyond mere support, making significant contributions to productivity and growth.
This holistic approach to access doesn’t just facilitate tasks but also nurtures an environment of collaboration, where Assistants are not only integral but indispensable partners in the C-Suite journey.
Key Elements for Success
In the C-Suite space, there are three fundamental elements that every Assistant must focus on to succeed:
Open and transparent communication
Effective communication is the foundation of any successful partnership. Assistants must establish open channels of communication with their executives, enabling clear exchanges of ideas, concerns, and expectations.
Demonstrating reliability and competence
Executive Assistants must consistently deliver on promises, take ownership of tasks, and exhibit competence in their roles. By being reliable and proactive, they can build trust with their executives, leading to more significant responsibilities and opportunities for impact.
Mutual respect and appreciation
A productive relationship between an executive and their Assistant is built on mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s contributions. Recognizing the value that Executive Assistants bring to the table fosters a supportive environment where both parties can thrive.
Conclusion
In the C-Suite space, the role of an Executive Assistant goes beyond administrative support; it becomes a strategic partnership that significantly impacts an organization’s success. Executive Assistants can elevate their roles and contribute meaningfully to their executives and the overall success of the organization.
A productive and supportive executive–Assistant relationship creates a positive impact, not only within the workplace but throughout the organization and beyond.
