An internal network can significantly impact both individual performance and overall organizational success, explains Cathy Harris
It is often stated that when the need arises, the deed is done. This sentiment is true for many reasons, especially where Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the organization and the leadership they support. One of the most effective ways for Assistants to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness is by embracing an internal network within their organization.
An internal network must include other administrative professionals within the organization with the same passion and purpose as yourself. Creating a network provides a platform for collaboration, support, resources, professional growth, and personal development. There are multiple benefits to creating an internal network, and it can significantly impact both individual performance and overall organizational success.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
An internal network fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing among administrative Assistants. By connecting with peers, Assistants can exchange best practices, share insights, and learn from each other’s experiences. This collaborative environment encourages the sharing of valuable information, tools, software, and business techniques that can streamline business processes specific to your role and your organization’s requirements. This allows collaboration between stakeholders where Assistants are the end users of applications and processes and allows the experts within your peer group to share their skills with the rest of the Assistant community.
Learning from Each Other
For Assistants, the problem is that you often don’t have the right networks around you to be able to collaborate. Companies lose hard-earned money each year because they follow traditional routes when sourcing training for Assistants. Many times that training is not specific to the profession, and numerous training facilitators themselves lack the hands-on experience Assistants have.
This is where an internal network provides opportunities for professional development, from leadership to performance management, and many other great initiatives that drive our profession. Assistants themselves are experts in their own right, and have the capability to set up workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs, sharing topics that are close to their hearts and that they know others within the network can benefit from. This hands-on training approach then allows for all Assistants to have the same opportunity to develop within the profession. Moreover, the network can serve as a platform for career advancement and can align their development to the Global Skills Matrix, a resource tool freely available to all Assistants at https://globalskillsmatrix.com/.
Emotional Support and Stress Reduction
The Assistant role is demanding and stressful, often requiring the juggling of multiple tasks and responsibilities, managers, and teams. The internal network also offers a support system where Assistants can share their challenges and seek both guidance and advice from their peers who understand the unique pressures. This emotional support can alleviate stress and foster a sense of camaraderie, making the workplace more enjoyable and less isolating. Knowing that there is a community of peers to rely on can significantly enhance job satisfaction and overall well-being. Assistants must be able to support each other as much as they can. You are only as strong as the weakest person in your team, so the need to provide emotional support and encouragement is essential. Your internal network is fundamental in meeting this need.
Increased Efficiency or Positive Growth
When Assistants collaborate within their network, they can collectively address and solve problems more efficiently. By pooling knowledge and resources, they can develop innovative solutions to common challenges they encounter daily, such as managing multiple schedules, researching for a big project, organizing staff or business events, and managing high-level support requests. This collective problem-solving approach not only saves time but also ensures that tasks are completed more effectively. The network can facilitate the sharing of templates, checklists, and other resources that can standardize processes bespoke to Assistants and make them easily accessible to locate and use.
Organizational Culture
Your Assistant network contributes to building a stronger and more cohesive organizational culture. The network promotes a positive work environment where collaboration and mutual support are valued by all the Assistants who embrace and engage with their network.
With the increased interest in setting up internal networks, other forums celebrate and give recognition to internal networks that stand out in the industry. In South Africa, the Platinum Assistant Network is one such body that continues to recognize internal networks and has an award category just for this! So, inter-organizational competition encourages the creation and maintenance of successful internal networks.
Setting It Up and Putting It All into Perspective
Initiating a network takes a special kind of Assistant, one who is willing to be a game changer and a legacy maker, one who can gather the troops and create a community that has the same passion and enthusiasm to grow outside of daily roles and skillsets, gain the opportunity to learn something new and different, and take on an initiative that will set them apart from the rest. An innovative mindset and a willingness to take on the challenge is the first step.
Of course, an internal network must align with the organization’s goals, brand, and learning aspirations. The following five pillars are the foundations for creating your internal network and will assist you to compartmentalize and easily identify the different categories of needs and resources for your Assistant community.
Keen to Set Up a Network?
There are plenty of great reasons to have an internal network. One of the best reasons is that it provides a platform that is specifically for administrative professionals, where you are the experts, the negotiators, and the decision-makers. You have a platform to voice what you need to make your job more efficient and effective and to speak out when change needs to happen.
You have a unique opportunity to create a standard that is appropriate for Assistants within your organization, allowing everyone an equal opportunity and access to development and resources. Having a one-stop shop for Assistants to access everything they need, or want, saves time and frustration and nurtures a sense of belonging and engaging actively with your peer group.
If you are keen to set up an internal network, you can contact Cathy Harris via the Executive Support Speaker Bureau (https://executivesupportmagazine.com/speakers/cathy-harris/) or you can purchase the book Executive Support Guide to Creating an Internal Assistant Network (www.amazon.com/Executive-Support-Creating-Internal-Assistant/dp/B0CF4CXVJZ).
