A strategic Assistant wants more out of life and has so much more to offer, says Jodie Mears
The concept of the ‘Strategic Assistant’ has been going viral for the past year or so. It has become the sought-after job title or reference that many people want to incorporate into their LinkedIn profiles. But let’s be real, this isn’t a new concept. The best Assistants have always been strategic even before the term became popular.
However, many Assistants have been asking the same question, “what does a strategic Assistant actually do? Am I one”? It dawned on me not too long ago that many of us don’t know the real meaning of it. It’s not about more tasks, it’s not about being at the board room table, or trying to become an executive. To be strategic, you have to change the way you are currently thinking, it’s very personal and self-reflective, but the first steps are to be visible, to have an intention, and to have influence.
Challenging the Definition of a Strategic Assistant
Let’s talk about what people think a strategic Assistant is supposed to be. People have this notion that they are Assistants who are at the top of their game, who are coordinating the company’s activities perfectly, always one step ahead, providing solutions and in effect acting as the eyes and ears of the executive. Sounds impressive, right? But let’s break it down.
A strategic Assistant is not a perfectionist, a full-time planner, or someone who comes up with solutions alone. From my observations, they are natural leaders, they want more out of life and have so much more to offer. They know the company inside out, communicate with confidence and can find solutions that lead to real change for the business.
It’s not about the word alone becoming part of your job title or being referred to as a business partner without substance, it’s about growing, growing, and growing and making sure that the work you are doing is not only good for the business but aligns with your own expertise. So, the question then arises of “is this a promotion.” Officially promoting the Assistant who is showing all these signs is an indication that the organization values the position and the contributions that come with it, but not all will. Some will be bound by job title banding but that does not mean you are also bound by those limitations.
My Journey to Visibility
I spent years of my life thinking that if I delivered great results, executives would automatically notice me. I was wrong. I believed that visibility was bragging. I was wrong. It’s about making others aware of the value that you bring.
I stopped assuming and started acting. I transformed my LinkedIn profile to be the landing page I wanted people to see when people googled my name. It is important to understand that social media plays a far bigger role in being visible than we care to accept.
When I began to share my story, my solutions, and lessons with my colleagues, I noticed something great happened. I wasn’t showing off when I was offering information. People related to me. They got something out of it too. From there I was able to create a personal brand that made me a go-to person, internally and externally. I challenge you to think strategically today when you are thinking of new ways to solve issues at work. Start small if you need to but start.
