These duties come may come with full or partial authority, which will also be spelled out in the bylaws. This was a great article! This report provides a matrix that nominating committees and boards can use to help define their needs and to provoke discussion about how to improve […] As a non-executive director, the board will often look to you to take the lead on new proposals, business ideas, and suggestions—especially if the idea, proposal or suggestion is your own. Our brains just aren’t made to handle more than one complex task at a time. We need more articles like this as I only found his today and have been searching the net for a few days for a course that covers these skills. Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation Teaching Negotiation Resource Center offers. Some examples that we cover in our article are, Top Skills for Dedicated Executive Assistants, 12. Good read. Executive function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Responsibility. To be honest, I still don’t know exactly how she did it. The ability to troubleshoot for your boss is a must-have skill. Very resourceful and on point. Thanks for sharing this with us. This plays out in two ways. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. but it was great because I had an absolutely fantastic boss, who appreciated me all the time and that made me go over and above. Talk soon! How can you skew it toward your side? The EA function has transformed from a supporting role to more of a strategic one. So glad you found this article helpful. Here’s another hat to add to the long list that the average EA has to wear – personal IT professional. Someone that understood the work of an EA and lays it out clearly and beautifully. Very good article! keep posting more information on this. I should have proofed it. Like always filled with full of invaluable info Awesome hi Download our Board Resources Pack and get the tools you need to help separate you from the competition! brilliant blog! All things any board would value in a new board member. But these weren’t normal circumstances. Describing the EA as well as you did, makes us feel worthy of our jobs. This was a very good read after a very trying day at work, at a new company that has no real direction. Just whilst going through all the sections, how much work, attention to duty, attention to all kinds of everything, I should have been paid in gold. I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding How else can you get more done in the same amount of time? There are undoubtedly others but, the list below is a good place to begin and might help you understand where you are likely to contribute your skills at board level. But more than likely, these people cultivated their impressive negotiating skills. One of the Exec Assistants there got a request from her boss around 10 A.M. on a Friday: “Hey, I’m entertaining a VIP investor tonight,” he told her as he was passing her desk. They are dedicated to continuous improvement. If you’re not quite confident in your understanding of the ins and out of your company and your competitors, there’s a fun and easy way to quickly get up to speed. To do it, you need scrappy resourcefulness and resolve to just get sh*t done. Great article! And yes Vanessa L. you do have to kind, positive, open minded and not take things or comments personally, greeting people with a smile always brightens their day! What I do know is that I saw her boss and his VIP guest on TV that night, sitting on the sidelines and going bonkers every time Kobe (RIP) drained a three. Great article! Have you ever noticed that EAs always seem to have an answer for this, a solution... 2. Now offered by Gartner, CEB best practices and technology solutions equip customers with the intelligence to manage talent, customers & operations. To be successful in this role, you should be well-organized, have great time management skills and be able to act without guidance. She stayed calm under the pressure of a difficult task with a tight deadline. Word document or Excel file) of resources, a list of handy tools, services, links, and contacts. Company Swag Ideas Employees Really Want Excellent content! Creating a skills matrix of the board members is a good way to begin. I’d definitely donate to this Expert Level Communication (and a Penchant for Real Talk), People Also Ask These Questions About Executive Assistant Skills, 18 Company Swag Ideas Employees Really Want, 71 Insanely Fun Team Building Activities For Work (Not “Trust Falls”), 29 Helpful Tools Every Executive Assistant Should Know About, 27 Ridiculously Fun Icebreaker Games in For Your Next Meeting, The 11 Best Custom & Branded Water Bottles For Work, Inc’s 10 Commandments of Emotional Intelligence, 4 steps that help anyone make faster, smarter decisions, education experts at Udemy, an online learning platform, recommend, 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read, The Top 10 Benefits of Being an Executive Assistant, 39 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas, 59 Ridiculously Fun Virtual Happy Hour Ideas, 100 Fun Office Games & Activities for Employees, 25 Virtual Holiday Party Ideas For Spirited Festive Fun, 74 Insanely Fun Team Building Activities for Work, The Best Employee Recognition Software Platforms, 121 Corporate Gift Ideas Your Clients and Customers Will Love, If you often interface with any EAs at other companies, send them. The qualities of an ideal member of the Executive Board and its sub-committees will vary depending upon the assignment but many of the following will be ideal: For the Executive Board: good experience at senior line management level. Let’s not sugarcoat things – executives … Thanks for the many resources! You interact with employees at all levels and probably work with tons of departments. She paused, took a deep breath, and immediately got to work. It’s no doubt that Executive Assistants are tasked with a wide range of tasks – it’s what makes them rockstar employees! In both cases, anticipating problems and nipping in the bud can save you countless headaches down the road, and allow you and your boss to focus on the important stuff. Thanks for the information. These emails can reach entire departments – even entire companies – so top-notch writing skills are a huge asset. What executive skills are most prized by companies today? SnackNation Insights Start a niche blog. In this situation I strongly recommend speaking to the stakeholders of the organisation to get their perspective on the strategic challenges they believe face the organisation and the ones that they also face themselves (as they are likely to be similar). Being proactive helps everyone. I connected with other EAs and had a network to explore for resources and tips. Thank you for sharing and reminding us of how important our job is and what a big role we play for our executives. The industry? If your organization game could use some improvement, check out monday.com (our favorite) as a solution! 100 Fun Office Games & Activities for Employees Have you ever noticed that EAs always seem to have an answer for this, a solution for that, and a resource to help with everything in between? Building the right board requires an understanding of director competencies, which involves consideration of the directors’ experience, skills, attributes and capabilities. You can too. But when you can, pair the more mindless activities together to maximize your time. He has been described as Australia’s leading board recruitment expert, is a published author, a regular speaker on the board appointment process and runs Board Search Masterclasses across Australia. Sorry for the typos. They promote the organization... 2 Honing fundraising skills. Anything we missed? Remember the EA who scored impossible-to-find Lakers tickets? A great read ! Definitely prioritize your focus-intensive tasks and knock them out one by one. Great information and we’ll worth my time to learn and refresh on EA Skills. (PS – Get more sh*t done with The Assist — the #1 free weekly newsletter made for assistants by assistants.). Consider the leverage on both sides. Here it is again: 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read. Excellent article! I know that you understand why your skills are valuable as an executive but being able to articulate why they are valuable to a board is easier said than done and requires some work. Above all else, executive directors are communicators. 31 Sensational Swag Bag Ideas Key to any board application is determining what a board wants in a new Member. Guardian. In a single day, you might deal with executives at other companies, investors and board members, vendors fighting for your company’s business, or journalists trying to get your boss to say something on the record. 39 Thoughtful Employee Appreciation Ideas thank you for sharing such informative and worth reading topics. Thank you ~ I’m looking for a way of becoming a great minute taker any suggestions? A demanding role like this requires expert-level skills. Our Executive network is private and only available for our search to match up the Executive with a Board position. In simpler terms, EAs need to help their bosses prioritize, and they need to be absolutely ruthless about it. The benefits of gaining a board appointment are considerable – both professionally and personally and there are hundreds of organisations looking for Non Executive Directors at any given moment. I want more. This was the playoffs. I’m exhausted reading it. Many taskmasters swear by the Pomodoro Technique for getting through their to-do lists. Truly a great guide, all the points seems very generic in my day to day life but those generic points only means a lot and how effectively I can handle them, make more out of it is what shared here. Q: How can I improve as an executive assistant? I was an EA for 7 years and yet I struggle to answer that question: What does an EA do. Very helpful and succinct. Who are you people? An Executive Assistant is like a spokesperson for their executive. But it’s best to act quickly and confidently and move things forward rather than wait around for further clarity, or worse, permission. The link is fixed. You are so kind Lisa! These skills include planning, organization, time management, metacognition, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance. Prioritization is something you work on in collaboration with your boss and is definitely something you’ll both get better at over time. Centre for Skills is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteers serving on our Board of Directors. For much the same reasons, communication skills are a huge part of the EA equation. Governance Reviews, Training & Remuneration, Board Appointment Program (Professional Development), Why you should really consider taking an unpaid board role – even if you don’t want one. All these games are fun and engaging for everyone, but they can also serve as cognitive remedial tools that exercise executive functioning skills: working memory, management of distractions, attention to detail, stamina, response inhibition, as well as sustaining attention and mental shifting. EAs deal with people – lots of them. However, an opportunity to enter into this field has literally arisen out of nowhere. Thank you! Remember, execs want to be able to bounce ideas off you or gauge your reaction to proposed solutions. The benefits of gaining a board appointment are considerable – both professionally and personally and there are hundreds of organisations looking for Non Executive Directors at any given moment. The Red skills are under represented and other skills suggest a deficiency – both might be areas you could contribute. When you hear a statement or read a piece of news, consider if it could be proven or not. How do they view the situation? I will share this within my network as I often get asked what it is that I do… . Caroo.com True, you’ll rarely have all the information you need. But, if you do not have access to key board members or you are still unclear of the skills required by the board then you will need to find alternative routes to get this information. It is often argued which characteristics make the best leader, and a variety of situations will determine which of those characteristics will be best. In addition to the usual professional tools like Microsoft Office or Google’s G-suite, today’s EA has to be proficient in the myriad systems, apps, and plugins that executives use to do their jobs. Skills. By undertaking the exercise above, grasping what the most sort after skills are, understanding where you can contribute and what the strategic challenges the board/organisation is facing should form an essential part of your application process. It explains with simple words what the profession is about. Practice negotiating often, especially when nothing is at stake. To find out, I surveyed senior consultants in 2010 at a top-five global executive-search firm. Be kind, be positive. Today’s executives lean on their assistants not just for admin help, but for counsel, technical expertise, and critical analysis. When that didn’t work, she picked up the phone and tapped into her network of other EAs, cashing in longstanding favors and negotiating for favors down the line. As part of an executive board, you learn just how vital it is to stick to your word and … It must be frustrating. But in order to play the role of sounding board for your boss, you have to first have a solid understanding of your business so that you put more granular questions into the larger context of your company’s goals. Good luck on your opportunity! Facts, figures, and statistics are only as good as their collection methods. Gatekeeper. Many EAs also take on de-facto internal communications roles, drafting internal emails on behalf of their boss. Blog New Zealand. You’ve re-inspired me to stick with my challenging EA role. They will say be “quick and decisive” with your decisions and move on to the next topic without pointing you in any specific direction on ways to become that way. That’s a hell of a lot to do for how much pay? This is probably one of THE BEST EA articles I have EVER read. And yet, Executive Assistants are arguably more valuable now than they were in decades past. Trouble with executive function can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, among other things. A slip of the tongue or an errant email can have the same effect as a public Tweet about your company’s upcoming layoffs. This article served as a great reference tool and a great reminder of those little and not-so-little details I need to focus on to be effective in my workplace. Achieving optimal board composition and succession planning requires an articulated and clearly communicated enterprise strategy. These skills turn solid employees into indispensable critical thinkers that always seem to have the answers. Being honest and patient is important in this role. There are a number of ways this can be accomplished. Understanding what executive skills are required? Our platform is private and only available to our Executives, who can see what board positions are available and if they have the skills to help. Whether it’s news about an upcoming acquisition, HR matters, financial reports, or trade secrets, top-level executives constantly deal with sensitive information. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. People ask me regularly ‘What skills do most boards want in a potential board member?’. I really enjoyed reading this and it makes me (again) feel proud being a PA. We could not be in this job if we didn’t really enjoy what we’re doing. The Best Employee Recognition Software Platforms A: During our research for our annual State of The Executive Assistant Report, we found that EA’s are typically doing the work of three or more people by themselves. I could not really put into context all that I did – it was a lot (internal communications, project management, event planning, stakeholder liaison, support for board of directors, etc.) How has that array of skills changed in the last decade, and how is it likely to change in the next ten years? You are simply amazing. You can leverage a strong analytical skillset in any situation, from handling tricky social scenarios to making far-reaching company budget decisions. EA courses. Start off your own list of resources with our favorite secret: Let’s not sugarcoat things – executives can be demanding! Board of Directors. Online Accessibility Statement, Pricing To really thrive in the role, you have to be able to see ten moves ahead and anticipate issues before they become full-blown problems. If planning is long-range, it can guide the overall renewal plan and identify emerging needs while maintaining stability and knowledge on the board. To build more analytical thinking skills, the education experts at Udemy, an online learning platform, recommend a variety of simple steps. Thank you! I look forward to new updates and will Having gathered this information you should then be able to deduce the skills required at board level to tackle their challenges. Going back to my previous example, there was something besides her resourcefulness that helped the EA in my story snag those Laker tickets – that deep breath she took. Boards require a diverse matrix of skills but ‘pinning down’ what exactly these skills are can be difficult. thank you. Q: What does an executive assistant do in 2021? 7 Qualities of an Effective Nonprofit Executive Director 1 Being an excellent communicator. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After reading this, I am able to determine the areas/skills I want to focus and work on so that I can become a stronger, more efficient EA. Excited to hear that the list was helpful! Not only is this a great way to network within your company, but before long you’ll have built the foundational knowledge you need to provide valuable insights to your boss. Just finished one one Sean Kelly’s webinar for Executive Assistants. We provide a monthly, curated selection of healthy snacks from the hottest, most innovative natural food brands in the industry, giving our members a hassle-free experience and delivering joy to their offices. There’s no doubt that you have an important job, as does the executive with whom you work so closely day in and day out. The right details can make or break a resume for an executive. Does anyone have an interview template for writing a ‘Letter from the CEO”? Trust is probably the single biggest determining factor when it comes to success in the EA role. For more info visit: Privacy Policy & settings. Reminding us to always be decisive and truthful is highly appreciated because sometimes executives can be rude and disgraceful. Take the Quiz These top 3 should come as no surprise and generally make up the majority skills of a boards composition. The board chair works in concert with the board secretary to review and store legal documents, review and sign board meeting minutes, prepare the agenda, deliver notice of meetings, prepare reports for distribution and record actions taken by the board. SnackNation is a healthy office snack delivery service that makes healthy snacking fun, life more productive, and workplaces awesome. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. The numbers might seem significant, but if only 20 people out of a 500-person company actually took the survey, then the results might not tell a conclusive story after all. Which of our competitors keep you up at night? Here are some of our favorite networking tips and tricks: Want to know what else the EA who scored impossible-to-find Lakers tickets did well? Thank you in advance. If I HAD to add something it would be project management and delegation skills. Private Platform. The bylaws of the Council provide membership in the society for one representative of each union or council of unions who financially support SkillPlan, and one representative of an employer of the members of such a union or council of unions. 25 Virtual Holiday Party Ideas For Spirited Festive Fun I enjoyed reading this and it didn’t seem condescending or the opposite with tasks being unattainable. Privacy Policy I’ll be checking those out. 59 Ridiculously Fun Virtual Happy Hour Ideas They are a great place for me to start on my developmental journey. All … The Executive Management Program (EMP) at the DeGroote School of Business can help you increase the value you bring to your organization and provides the necessary leadership development skills required to perform throughout your career. To counter this here you need to make yourself aware of the current/future ‘issues’ that the board is concerning itself with and understand what is occurring at board level. But this only works if you stay true to your actual point of view. Great Article! Question the numbers. Your blog is mind-blowing. The first is what I call “situational anticipation.” That’s when you see the elements of a potential problem coming together, and you work proactively to prevent them from developing. List those in your sales executive resume. There’s no time for equivocation in the fast-paced world of the Executive Assistant. We were a great team. This is especially true in startup environments, where an EA might be the closest thing to an IT specialist that the company has. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Most execs have high-pressure jobs, and that pressure often gets passed on to you. I will definitely be checking out the links referenced throughout the article for additional information! To write the best Board-level CV you must communicate how you plan to bring a differentiating voice to the Board of Directors. The critical first step is in being clear on big picture goals. In order to be successfully appointed to a board or to submit an effective application it is important to first understand what skills appointing boards look for in potential board directors. The 2014-2015 year heralded the introduction of a Board skills matrix to the disclosures of many top Australian companies. Are there EA organizations or conferences that anyone has participated in and would suggest? In fact, a good EA develops organizational systems and improves messy legacy processes. Internally, you interact with employees at every level within the org, from entry-level contributors to managers, all the way up to the c-suite. Here are some adapted takeaways: What about you? Focus on the skills the board of directors wants. Thanks Lisa. This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. After you’ve prioritized your tasks, give them 100% of your attention, even if your thoughts try to wander to all the to-dos you need to tackle next. Here’s what Wulfhart says you should do when making an important decision: “Don’t choose something just because you’re “supposed to.”, “Remember that doing something trumps doing nothing.”. The series builds knowledge, skills and confidence in the core components of improving the quality and safety of health care, including: Process and systems thinking Initiating, sustaining, spreading and supporting large-scale change Personal, organizational and board development Thanks for sharing! Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. It can seem like some people are just born with a certain je ne sais quoi that inspires others to do their bidding, and maybe they were. (Sign up here). He has over a decade of experience of putting people on boards as an international headhunter and a non-executive recruiter and has interviewed over one thousand non-executives and placed hundreds into some of the most significant public, private and NFP roles in the world. The best EAs become trusted confidants and counsel for their execs. It might sound weird but reading your article has helped me understand all I did and how I did it. Good read and resources that I will be going back to again and again. Time management: Anyone managing another person’s time, as executive … After a good negotiation, everyone should walk away with something. Sign me up. Hi Jen! Once you are clear on the skills required by the board the next step is to identify where the skill gaps lie. Pay it forward. New at EA , this article is very helpful. Perhaps this is part of the networking or communication items – but I’ve found that when people think you’re kind, they are much more likely to negotiate with you, work well with you and be willing to do favors when you need them. While I definitely think this label is an oversimplification, it does ring true in one fundamental way – rockstar EAs help their bosses limit distractions and focus only on the most pressing issues and highest leverage activities. Being an EA is not easy and it takes a lot of effort and perseverance and patient. The ideas you’ve shared will be helpful for future purpose and reference. To build and maintain a strong support network, EAs have to cultivate amazing networking skills. The Only Corporate Event Planning Checklist You’ll Ever Need. This was a fantastic read. no sugar coating and mater of fact details. Of course we are all humans and sometimes we commit mistakes. The top 3 most requested skills are: Finance & Accounting Audit & Risk Legal To describe a nuanced trait like leadership, be sure to provide examples and context that spotlight your abilities from different angles. Leadership Skills for Board Members comprises the fundamen- tal traits, roles and skills necessary for building strong, effective leadership within nonprofit community development organiza- tions. Many EA articles/books give very generic advice with no real supporting materials to accompany it. Member Reviews In order to be successfully appointed to a board or to submit an effective application it is important to first understand what skills appointing boards look for in potential … Continued Simply put, you can’t prioritize without crystal clear objectives to help guide you. Not always easy at times, but you have to love your job and I do! Ongoing fundraising is a fundamental requirement of most non-profit. By taking this approach you will be able to demonstrate being an intelligent, proactive and thoughtful applicant and also be able to speak with confidence about how your skills can contribute and compliment the work of the board. Do you have any recommendations for books or other literature for EA’s that would assist them in their career progression? Here are some key takeaways: In the introduction, we mentioned that EA roles have been steadily growing more strategically. I have been doing some quick research on PA/EA’s and the services they provide. Q: What are the most important skills to learn as an executive assistant? Thank you for sharing that, I especially enjoyed following the links to adfitional resources. The Key Leadership Competencies are a mandatory component of the Executive (EX) Group Qualification Standard and the Directive on the Performance Management Program for Executives. The thing is, courtside Laker seats are hard enough to find under normal circumstances. I am also responsible for taking Board Meeting Minutes and I’m struggling a bit. Taking the time to fully utilize these tools will help with your overall productivity and can assure your executive that you are prepared for any tool that comes across your path. Communication skills: Executive assistants often serve as a gatekeeper, deciding which messages and which visitors or callers need to go directly to their employer and which need to redirected or handled in some other way. Check out our other blog post: 23 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read. Writing for the Muse, Decision Coach Nell McShane Wulfhart outlines 4 steps that help anyone make faster, smarter decisions. For instance, if your experience has taught you that your boss is sharper in the morning hours than after lunch, schedule that tough meeting in the morning, not the afternoon. Oftentimes Executive Assistants are seeing projects through from beginning to end, and working with different departments to get things done. Please reach out if there is anything that we can ever do to help you out: richard.fendler@snacknation.com. We wish to read often and more frm you! Director competencies encompass two distinct areas: technical competencies and behavioural competencies. Skills Canada Saskatchewan promotes skilled trades and technologies as a first choice career option for youth in Saskatchewan. It is not yet official but I have an interview – via phone – in a few days. Which, of course, means their assistants do too. She tapped into her solid network to make magic. Doing so might be the difference between diffusing a fraught situation or throwing your boss to the lions (something she definitely won’t appreciate). She used negotiating skills to nab tickets that everyone wanted. Here’s the thing. Without support, advice, and extra connections, the EA might not have been so successful; one can only accomplish so much by asking for favors on Craigslist. When writing your Board of Directors resume, you should emphasize an experience that supports your value statement as a member of the board of directors.