Are you a new executive ready to take your career to the next level? If so, hiring an executive assistant may be the game-changer you need. An assistant can help busy executives stay organized, keep track of important tasks, stay in the know, and manage their responsibilities more efficiently. By utilizing the skillset of an executive assistant, new executives can gain a serious edge in their roles and make the most out of their time. New executives can maximize their productivity and optimize their chances of success by hiring an assistant and partnering with them. With an executive assistant as part of your team, you can be sure you’ll have the support and resources you need to thrive in your role. In this blog, we’ll explore why a new executive should hire an executive assistant assistant and how they are invaluable to their success.
What is an Executive Assistant?
An executive assistant is someone who assists with the executive’s administrative tasks, such as organizing files and calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments, managing emails, and much more. They provide valuable support to busy executives so they can focus on the big-picture tasks that will help them succeed in their roles.
A great executive assistant can provide so much more than surface-level basics, though. A truly great assistant will go beyond administrative duties and be an integral part of the executive team. They can act as a growth accelerator, helping new executives find solutions to complex problems, identify opportunities for growth, deploy their time strategically, and develop and maintain their brand. Top-tier assistants are creative problem solvers and master facilitators who remain calm under pressure no matter what the situation. Those problem-solving and facilitation skills are the lesser-known but critically important ones that can truly help an executive gain momentum and never look back. This is why it’s crucial to make sure you hire the right assistant for your needs.
The Benefits a Great Assistant Can Provide a New Executive
An assistant can be essential in staying organized, keeping track of tasks, and managing responsibilities more efficiently. With their expertise, executive assistants can help new leaders juggle the multitude of assignments and projects thrown their way. They provide valuable support, freeing up time so that busy executives can focus on the big-picture tasks that will help them succeed in their roles. By having an assistant on board, new executives can maximize their time and resources while also staying organized and efficient. Simply put, with an executive assistant on board, new executives can accomplish more in less time and better their chances of success in their roles.
Not only does an assistant provide administrative support, but they can also act as a mentor and coach. In The Executive’s Competitive Edge: Why You Need to Leverage the Talents & Time of an Executive Assistant by Joan Burge and James Bristow, administrative training legend Joan Burge explains, “As executives, we must recognize that the relationship between executive and executive assistant is that of a mentor/mentee relationship.” Joan recognizes the importance of this relationship so much that she even created a course designed to help executives and their assistants grow in partnership with one another. As with any mentorship relationship, the knowledge and experience exchange should flow freely, both ways.
An experienced, standout executive assistant will likely possess key knowledge about the industry, making them a valuable resource to new executives who may feel like they’re playing catch up. Partnering with someone who’s familiar not only with the organization but with the industry as a whole is a huge benefit to a new executive. An assistant can even provide guidance and insight into professional practices and help new executives get acclimated with their roles more quickly. This acceleration will allow a younger executive the ability to leap ahead and bypass potential landmines and obstacles with the ease and grace of someone with three times their tenure.
Executive assistants are also great assets for new executives when it comes to collaborating with other team members. An assistant can act as an intermediary between the executive and team members, ensuring that all tasks are completed on time and efficiently. They can also help coordinate meetings, schedule group activities, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. With the right assistant, new leaders can be sure their team will thrive. When an executive and their assistant see each other as partners, magic happens. The assistant can use their influence, network, and professional relationships to exponentially increase the reach of a new executive, providing a solid foundation and taking a heavy burden off the executive’s shoulders. It’s work done without needing to do work.
“As executives, we must recognize that the relationship between executive and executive assistant is that of a mentor/mentee relationship.”
Live The Life You Want
For new executives looking to live a balanced life and trying to avoid the traps of a crushing grind, an executive assistant may be the key. An exceptional assistant plays a vital role in helping their executives manage and anticipate challenges and tackle initiatives and projects with gusto. An executive assistant can be vital for a new executive trying to find that elusive balance in their life. With a great assistant by their side, an executive can maximize their time, intellect, and efforts and achieve success in all areas of life. By embracing the concept of having an executive assistant as a strategic partner, executives can realize a harmonious blend of work, home, self, growth, and health, all while also having the time to enjoy what matters most. Bottom line: with the right administrative assistant, you can come pretty close to having it all.
The Secret to Fast-Tracked Success
Hiring an assistant is an important investment for any new executive and can be the difference between success and failure. By utilizing the skillset of an executive assistant, you can maximize your time to focus on big-picture tasks related to your role as well as gain access to valuable industry experience and knowledge. An assistant can also help coordinate meetings, schedule group activities, and act as an intermediary between the executive and team members. With the right assistant, you can be sure that your team will run at its fullest potential and optimize your chances of success in your role. Are you ready to take your career to the next level? If you’re a new executive looking to give your team a competitive edge, hiring an executive assistant is the way to go.
Becoming an Insider Executive
If you’re a new executive who wants to bypass some of the trials and tribulations of your early growth phase, it’s time to expand your library. Written by executives Joan Burge and James Bristow, The Executive’s Competitive Edge: Why You Need to Leverage the Talents & Time of an Executive Assistant helps leaders understand how to utilize the power of their executive assistants. They artfully blend best practices with new-world techniques, outlining, in great detail, how executives can best approach the critical relationship they must establish with their assistants. A must-read for every executive, leader, and business owner, this robust yet approachable book explains the vital role executive assistants play in the modern business world, demonstrating their exponential impact on their executive’s productivity. Loaded with one incredible takeaway after another, business leaders will find this book acts as a critical guide, providing them with the tools and advice they need to find new levels of success. Learn more and get your copy today!