How EAs are saving the day during COVID
Right now, executives need their assistants more than ever. The basic role of the EA is to give time back to their boss. This means the executive has to communicate all goals, objective and priorities clearly with the EA, and the EA has to use this big picture to keep the exec laser-focused on what matters. That means being 100% aware of what matters, at all times.
As worldwide businesses adapt to remote working, EAs are using tech, as well as their renowned empathic skills, to keep their bosses’ finger on the pulse of the organisation and maintain connections between teams and CEOs. Here are some of the techniques they’re using.
Planned interactions. No more leaning over the EA’s desk. EAs are now scheduling regular interaction with their execs and setting up virtual meetings on their behalf, acting as a communication bridge to other assistants, and being trusted more than ever to proactively read, forward, and respond to their execs’ messages and to remind them of important deadlines.
Mentoring. EAs are coming into their own as leaders, organising regular team mentoring calls to check everyone’s wellbeing and offering support where needed, as well as organising virtual team bonding and charity events to keep morale up.
Actually, doing what they’ve always done. The reality of the EA role means being on call 24/7, so EAs are already used to working from home and have been able to shift seamlessly to the new remote office.
Stepping up in pandemic panic meetings. At the start of the pandemic, everyone wanted to talk to the CEO, but thanks to EAs, not everyone got to. Many have upskilled to be able to join, contribute to, and take notes on high-level meetings in their execs’ stead, providing them with vital insights.
Bossing the boss. EAs are managing their execs with colour-coded reminders and insisting on daily or twice-daily meetings to stay in the loop and ensure their execs are staying on task.
Taking time for self-development. Those whose duties have lessened are using the time to take on extra training and learn new skills to become more useful in their roles.
Taking on extra projects. Execs need to focus on their big-picture responsibilities right now, so EAs have been stepping even further outside their job description than usual to free up time for them.
Turning into intrapreneurs. EAs in particularly hard-hit industries have been coming up with and implementing their own projects, such as new customer service initiatives. They already have the leadership skills to do this because they’re accustomed to stepping in for their executives during normal times.
If your EA isn’t quite at the level of these folks, the problem might be you, not them. Are you communicating relentlessly? When they’re constantly aware of what you’re after and why, EAs enjoy their role, take ownership and push themselves to the limit to support you.