Courtney Sallis’ Post

🎇 This needed to be re-shared🎇 The post below is awesome. However, instead of reading it from the negative side " how NOT to treat your EA" I would flip it and focus on the positive spin "how to grow your relationship with your EA" I heard once "People + Processes = Success" Collaboration between an exec and their EA is very different to teamwork. Either party can lead when working collaboratively. This will only come from a strong relationship and report. It inevitably leads to better time management, better efficiency and effectiveness and also better stress management. As an EA you will need to focus on: 🌟 Frequent and clear communication. Frequency, content v context, relevant information, what communication source your exec prefers, clarity. Both parties should engage with this, be in agreement and have exceptional levels of trust. 🌟 Processes. As an EA you should be the information flow manager sot hat you can be aware of everything to personally deal with the information 🌟 1:1 meetings. Touch base as often as you can. It only needs to be a few minutes if you do this often enough. Cofirm and align priorities, obtain as much information as you can, manager your strategic calendar with a holistic approach. 🌟 General Meetings: Prep -> Meeting -> Debrief. Every single time. There seems to be a big drive at the moment as to the execs not doing XYZ or utilizing their EA's or bringing their EA's into the inner circle. Let's flip that rhetoric and instead focus on how as EA's or admins we can place ourselves in the best position to be included in that circle and to get a seat at the table. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 😊 #admin #executiveassistant #buildingrelationships #seatatthetable #support #leadership #personeldevelopment

I have been saying this for years. Don't just give us the base work. Use us for our project management skills. Use us for our negotiating and vendor management skills. Communicate with us, but don't belittle us. We're humans. Not Machines. We require assignments and understand the metrics you want executed. You want us to be a part of the strategic conversation. If we want to develop professionally and are giving you signs we want more resources, let us level up. It will be a reflection of the company. We are a reflection of the company. For the love of all the earth, do not micromanage us. I hate it when a supervisor micromanages me. I've had my fair share of this from past and current roles. My being underutilized is a reflection of the company not having a strategic plan to use my skills appropriately. I'm more than a note-taker and coordinator. I have people skills, understand risk management, can negotiate when put in the proper situation, and have some useful project management skills. You should see my data entry background. You need data managed on your CRM? Done. You need me to handle your calendar? Done. You need me to be your liaison and gatekeep your presence in the office? Done. You need me to handle vendors? Budgets? Accounts Receivables? Payables? Done and done. I have unique skills. Use them. Don't abuse them.

Executive assistants have the gift of seeing their company from the top. And the Chief of Staff role is not the only or even "the most natural" next step for EAs who are looking to transition roles. Instead, the Chief of Staff role is one of *MANY* potential next steps for a high-level, strategic EA. Project management, HR, and operations also make a lot of sense. If you are an EA looking to transition roles: ▪ Start observing the functions in your company and which you’re drawn to. ▪ Set up some coffee dates (in person or virtually) to get to know and ask questions of people in roles you’re interested in.   ▪ If you have the bandwidth, take on small projects within different functions that you may be interested in. ▪ Share your goals with your leader and ask for their support as you explore what's next for you. ▪ Focus on your mindset & confidence: you CAN do a different job, and you will use the viewpoint of your EA role to help you learn, grow, and get there. These are just a few things to start with. But what's the most important thing? JUST START.  Changing roles and learning a new job is hard. But there's no reason EAs should feel *more stuck* in their job than people in other roles. *We can ALL learn and grow.* As an EA, rely on your company knowledge and your strong relationships. The Chief of Staff role is just one of *many* potential next jobs. -   Ps. In my role as Founder of Nova Chief of Staff, I talk to hundreds of EAs who LOVE their job and never want to do anything else but be a kick-ass EA. And to this, we celebrate! There's truly nothing better than finding career alignment. 💙 - ♻ Let's end the stigma around EAs being stuck in their roles. Please share with your network and follow me, Maggie Olson for daily CoS, C-Suite, and Leadership content. --   *Share in the comments: what are other things EAs can do to learn other functions within the company and eventually transition roles? #chiefofstaff #Eexecutiveassistant #generalist #CEO #leadership

Executive Assistants have the gift of seeing their company from the top. And the Chief of Staff role is not the only or even "the most natural" next step for EAs who are looking to transition roles. Instead, the Chief of Staff role is one of *MANY* potential next steps for a high-level, strategic EA. Project management, HR, and operations also make a lot of sense. If you are an EA looking to transition roles: ▪ Start observing the functions in your company and which you’re drawn to. ▪ Set up some coffee dates (in person or virtually) to get to know and ask questions of people in roles you’re interested in.   ▪ If you have the bandwidth, take on small projects within different functions that you may be interested in. ▪ Share your goals with your leader and ask for their support as you explore what's next for you. ▪ Focus on your mindset & confidence: you CAN do a different job, and you will use the viewpoint of your EA role to help you learn, grow, and get there. These are just a few things to start with. But what's the most important thing? JUST START.  Changing roles and learning a new job is hard. But there's no reason EAs should feel *more stuck* in their job than people in other roles. *We can ALL learn and grow.* As an EA, rely on your company knowledge and your strong relationships. The Chief of Staff role is just one of *many* potential next jobs. -   Ps. In my role as Founder of Nova Chief of Staff, I talk to hundreds of EAs who LOVE their job and never want to do anything else but be a kick-ass EA. And to this, we celebrate! There's truly nothing better than finding career alignment. 💙 - ♻ Let's end the stigma around EAs being stuck in their roles. Please share with your network and follow me, Maggie Olson for daily CoS, C-Suite, and Leadership content. --   *Share in the comments: what are other things EAs can do to learn other functions within the company and eventually transition roles? #chiefofstaff #executiveassistant #generalist #CEO #leadership

Ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list? You're not alone. As a business leader, there comes a point when delegation isn't just an option, it's a necessity for growth. The right time to hire an Executive Assistant (EA) can be a pivotal decision in your career or business journey. When your calendar becomes a battleground, and strategic planning takes a backseat to daily admin, it's time to consider an EA. If you're spending more time managing your schedule than leading your team or driving the business forward, that's a clear signal. An EA does more than manage appointments; they become the linchpin of efficiency, enabling you to focus on what you do best. The decision often hinges on ROI. Is the cost of hiring an EA outweighed by the value of the time you'll reclaim? For many, the answer is a resounding yes. An EA can streamline operations, manage communications, and even handle personal tasks, freeing you to concentrate on high-level strategy and revenue-generating activities. It's not just about time, though. It's about energy and headspace. The mental load of juggling countless tasks can be just as taxing as the tasks themselves. An EA can alleviate this burden, allowing you to maintain clarity and drive in your role. Ultimately, if you find yourself constantly in the weeds of administrative work, it might be time to hire an EA. This strategic move can empower you to lead more effectively, innovate, and steer your business towards greater success. #ExecutiveAssistant #Leadership #TimeManagement

The Secret Ingredient to Executive Success: Creating the Right EA <> Exec Partnership Behind every high-performing executive is often a perfectly matched executive assistant. But what makes this partnership truly click? As an EA with years in the trenches, I've identified key elements of a great fit and ways to nurture it: 1. Adaptability: Can I flex my communication and work style to match theirs?   How to foster: Observe your exec's preferences closely. Adjust your methods proactively. 2. Clear expectations: Are their needs and priorities well-defined?   How to foster: Initiate regular check-ins. Ask specific questions about their goals and pain points. 3. Trust & autonomy: Will they empower me to make decisions?   How to foster: Start small. Demonstrate reliability and good judgment consistently. 4. Growth mindset: Do they support my professional development?   How to foster: Share your career aspirations. Propose ways your growth can benefit the team. 5. Values alignment: Do our professional ethics and goals match?   How to foster: Articulate your values through your work. Seek to understand the company culture deeply. Remember, it's not just about skills—it's about creating a symbiotic relationship where both parties thrive. Our ability to adapt is crucial, but we also play an active role in shaping a successful partnership. What strategies have you used to foster a great exec-EA match? Share below! #ExecutiveAssistant #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth #MakeKnowledgeSharingYourBitch

How would I work with an Executive Assistant from Magic being a business owner? Simple... - First I'd check what my goals for this Q are, it's easier to think in three-month slots than a quick goal for the next week or month (there's always a learning curve no matter what position we're talking about). - I'd prioritize my goals based on what I've been missing this whole time (probably the reason why I needed an EA in the first place) this is usually about the work I've been wanting something else to do for me, and work I can delegate to someone. - After putting my goals on paper and identifying priorities I'd show my EA how I do the work, maybe some Loom videos or a daily 1:1 session for the first weeks showing them how I get things done and going over Q&As. - Schedule performance reviews every two weeks with reasonable criteria (I hired an EA, not a seasoned project manager). This works in hand with my goals. I need to measure my progress and compare it against time; it's always productivity against time. - Iterate where needed and document the journey. Always make sure you've registered what works and throw away what doesn't. Working with an EA makes your life easier, and your work more productive, this is why delegation is key to success. Good leaders do the work themselves most of the time, but great leaders understand how to delegate and show their peers how to do things. #salesadvice #executiveassistant #delegation #keytosuccess

Ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list? You're not alone. As a business leader, there comes a point when delegation isn't just an option, it's a necessity for growth. The right time to hire an Executive Assistant (EA) can be a pivotal decision in your career or business journey. When your calendar becomes a battleground, and strategic planning takes a backseat to daily admin, it's time to consider an EA. If you're spending more time managing your schedule than leading your team or driving the business forward, that's a clear signal. An EA does more than manage appointments; they become the linchpin of efficiency, enabling you to focus on what you do best. The decision often hinges on ROI. Is the cost of hiring an EA outweighed by the value of the time you'll reclaim? For many, the answer is a resounding yes. An EA can streamline operations, manage communications, and even handle personal tasks, freeing you to concentrate on high-level strategy and revenue-generating activities. It's not just about time, though. It's about energy and headspace. The mental load of juggling countless tasks can be just as taxing as the tasks themselves. An EA can alleviate this burden, allowing you to maintain clarity and drive in your role. Ultimately, if you find yourself constantly in the weeds of administrative work, it might be time to hire an EA. This strategic move can empower you to lead more effectively, innovate, and steer your business towards greater success. #ExecutiveAssistant #Leadership #TimeManagement

The Secret Ingredient to Executive Success: Finding the Right EA Fit 🤝 Behind every high-performing executive is often a highly effective executive assistant. But what makes this partnership truly click? As an EA with years in the trenches, I've identified key elements of a great fit and ways to nurture it: • Adaptability: Can I flex my communication and work style to complement theirs?  How to foster: Observe your exec's preferences closely. Adjust your methods proactively. • Clear expectations: Are their needs and priorities well-defined?  How to foster: Initiate regular check-ins. Ask specific questions about their goals and pain points. • Trust & autonomy: Will they empower me to make decisions?  How to foster: Start small. Demonstrate reliability and good judgment consistently. • Growth mindset: Do they support my professional development?  How to foster: Share your career aspirations. Propose ways your growth can benefit the team. • Values alignment: Do our professional ethics and goals align?  How to foster: Articulate your values through your work. Seek to understand the company culture deeply. Remember, it's not just about skills—it's about creating a symbiotic relationship where both parties thrive. Our ability to adapt is crucial, but we also play an active role in shaping a successful partnership. 🌟 What strategies have you used to foster a great exec-EA dynamic? Share below! #ExecutiveAssistant #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth #MakeKnowledgeSharingYourBitch ---

"Can an Executive Assistant be promoted to Chief of Staff & keep their EA duties?"   I'm asked this frequently, and my answer is always NO. Here are 🔟 Reasons why leaders should not combine EA & CoS roles:   1. No one can do it all.   ↳ Each role requires distinct skill sets.   ↳ Asking one person to manage both strategic initiatives and detailed admin support is unsustainable.   2. Neither role will be done well.   ↳ Splitting attention across both responsibilities reduces effectiveness.   ↳ This leads to subpar outcomes in both strategy and support functions. 3. Each role is a full-time job.   ↳ Both the EA and CoS roles demand full-time focus.   ↳ Attempting to combine them overloads an individual, compromising performance. 4. EA & CoS are two very different roles.   ↳ An EA focuses on administrative tasks, while a CoS handles strategic execution.   ↳ The expertise required for each role is not interchangeable.   5. Recognition for both roles is rarely given.   ↳ Combining these roles often leads to underappreciation.   ↳ One role tends to overshadow the other in terms of acknowledgment and credit. 6. Pay is rarely at the CoS level when combined.   ↳ Even when CoS responsibilities are added, compensation typically reflects the EA role.   ↳ This undervalues the strategic work of a CoS. 7. Combining roles can lead to burnout.   ↳ The combined workload accelerates fatigue.   ↳ This results in reduced productivity and increased turnover. 8. The role perception will likely be EA, not CoS.   ↳ Combining roles blurs lines.   ↳ The person is often perceived as an EA, diminishing the strategic credibility needed for CoS responsibilities. 9. Capacity to solve problems as CoS is critical.   ↳ A CoS needs mental bandwidth for complex problem-solving.   ↳ This capacity diminishes when overloaded with both EA and CoS responsibilities. 10. Strategic impact will greatly suffer.   ↳ A CoS must focus on long-term strategy and high-impact decisions.   ↳ Important administrative tasks dilute their ability to influence at a strategic level. _   EA and CoS should *almost always* be two completely different roles. Maximize EACH role's impact for success. In the comments: what's your take, do you agree? _ ♻ Please share to help spread awareness. 👋 Follow Maggie Olson for daily CoS & leadership insights. #chiefofstaff