Stephanie “Brez” Breslin’s Post

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

🌟 The moment that transformed my career as an EA 🌟 8 years ago, as a young and eager Executive Assistant, I was laser-focused on serving my one primary executive and four secondary executives in Management. 💼 I took pride in delivering excellent support, and their positive feedback was my north star. 🌟 But one day, during a staff meeting, a colleague gave me unexpected feedback: she felt ignored and disconnected during our interactions. 😧 I was shocked, even humiliated. How could that be? I attended to everyone's needs promptly and professionally—or so I thought. 🧐 Instead of dismissing it, I decided to dig deeper. I spoke to other colleagues and asked for their honest opinions. At first, they hesitated, but eventually, a pattern emerged: I was seen as efficient, but lacked a personal touch and came off as unapproachable. I was handling tasks, but I wasn’t connecting with people. That moment was a turning point. 💡 I evaluated and decided to change. I sought some pointer training. I started smiling more 😊, asking about my colleagues' families 👨👩👧, and engaging with them as individuals—not just tasks to complete and churn out of the office. I learned to balance the needs of my executives with building genuine relationships across the organization. The results? Transformational. ✨ My role became more fulfilling. ✨ Colleagues felt seen and valued. ✨ Team collaboration improved immensely. 🤔 What did I learn? As an EA, your role goes beyond tasks and schedules. You’re a bridge between people, a champion of connection, and a contributor to workplace harmony. 🤝 Today, as an administrative training consultant, I share this story to emphasize the importance of fostering strong interpersonal relationships. 💡 A well-rounded Executive Assistant excels not only in execution but also in creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment. This balance is what makes an EA truly indispensable. 💡 Let this be a reminder: never underestimate the power of connection—it’s what transforms a good Executive Assistant into an exceptional one. ✨ 💬 Have you ever had a moment of feedback that changed your approach? Let’s discuss! #ExecutiveAssistantTraining #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ConnectionMatters 🌟

In the intricate dance of professional life, an Executive Assistant (EA) can be the partner that helps you shine brightest. The right EA doesn’t just handle tasks; they augment your strengths, compensate for your challenges, and propel your aspirations forward. #executive #executiveassistant #executiveassistants #success

Hey everyone! I wanted to share some tips and insights from my journey as an Executive Assistant. This role is super dynamic and requires a blend of skills and adaptability. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way: 1. Anticipating Needs: Instead of waiting for requests, it's important to foresee them. Being proactive is key.. Executive Assistants understand their executives' preferences, work styles, and schedules so deeply that they can predict needs and address them before they even arise. This level of foresight comes from a deep commitment to the role. 2. Going the Extra Mile: Passion drives EAs to go above and beyond their basic job description. Whether it's staying late to finalize a project or coming in early to prepare for an important meeting, a passionate EA is always ready to put in the extra effort. This dedication is what sets them apart from the rest. 3. Communication is Key: Whether it's emails, schedules, or managing crises, clear and effective communication is everything. 4. Master Time Management: Prioritizing is crucial with so many tasks. Develop systems that help you manage time efficiently. 5. Stay Organized: Keep detailed records, maintain a tidy workspace, and find a filing system that works for you. 6. Adaptability: Every day is different. Being flexible allows you to handle unexpected situations smoothly. 7. Discretion and Confidentiality: Trust is fundamental. Handle sensitive information with care and professionalism. 8. Build Relationships: Establish strong working relationships with colleagues, clients, and vendors. Being personable and reliable is a game-changer. 9. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest tools and best practices. Always look for ways to improve. 10. Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions, as well as those of others, to enhance your working environment. 11. Passion for the Role: Love what you do. Passion drives excellence and inspires those around you. When an EA is truly passionate about their work, it transforms their job into a fulfilling and dynamic career. Passion is the cornerstone of an exceptional EA. Living and learning these principles has helped me succeed and made my journey as an EA fulfilling. Here’s to all the EAs out there striving for excellence every day!💪 #ExecutiveAssistant #CareerTips #WorkLifeBalance #supportleaders #GrowthMindset

As an Executive, your day can be filled with constant interruption and challenges. At times it is hard to say no, especially when your business relies heavily on client relations. Not delegating enough to your team is a huge contributing factor to your relentless calendar and lack of strategy time. Understanding where you truly need to be, could change this. While it may seem at times like the team around you is being difficult or overly dependent on you, the real issue may lie in their untapped potential and the need for better support systems. When your team lacks the necessary resources, processes, and communication channels, they may struggle with taking initiative, making decisions independently, and relying too heavily on your guidance. This not only leads to decreased productivity and missed opportunities but also contributes to a sense of frustration for you as a leader. This may sting, but you can't maintain a high-performing team if you're not willing to invest in developing the right support systems and processes for them. This is where we come in. As a team of highly experienced Executive Assistants, one of our many roles is to help you identify and implement the necessary tools and strategies to empower your team, enabling you to take a step back. By working with you to assess your team dynamics and establish effective communication channels, we can help create an environment where your team feels supported, motivated, and equipped to excel in their roles. If you feel you would benefit from the skills of an EA, book a call today. #executiveassistant #virtualassistant #csuitesupport

As an Executive Assistant, my role often involves juggling a wide array of tasks, from managing complex calendars to streamlining communication and ensuring that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly. While the work is demanding, it's also incredibly rewarding, as I play a key part in the success of my executives and teams. 💡 Key Skills That Help Me Succeed in My Role: Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and knowing what to delegate are essential skills that help me manage my executive's schedule effectively and ensure that no task is left behind. Problem-Solving: The ability to think on my feet and come up with solutions quickly is a must. Whether it's finding an alternative meeting space or resolving last-minute issues, no two days are ever the same. Adaptability: Flexibility is key. The pace of the executive world can change in an instant, and I have to be ready to pivot without missing a beat. Confidentiality & Discretion: Trust is at the heart of what I do. Maintaining confidentiality is a core responsibility, as executives often need someone they can rely on to handle sensitive matters with care. 🔑 Why Executive Assistants Are Key to Success: Behind every successful leader, there’s often an exceptional assistant who helps keep everything in motion. I take pride in my ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and help my executive focus on what matters most: making decisions that drive success. 🌱 A Little Advice for Aspiring Executive Assistants: Don’t be afraid to speak up: Your perspective is valuable! Whether you're managing projects, communicating with other teams, or helping to implement new ideas, your input can make a huge difference. Stay organized and proactive: A proactive mindset is crucial. Thinking ahead and staying one step ahead of your executive ensures that things run seamlessly. Communicate effectively: Clear, concise communication with both the team and the executive is essential for keeping things running smoothly. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had to support really great leaders and teams, and I look forward to continuously growing in my role. 💼💪 How about you? What skills or insights have you found most valuable in your role as an Executive Assistant? #ExecutiveAssistant #OfficeLife #BehindTheScenes #LeadershipSupport #TimeManagement #OrganizationalSkills #CareerGrowth

6 Tips for Building Trust as an Executive Assistant Being an Executive Assistant is more than just a role—it's a partnership built on trust. Here are 6 tips to help you strengthen that bond: 1️⃣ Demonstrate Reliability: Show up, deliver on time, and be dependable in every task. 2️⃣ Adapt to Their Work Style: Understand your executive's preferences and align your support to match. 3️⃣ Stay Professional: Maintain a polished demeanor in every interaction—online and offline. 4️⃣ Be Flexible in Your Support: Needs change, so stay ready to pivot and adjust. 5️⃣ Maintain Confidentiality: Trust is earned through discretion. Safeguard sensitive information. 6️⃣ Welcome Feedback: Seek opportunities to learn and grow. Constructive feedback only makes you better! Ready to elevate your EA game? Start applying these tips today and watch your professional relationships thrive! #ExecutiveAssistant #ProfessionalTips #BuildingTrust #CareerGrowth #OfficeSuccess

Confidence is a common trait our clients seek in their ideal Executive Assistant, which is why this article by The EA Institute on the link between self-awareness and confidence caught our attention! It explains how self-awareness can make you more resilient, adaptable, and capable of making informed decisions, boosting your value and effectiveness as an Executive Assistant. We highly recommend giving it a read! #recruitmentageny #officesupport #legalsupport #executiveassistant

How NOT to use your Executive Assistant ❗️ Hiring an EA can be a game-changer, but it's crucial to understand how to leverage their skills effectively and build a partnership. Here are ten things you should avoid... 👩🏻💻 Overloading them with admin tasks ↳ Don’t limit your EA to just taking minutes in meetings without ever seeking their input. Engage them in discussions; their insights can be valuable. 💚 Keeping them in reactive mode ↳ Avoid assigning only continuous reactive tasks. Balance their workload with strategic, project-based work that allows them to contribute meaningfully. ⚡️ Using them as a dumping ground ↳ Don’t dump the tasks you don’t want to handle onto them, expecting them to figure it out without context or guidance. Provide clear instructions and context to ensure they understand the task’s importance and your priorities. 💬 Excluding them from strategic conversations ↳ Don’t keep your EA out of strategic meetings. Involve them in important discussions and initiatives to leverage their organisational skills. 🤩 Overlooking their professional development ↳ Don’t neglect their growth. Invest in their development which will add more value to you and your company. 👀 Micromanaging their every move ↳ Trust your EA to handle tasks independently and empower them to take initiative. You have to let go, to let them flourish. 🗣️ Failing to provide feedback ↳ Regular, constructive feedback helps your EA grow and aligns their efforts with your expectations. 🖼️ Not sharing the bigger picture ↳ Don’t keep them in the dark about your vision and long-term goals. Sharing the bigger picture enables them to better prioritise and have an impact. 💡 Ignoring their suggestions and ideas ↳ Don’t dismiss their ideas or suggestions. Encourage them to share their thoughts and trust that they're an expert in their field. 🧠 Underutilising their problem-solving skills ↳ Don’t overlook their ability to solve problems. Involve them in troubleshooting and process improvements, they will get shit done! Is there any others you'd add? #ExecutiveAssistant #Leadership #Teamwork

🎇 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