tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post8234458448455193787..comments2024-02-05T01:36:26.908-08:00Comments on Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistant: 7 Defining Traits the Most Successful Executive Assistants Have - Part 1kmizukamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16856440614802893953noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-22579382372455967412016-02-12T13:24:45.961-08:002016-02-12T13:24:45.961-08:00Detta Miller - This is also a great list as well! ...Detta Miller - This is also a great list as well! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! The Muser at Musings of a High Level Executive Asstnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-73013450690910011682015-12-27T13:26:08.593-08:002015-12-27T13:26:08.593-08:00My list would be quite different. I would say tha...My list would be quite different. I would say that the defining traits are (in no particular order):<br />1. Extreme multi-tasking ability, especially under pressure.<br />2. The ability to exhibit grace in all circumstances.<br />3. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely at ALL levels of the organization.<br />4. The willingness to stay late to get the job done, and keep a smile on the face while doing it.<br />5. Extremely high organizational skills - able to create order out of chaos - including your bosses chaos - in a way that nobody feels threatened.<br />6. Extreme flexibility: Be able to turn on a dime from one direction to another because circumstances have changed, be willing to do things in a way you don't necessarily agree with, be able to smile in the face of rapid change.<br />7. Extreme resourcefulness: Finding solutions to immediate-need challenges that others think are impossible.<br /><br />Oh, and a bonus: 8. Forward thinking / Anticipation (Like getting your boss's itinerary rerouted when you see that a monster storm is suddenly threatening his flight plans - before others do, and everything is booked.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14476376162788343345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-85336616253311052872015-01-27T10:42:23.193-08:002015-01-27T10:42:23.193-08:00Roro - I am so glad you enjoyed this post. Thank ...Roro - I am so glad you enjoyed this post. Thank you for your kind comment. The Muser at Musings of a High Level Exec Asstnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-72522525411680747182015-01-27T06:50:01.751-08:002015-01-27T06:50:01.751-08:00This is very informative and helpful. Thank you!This is very informative and helpful. Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15339632587823239306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-71153314974270723492014-11-06T05:46:19.432-08:002014-11-06T05:46:19.432-08:00Hi, Ive been working in a big company as an EA ass...Hi, Ive been working in a big company as an EA assisting 4 busy Executives for 2 months now. So Im pretty new.<br />When I applied to this job offer, they said the EA would assist the CEO and HR Manager. Now that Ive been selected and hired, I am now assisting 4 Executives. I think it is too much, because I cannot focus on a single project, I cant dedicate enough time to the CEO or HR Manager to help them better. I assist the CEO, CFO, HR Manager and Purchasing Manager. But I feel like a purchasing assistant will be more appropriate to assist the purchasing manager. I have to draft minute reports, help with the many trips of the CEO, help with recruitment, financial reports... and take orders in SAP. I dont mind assisting 3 Executives. But 4 to me is a lot. Add to that the office team!<br />I was thinking of sending an email to the HR manager to meet with him and explain my feelings to him.<br />Am I right to complain or should I just keep my mouth shut?<br />Any help, comment, advice would be much appreciated.<br />Thanks in advance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-28451160803981515302014-10-28T05:41:52.132-07:002014-10-28T05:41:52.132-07:00Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you wrot...Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you wrote in so other readers can see another perspective besides mine. I agree; you bring up excellent points that it is a partnership and there is collaboration. I did not mean to imply there was not, nor that one couldn't ask any questions. My main point was not to ask why one had to do a task or for whom, but first and foremost take care of tasks before tackling overhauling systems, processes, and wanting to change everything. In general, I admit, if one is already a C-level executive assistant, my blog isn't all that insightful or revelatory as it means you are already well into your EA career and have proven yourself and there is such a solid, strong foundation in a partnership or collaboration setting. I had previously written 3 posts on 10 tips to be an executive assistant so I wanted to change direction. I also write a column at jobstr.com under Hollywood Executive Assistant. Between the two, my target audience is admin assistants wanting to be executive assistants, EAs to VPs or higher who are trying to make that jump to a President, CEO, or Chairman's office. I'm hoping my posts will bridge that gap of wanting to excel, but not knowing how or where to start because one is just entering the professional world. I've also wanted to explore what no one talks about or teaches you unless you've been groomed the same way right out of college under various CEOs, which was my experience. My grooming in Fortune 100 offices were exactly the same for the fundamentals in soft skills and hard skills. This year, and in part 2 of my post, I was moving more toward "things to think about/business acumen" and not just "things to do." I've been promoted out of the EA role, but continue to work directly for C-level executives at Fortune-ranked companies. So at over 100 posts, I know at some point I will start covering how to transition up the corporate ladder and adapting to those changes, though my main loyalty is to anyone starting out, fresh out of school, or transitioning. If you have any other topics to suggest, I'd love to hear them!<br />The Muser at Musings of a High Level Exec Asstnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-40256272593728859682014-10-28T04:48:54.512-07:002014-10-28T04:48:54.512-07:00I dont completely agree with everything. Todays E...I dont completely agree with everything. Todays EA DOES ask questions. She is not just a taker-of-orders- and instructions, but a strategic partner together with her manager and his management team. Yes, she is proactive, intuitive, organised and all those wonderful things, but above all she is in partnership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-22739557363062492382014-03-04T14:10:35.934-08:002014-03-04T14:10:35.934-08:00Anon - Thank you so much for the kudos! Glad that...Anon - Thank you so much for the kudos! Glad that you love my blog! Don't forget to find my column at jobstr.com under Hollywood Executive Assistant. The Muser at Musings of a High Level Exec Asst.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-25756691733298659172014-03-04T09:24:38.019-08:002014-03-04T09:24:38.019-08:00omg!!! Amazing advice soo helpful! so timeless! ju...omg!!! Amazing advice soo helpful! so timeless! just what I needed to better myself on this new role... Thank You So Much!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-26412574448069393712013-09-11T14:14:00.007-07:002013-09-11T14:14:00.007-07:00Dear S. Davis-Harris,
You are welcome! Thank you...Dear S. Davis-Harris,<br /><br />You are welcome! Thank you for the comment! So glad you liked this post and it is helpful to you even if you are a veteran! I hope you also visit my other column too. <br /><br />http://jobstr.com/threads/show/4303-hollywood-executive-assistantThe Muser at Musings of a High Level Executive Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-57881243425977617552013-09-11T14:07:28.750-07:002013-09-11T14:07:28.750-07:00I'm just running across your posts. I've ...I'm just running across your posts. I've been an EA for about 15 years. But this is really helpful... Even to an old dog like me. Thanks a bunch!S. Davis-Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07228787533923860673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-79766456138225919122013-03-14T17:21:48.209-07:002013-03-14T17:21:48.209-07:00Glad you liked my post! :) Thank you for reading...Glad you liked my post! :) Thank you for reading! The Muser at Musing of a High Level Executive Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-32962659773627294202013-03-14T13:54:56.249-07:002013-03-14T13:54:56.249-07:00Great insight. Thanks for posting.Great insight. Thanks for posting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-33910908202822364722013-02-10T21:51:27.638-08:002013-02-10T21:51:27.638-08:00Barbara/George - So glad you liked my post! Thank...Barbara/George - So glad you liked my post! Thank you for being a reader! The Muser at Musings of a High Level Executive Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-28343923184346622372013-02-09T19:16:13.712-08:002013-02-09T19:16:13.712-08:00A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my we...A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my website. You've obviously spent a lot of time on this. Well done!<br /><br /><a href="http://about.me/georgemarchelos" rel="nofollow">George Marchelos</a>Barbara Leehttp://about.me/georgemarchelosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-23645938940296915362013-02-03T15:05:09.438-08:002013-02-03T15:05:09.438-08:00Dear Anonymous - Thank you so much for the comment...Dear Anonymous - Thank you so much for the comment. I am so happy my advice was spot on and resonated with your experience too. I agree, many don't understand the intricacies of the job, but when others do, it's very fulfilling and rewarding work. kmizukamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16856440614802893953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-72839645638536238172013-02-02T20:14:00.462-08:002013-02-02T20:14:00.462-08:00Best blog ever You get it, which helps me relate...Best blog ever You get it, which helps me relate This is a huge job and people minimize it, but when your boss knows how important you are to not only his success, but the business. It makes it worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-56224593168575485382013-01-09T16:58:38.808-08:002013-01-09T16:58:38.808-08:00Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you wrot...Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you wrote in so other readers can see another perspective besides mine. I agree, not all EA jobs function in the way I described in Part 1. You bring up excellent points - tangible skills, getting the job done, and what doors open once trust is established and one's boss sees the talent in an assistant. As you mention, there is a partnership and it leads to being the honorary Chief of Staff and Ambassador with bigger and better job duties. I admit, if one is already a C-level executive assistant, my blog isn't all that insightful or revelatory. I had previously written 3 posts on 10 tips to be an executive assistant so I wanted to change direction. I also write a column at jobstr.com under Hollywood Executive Assistant. Between the two, my target audience is admin assistants wanting to be executive assistants, EAs to VPs or higher who are trying to make that jump to a President, CEO, or Chairman's office. I'm hoping my posts will bridge that gap of wanting to excel, but not knowing how or where to start because one is just entering the professional world. I've also wanted to explore what no one talks about or teaches you unless you've been groomed the same way right out of college under various CEOs, which was my experience. My grooming in Fortune 100 offices were exactly the same for the fundamentals in soft skills and hard skills. This year, and in part 2 of my post, I was moving more toward "things to think about/business acumen" and not just "things to do." I've been promoted out of the EA role, but continue to work directly for C-level executives at Fortune-ranked companies. So at over 100 posts, I know at some point I will start covering how to transition up the corporate ladder and adapting to those changes, though my main loyalty is to anyone starting out, fresh out of school, or transitioning. If you have any other topics to suggest, I'd love to hear them! The Muser at Musings of a High-Level Executive Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-63214852275498966692013-01-09T08:40:17.132-08:002013-01-09T08:40:17.132-08:00I just wanted to comment because not all EA jobs f...I just wanted to comment because not all EA jobs function in the way described in this article. In fact one of the unique aspects of being an EA is that it can be a different job based on the organization you work for. Points 1-6 seem to me to be the same thing--the core message is know your place in the hierarchy. While I agree it's important to work within the constraints of the chain of command--I certainly don't believe this is the most important aspect of being an EA. I've worked in many environments where the EA is thought of as a partner to their executive and in some cases an EA has the authority to speak on behalf of their executive. Many EA's function not just as "I do what I'm told to do" but more "I do what it takes to get the job done". I believe an article such as this would benefit from focusing on tangible skills that successful EA's have such as knowing your executive, communication skills, technology, critical thinking, etc. I definitely disagree with number 7. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean that it has to continue to be done that way. I believe an EA has a responsibility to assist their executive and the company in doing things more efficiently when possible. Many EA's even serve in a consultant capacity which means that when a problem is identified within the department or organization, the EA takes the time to explore options for solutions by doing the research, summarizing findings in a report and making recommendations to their executive who then can decide whether or not and when to implement any changes. I think this is especially true of EA's at the C-Suite level. The more your executive trusts your judgement and abilities, the more you can help them by taking things off their plate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-65277487658444693692012-12-26T22:06:04.409-08:002012-12-26T22:06:04.409-08:00Annamarie - Thank you for reading! I will be posti...Annamarie - Thank you for reading! I will be posting a new piece in a day or two! :)The Muser at Musings of a High Level Executive Assistantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578358125212393436.post-90236966699249835542012-12-26T20:24:01.615-08:002012-12-26T20:24:01.615-08:00This is really great and informative post!This is really great and informative post!Annamarie Simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07726700658529540123noreply@blogger.com