Every person you support is different. There is no cookie-cutter approach when working as an assistant. In fact, it is one of the tougher aspects of the role – understanding the style of person/people you are working with! Blindly assuming they are the same as the last person causes inefficiencies and frustrations for both parties as well as missed opportunities! We have three pieces of advice: get to know your executive, work on self-awareness, and adjust. What works for you and your boss now, might not in 6 months. Look at our recent times with the pandemic- all working styles and patterns were thrown in the air! It is a constant work in progress!

Know your executive

Every person you work or engage will have a slightly (or in some cases, very!) different style. In the beginning, take time to observe the way your executive operates. Are they an early riser, do they work later in the evening, when do they prefer meetings to take place, how much preparation do they need, what might cause stress and pressure etc. Do they like lots of information or just the bare basics? Ask how they would like things done. Not all executives will know how to answer your question. So, to fill in the blanks, keep your eyes and ears open, picking up on the nuances, markers, and indicators. It is amazing what you can ‘see’ when present and keenly observing.

Do not forget, when supporting someone, it’s often more than just the business side of things. Consider the whole picture. For example, do they like to block out time for the gym (important when booking travel or early morning meetings), do they do a school pick up or prefer to be home in time for dinner with the family? Make sure to look at all elements of their life to provide the best support. Understanding a working style takes time, possibly 12 months, to go through all the cycles, pressure points and stressors.

For the basics though, you will soon gauge the best time to schedule catchups, communication modes (i.e., email, text, handwritten notes etc), how much information is ideal (some bosses require every detail, others are happy for you to get on with it). Be receptive and learn from every interaction.

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is critical for everyone’s daily life. As an assistant though, it is a must have, can’t leave home without it! Self-awareness provides insight to the impact you have on others. This can be through your actions and your communication. Self-awareness gives you a better understanding of how you are being perceived and the messages you might be sending, consciously or not. When you are representing your executive, it is business imperative. Not just for stakeholders and other executives, but the team and office morale. It all starts at the top and you are the important conduit from your executive to the business. You also need to be aware of the perception you are giving to your boss. Your tone, expression, even how quickly you respond, all sends a message. What is the perception you want your boss to have of you? Whatever this is, be cognisant of the actions and behaviour’s that carry this perception and those that don’t.

Read the signs and signals. Be open to feedback, direct or indirectly received. Having a greater understanding of yourself will assist in moderating how you in turn work in with your executive.

Adjust

When we say adjust, we don’t mean change who you are! We are talking about adjusting working styles. A successful EA and executive partnership are anchored on syncing and synergies, and it sits with you to make this work. Most managers are open to new processes, ideas, and ways of working, especially if it makes them more efficient and adds value. Foremost, it must be about what works for your boss and the business. Observe first for a good period before suggesting any changes, no matter how big or small.

This is a complex subject, especially if you are supporting multiple people. The key is to be aware, open to ideas and new ways of working, ask for feedback and be willing to adapt, as necessary.

Don’t forget to give it time – building trust, learning working styles and understanding your manager and colleagues doesn’t happen instantly!

Love Your Nature!

Explore a kaleidoscope of colour, plants and passion with Love Your Nature! Step inside the wonderfully diverse world of plant-love in our new immersive horticultural exhibition.

Plant-love has been happening since the dawn of time. Over eons, they’ve been reproducing with themselves, with other plants… and with the help of water, wind, fungi, insects, and other animals. This year’s exhibition celebrates all kinds of plant-love. From prehistoric plants that use clones, spores and seeds to reproduce, to flowering plants that employ colours, shapes and scents to attract animals, and humans matchmaking for bigger fruit, brighter flowers and to protect wild plants for the future.

Curated by the horticultural team at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Love Your Nature has over 20,000 plants on display and one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere.