Assistants, it is time for you to own your power!

Being able to step into our own power means a lot of different things. From advocating for yourself and others, asking for help when you need it to speaking up and sharing your opinions and ideas. A wonderful starting point to stepping into your power is to recognise the magic you bring to your work, and how unique the Assistant skill set really is! Authentic power does not come from an external source or an important title. True personal power is generated from within.

Resourceful multitaskers. Energetic jacks-of-all-trades. Underrated game-changers, in a nutshell. In 2020, an excellent PA is a crucial and strategic addition to the success of a company in ways that go far beyond freeing up the time of their CEO and directors. 

Courses and education are so beneficial, but they’re not always offered up by companies but organisations still expect you to step up, now more that ever and deliver in this key role: whether you’re looking to start a career as an assistant or you have already been working as one but fear asking for a rise, we recommend focussing on developing these key skills for PAs.

9 soft & hard key skills for PAs: you are already the office game-changer!

Before you carry on grab a notebook, let this be your Achievement Assistant journal. I promise that starting to write down what you are delivering now and in the past for your Execs and organisations will truly help you to step up fully into your power. Which will as a bonus improve confidence, self-esteem and your ability to make more impact!

The top skills for a PA are a broad mixture of soft and hard abilities that enable them to benefit not only the person they’re assisting but their office and the entire company, too. Consider adding them to your CV and, during interviews, be prepared to bring concrete examples of when and how you’ve used them before. 

Organisational skills

A PA’s workweek—or even just an average day!—is dynamic and unpredictable, including lots of deadlines, events and meetings to keep track of on top of daily tasks. Reflect on where your organisational skills have truly delivered impact for your business - note them down in your PA journal and see how you can bring this impact to life on your CV. Often Assistants assume their organisational skills are an 'obvious' skill. Far from it! You are an expert at it, a leader in the organisation at delivery and it is a skill so many people lack. Get prepared to sing about how you organisation skills have always been key to being a step ahead of the game and ensuring that everything flows smoothly.

Multitasking

Do you need a visual representation of the mind of a skilled PA? Picture lots of opened tabs on your browser at the same time... except that he/she knows exactly what is going on in every single one of them. From phone calls to emails to deadlines, it’s vital for PAs to be able to handle different projects at the same time. Reflect on how your ability has made all the difference to those you have supported, get comfortable with articulating it. Even better, create a name for the system you use and an easy way to describe your process for multitasking - I promise is will impress!

Diary management

Thanks to their exceptional organisational and multitasking skills, PAs are impeccable at arranging, booking and managing different events and meetings for their Exec's, making sure that they’re always aware of their ever-changing schedule, briefed, equipped with the research, itinerary and information that goes with all the appointments. Let alone the relationship management skills that are required to ensure those key meetings are in the diaries of all the stakeholders needed! When was the last time you looked at the tools and resources you use for managing these ever-changing diaries? When was the last time you really reflected on the range of skills it takes to deliver in this area?

Communication skills

Since one of the core duties of a PA is to improve someone else’s productivity, misunderstandings can lead to the opposite result. Faultless written and oral communication skills translate into clear instructions from both sides, as well as with other colleagues and external stakeholders. Take some time out to look out examples of your communication skills and where they have had an impact on an organisation. Yes, write them down, then get those examples onto your CV!

Flexibility

Because of the very nature of their job, PAs are able to adapt to different situations and last-minute changes promptly, whilst also squeezing all of their other usual tasks into their busy schedules. This is an extraordinary superpower! Ask yourself what systems you have put in place to handle change? What procedures and policy? How have you helped colleagues handle change? Get it all down in the journal.

Trustworthiness

PAs deal with tons of confidential information because of their involvement with pivotal company decisions and board members. You need to be able to articulate how you are discrete, inspire confidence, and show tactfulness when dealing with delicate matters.Need some help? Ask previous bosses and colleagues about the impact you made for them.

Tech skills

As we hurtle to the new world where AI dominates, you are way ahead of the pack! You are used to showing a smooth understanding of computers, software packages, apps and tech in general. Articulating your use is key to proving that you can manage complex administrative duties / projects / budgets and strategy. What about going one step further? A basic course in coding or other IT packages will do wonders for your CV (and your future!)

People skills

Effective interaction skills are a must! Not only should PAs be a strategic partner to work with for their bosses: they are the human bridge across different levels of the company, and they can help create valuable connections during external meetings or events. You need to get comfortable with examples of how you have brought people to work effectively in a team together. In my experience often Assistants take their people skills for granted, not recognising just how much impact they make on the organisations they serve.

Initiative

As we mentioned before, a PA is no longer the traditional secretary to whom CEOs delegate their administrative tasks: you are a proactive decision-maker who uses her own initiative to implement more effective strategies, come up with ideas, and call the shots when needed. Don’t be afraid to prove it, we need you to get clear on what you deliver, have great examples of these skills and most importantly use your voice to be proud of what you do for organisations globally. You are the engine room of a business and just like a house of cards business soon collapse without you!

In today’s competitive industry, an outstanding assistant knows how to articulate and grab the initiative to use these key skills to improve the day-to-day running of the office as well as the long-term goals of a company. That’s how you and our profession will continue to go places!

If you would like like to explore a CPD certified qualification for Assistants that is progressive, interactive and fun! Plus where the bonus of being welcomed into a tribe of equally progressive EA's is part of the package. Come and find our Academy Exec PA 360 course:

https://www.candcacademy.com/courses/exec-pa-360