Let Your Voice Be Heard: Executive Assistant Visibility

It’s true that the role of the executive assistant is one of the most invisible roles in an organization.

Changing Perceptions

Whether it’s designed that way or not, I believe it’s time for us to change the perception and the stigma that this role has carried for years. New times call for new measures. It’s one thing that the role brings a lot of value to an Executive, especially for a high-functioning leader who otherwise cannot spend his/her time, energy, and focus on higher priorities. We can’t have the leader spending time managing their calendar, canceling meetings, booking travel, and getting prepared for a speaking engagement or presentation, etc., among the million other things that take up the Executive’s day-to-day schedule.

In truth, we need to come together as a community of EAs Globally and represent ourselves. It is essential that we let our voices be heard. We definitely have a long way to go when it comes to educating Executives, Human Resources personnel, and organizations in regards to the importance and value asset an EA brings to the table.

Becoming Visible

So how do we become visible in a meaningful way without disrupting an essential part of our jobs? Are we making sure we are visible in the right moment, for the right reasons, and with the right people in mind?

 

• Attend meetings related to your department or Management meetings when you can. If you were not asked to join, offer to join. Take notes of action items to keep a pulse on operational issues, updates or changes, etc.. These are ways to increase your knowledge of what is happening in your environment in order to support the Executive effectively. However, I would not spend all my time writing notes. I would make sure to listen in and pay attention to reading the room as well.

 

• Communicate to your Executive if you’d like to take on a project that you are interested in. Executives are moving at a fast speed and may offload just about anything to you in order to free up their plates to focus on high priorities. However, be mindful to make sure when an Executive adds more to your plate, you are having conversations about what to take off, what can wait, and what is still a strategic priority. While they are trying to tackle other challenges, it’s best to share with them from time to time what you’ve got on your plate.

 

• With your colleagues, ensure that you are sending follow-up notes on action items. If possible, make a suggestion and direct inquiries away from your Executive to his/her direct reports. Establish relationships as an Executive Assistant with different departments such as Finance, IT, Office Services, or Catering & Events department, for example, to be able to problem-solve and stop the little hiccups from making their way to the Executive.

 

• Do a daily check-in with yourself and your peers if possible. To keep top of mind, think about the successes you or your team had today. What struggles have you had? How did you overcome them? Where are you at with your mindset at the end of the day? Who is your go-to person or resource? Who is your replacement if needed? You can always add more questions to your list.
  

In the end, there are many ways to show your visibility in your department. However, the point is to show interest, curiosity, initiative, and, lastly, just do it. No one will know your contributions, results, and value more than yourself. Be an advocate for yourself and the Executive Assistant community.