No executive has ever said to me, “You are now ready to be a strategic partner.” The truth is that strategic work is rarely assigned to Assistants. It is not something handed over with a ribbon and a title. If you want it, you often have to create it. That realization shaped my journey. I […]
At work and in life, motivation matters. For some, it comes from a paycheck, a to-do list, deadlines, or the expectations of others. For others, it comes from something deeper: a sense of purpose, a mission, or a vision. The first type of motivation works in the short term but is rarely sustainable. Burnout, dissatisfaction, […]
Working with a new executive is always a process. Whether you are brand new or have decades of experience, building a strong partnership takes time, patience, and structure. Bruce Tuckman’s Model of Team Development is a useful guide. The first stage is Forming, where both sides are polite and focused on learning systems. Then comes […]
When planning a business event, the choice of catering style does more than satisfy hunger. It sets the tone for networking, influences the atmosphere, and shapes how attendees experience the event. The right service style can encourage meaningful conversations, create a sense of community, and leave guests with lasting memories. For Assistants tasked with event […]
Administrative professionals understand better than most that organization is not simply about tidiness. It is about creating a focused environment that allows executives and their teams to perform at their best. In today’s fast-paced business world, where demands are constant and attention is fragmented, organization is both a necessity and a leadership tool. A well-structured […]
Burnout is not just about exhaustion. It is about the gradual erosion of your energy, resilience, and confidence until you reach a point where you can no longer function. For executive support professionals, who often pride themselves on being able to “handle it all,” the risks are especially high. To illustrate, let me share the […]
We all complain sometimes. It feels good to vent and it is easy to bond with others over shared frustrations. I complain about my husband, and I love him dearly, so it is natural to sometimes feel the urge to complain about people we work with, especially executives we spend long hours supporting. The problem […]
Your CV is more than a document. It is your professional story. Done well, it showcases your skills, reflects your personality, and opens the door to that next opportunity. For Business Support Professionals, every detail signals how you operate at the highest level, from how you summarize your career to how you spotlight achievements. With […]
At a recent conference in Ireland, I was asked a simple but powerful question: “What’s the most important skill you’ve developed on your journey to becoming a better public speaker?” It would have been easy to point to stagecraft, body language, eye contact, or the art of landing a punchline. But my answer surprised both […]
What if calm wasn’t a reaction, but a choice? “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying,” writes Timber Hawkeye, author of Buddhist Boot Camp. “What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” Simple words, but not always simple to practice. Calm isn’t about pretending nothing is wrong or detaching from reality. […]