8 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand and Position Yourself as a Thought Leader
This article first appeared in Executive Support Magazine, a global training publication and a must-read for any administrative professional. Visit the website at https://www.executivesupportmagazine.com/ to find out more. Love it or hate it, the conversation around building a personal brand is not going away anytime soon. In fact, creating and managing your personal brand is only going […]
The Power of Prosocial Skills for Leaders & Force Multipliers
In his book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, organizational psychologist and New York Times Bestselling author, Adam Grant, talks about the importance of prosocial skills in the workplace. Grant writes, “Prosocial skills are the glue that transforms groups into teams.” Grant even goes on to assert that we should choose leaders with […]
Choose Courage Over Confidence For Long-Term Success
You know what we don’t talk about enough in business? Courage. One of the biggest myths about successful individuals is that they are inherently confident. Que all the imagery in magazines, on tv, and online of confident people leading teams, commanding crowds, breaking down doors, power posing on rooftops, interviewing world leaders, captivating audiences of […]
What is a Founder’s Associate?
PLEASE NOTE: This is an evolving topic, as the role appears to have only gained relevance quite recently. This post will be updated as more information about this position becomes available. For some context, as of the writing of this post, there were 1,800 results for Founders Associate on LinkedIn, compared to 543,000 for Chief […]
What’s Next? Exploring the Executive Assistant Career Path
Do you love the Executive Assistant role, but feel like you are hitting a ceiling in your growth, responsibilities, or compensation? Are you thinking about what might come after your current job? Are you unsure how to continue to grow your Executive Assistant career? Don’t get me wrong, the executive assistant role is a dynamic, interesting, impactful, and […]
Emerging Chief of Staff Career Trends
As of the publication of this blog, there were 697 Chief of Staff jobs listed on Indeed.com. For context, there were 1,593 COO jobs posted and 427 for CEO. Of those almost 700 Chief of Staff job postings, the scope of work, leadership responsibilities, projects, and even the team with which these Chiefs of Staff […]
I Am Not Your Work Wife & Our Company is Not a Family
Work and family. Family and work. Work families. Families are work. You’ve probably heard the terms “work wife” or “work spouse” bandied about. Maybe you think of your company as a family, or maybe you keep the two strictly separate in your mind. Inevitably the lines can get a bit blurry in this ever-connected, work-life […]
Using “First Principles Thinking” to Solve Complex Problems
“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” – Albert Einstein Think you know the best way to move your company forward? Think again. Or rather, think first with “first principles thinking” to solve your business’s most complex problems, bring […]
How to Transition from Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff
I’m quite vocal about my years as an Executive Assistant and now Chief of Staff, and therefore I often get asked how to transition from one position to the other. I, in turn, always answer that question with a question: “Why? Why do you want to move from an Executive Assistant to a Chief of […]
Is It Time to Move On From Your Job?
In a November 2023 Gallup Poll on employee engagement, trends in the US showed that only 33% of employees are actively engaged in their jobs. Why does this matter? According to the study, employees who are engaged generally have a better overall well-being, less absences, and higher levels of productivity. On the flip side, it […]
Critical and Strategic Thinking for Force Multipliers
Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff can make an even bigger impact on their leaders and organization when they constantly level up their thinking skills. Learning to make decisions, anticipate issues, solve problems, communicate effectively, ask powerful questions, and think critically and strategically are all important parts of being a great Force Multiplier and strategic […]
Top 3 Challenges Executive Assistants Face
If a job was meant to be easy, it wouldn’t be called “work.” Everyone faces challenges of varying degrees in their career, and Executive Assistants (EAs) are certainly not without their fair share of struggles! Most EAs face managing high workloads and demands, balancing priorities, maintaining confidentiality, and having seamlessly effective and responsive interpersonal communication. […]
What’s the Difference Between an Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff?
Several years ago, when I was an Executive Assistant (EA), I became obsessed with all things EA. I read books and articles, followed top EAs, listened to podcasts, and attended EA conferences. I studied the profession and implemented what I learned into my career. As Chief of Staff (COS), I did the same. While less […]
How to Take the Reins From a Seasoned Force Multiplier
Starting a new job is always intimidating. But starting a job where the outgoing Force Multiplier (in my case Hallie Warner, former Chief of Staff to Adam Hergenrother) has been working alongside the CEO for over a decade is downright scary! Hi! My name is Jenna Stewart. I’m the new kid on the block here […]
13 Books Every Executive Assistant Should Read
In The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, Gary Keller emphasizes the importance of the assistant role. In fact, he goes so far as to discuss how individuals in this position can grow and evolve with the leader and earn the right to move into an Assistant Executive position. In order to become a true Force Multiplier, […]
What Principles Do You Live By in Business and Life?
When working with coaching and consulting clients, particularly Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff, I like to start off with finding out if they are clear on the values and goals of their company and their Executive. This is the starting point for much of our discussions and growth. Why? Because without these North Stars […]
How to Start Difficult Conversations with Your Boss or Co-Workers
The first sixty seconds of a difficult conversation are often the hardest. What do you say? Should you dive right in? Start with some small talk? Hit them with a compliment first, then the tough issue, then another compliment? (Hint: Don’t do that!) The good news is, Susan Scott has a fantastic framework from Fierce […]
How to Have Fierce Conversations with Your Boss and Co-Workers
One of the books we recommend most often to Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff is Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time, by Susan Scott. Truly, it is a book that any leader who wants to achieve results through others should read. So, what is a fierce […]
15+ Apps to Enhance the Executive Assistant & Chief of Staff Experience
While being an Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, or other Force Multiplier isn’t necessarily a 24/7 job for all of us (though it certainly can be!), it does require a lot of time, commitment, and energy to do it and do it well, while not burning out. This is where technology can play a huge […]
How to Become a Chief of Staff
“How do I start a career as a Chief of Staff?” “What do I need to study to make a career as a Chief of Staff?” “Now that you have been Chief of Staff for a while, are there things that you wished your EA self had known?” “Are there learnings/courses/development that had you could […]
5 Things to Consider Before Starting a Career as an Executive Assistant
First, let’s get this out of the way—being an Executive Assistant is not a stepping stone to another career opportunity. It is a dynamic, interesting, impactful, and fulfilling career in its own right. While many people, myself included, kind of fall unintentionally into the role of Executive Assistant, most stay by choice. There are few […]
Why You Need White Space During the Work Week (Yes, Force Multipliers, Too!)
When we look at advertising pieces or interior design, our eyes are typically drawn to the ads or spaces that have a lot of “white space”, or open space, on the page or in the room. The presence of fewer words, throw pillows, or images forces the mind to focus on what’s important and increases […]
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication in the C-Suite
Effective communication sets the great leaders and Force Multipliers apart from the average. Part of effective communication is being strategic about which forms of communication you use—specifically synchronous versus asynchronous communication. The Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication Synchronous Communication Synchronous communication is scheduled, real-time interactions, usually done by phone, video conference calls, or in-person. […]
Should an Executive Assistant Be Part of the Leadership Team?
Listen to our podcast episode about this topic here: I find it interesting that on most organizational charts, the Executive Assistant and/or Chief of Staff are always hanging out on the side by themselves. They don’t necessarily have any direct reports, nor are they a part of any one business function (that is, except for […]