Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 7 in /homepages/23/d339537987/htdocs/ec/wp-content/themes/p2/inc/mentions.php on line 77
Working with people has its pros and cons. When you work with others you are able to bounce around ideas, collaborate, get feedback, and share knowledge. However, when you work with difficult people, you may experience resistance. In the past, we’ve touched on how to deal with difficult people but let’s face it, dealing with…
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 7 in /homepages/23/d339537987/htdocs/ec/wp-content/themes/p2/inc/mentions.php on line 77
A natural reaction to change is fear of the unknown. Many assistants would much rather stay in their comfort zones where they feel safe and secure. However, change is a must if we want to grow in our careers, in our relationships, and as a person. While the thought of it may seem challenging, change…
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 7 in /homepages/23/d339537987/htdocs/ec/wp-content/themes/p2/inc/mentions.php on line 77
I
have grown to love speaking on and teaching assistants about emotional
intelligence. This definitely is a skill every assistant needs to know. This is
a skill you can use every single day!
In
our World Class Assistant course, we cover this topic and participants work on
real work world case studies. They are scenarios that assistants can relate to.
I reference Daniel Goleman for my classes and want to share this with you.
Please quickly evaluate your level of emotional intelligence in each of the
four dimensions.
Daniel
Goleman, author of Working with Emotional Intelligence says, “Emotional
intelligence is the ability to sense, understand, and effectively apply the
power and acumen of emotions as a source of human energy, information,
connection, and influence.
Daniel also says:
False:
The common view is that emotions are things that happen to us.
Emotions don’t belong in business.
True:
Emotions are an inner source of energy, influence, and information.
They are inherently neither good nor bad. It is what we do with emotions that make the difference.
The 4 Dimensions:
#1: Self-Awareness (I know me.)
Recognize how your feelings affect your performance.
You are open to candid feedback.
#2: Self-Management (I manage me.)
Self-control.
Admit mistakes.
#3: Social Awareness (I try to know you.0
Pay attention to emotional cues.
Adapt communication style to compliment others.
#4: Relationship Management (I attempt to facilitate situations for a positive outcome.0
Step forward as needed, regardless of your position.
Model the change you expect from others.
One of our top trainers, Julie Reed, has been teaching several of our World Class Assistant™ certification/designation courses. When I asked Julie, what were her favorite lessons from emotional intelligence, she shared the following:
I manage me.
I am in charge of my attitude.
I choose to not react.
I am resilient; I practice positive self-esteem, and I chose to ignore the haters.
I am
confident in my skills and aware of my weaknesses.
I stay true
to my North Star.
I manage me – I hold myself accountable and, I mitigate risks to my reputation and build my credibility equity. This, in turn, has gotten me invited to the table, as an active participant, confidant, and leader.
Which
dimensions of emotional intelligence do you need to work on? Why not start
today?
Joan
Burge
What it means to be a World
Class Assistant™:
You’re a career-minded administrative professional looking to build powerful
partnerships with your executive(s) and organization.
You’re a power player who wants to reap more rewards from your efforts
– and you’re not afraid to do what it takes to get there.
You’re committed to the administrative profession as well as your
career growth and you’re eager to demonstrate this.
You’re a high-performing individual who wants to succeed both in your
professional and personal life.
You’re ready to have the kind of breakthrough experience that takes you
off the sidelines and puts you right in the middle of the game.
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 7 in /homepages/23/d339537987/htdocs/ec/wp-content/themes/p2/inc/mentions.php on line 77
An important component to self-management
versus stress-management is to set healthy boundaries in the workplace. In this
article what kind of boundaries and with whom.
As administrative assistants and executive
assistants, you can often feel like setting boundaries might get you fired or
your leader will think you are not a team player. Some people think when I’m
talking about setting boundaries, it has to do with sexual harassment in the
workplace.
Boundaries can be set any time, any place, on
anything, and with any person. I’ll give you a perfect example. I was at McCarran
Airport in Las Vegas waiting in the security line and was in line to pass my
carry on through the screening process. (Keep in mind; I travel quite
frequently for business, so I know what I’m doing.) I was quickly placing my
laptop in the bin, folding my raincoat up, taking off my shoes, and putting my
purse on the conveyer when all of a sudden, this young woman who had been in
line behind me, stepped right in front of me with 2 suitcases and placed them
on the conveyer. She still needed to take off her shoes – and she didn’t know
she was supposed to take off her jacket.
You are probably thinking, “So what?” So what?
It was rude that she thought she could just jump in front of me especially when
she wasn’t ready. It was not as if she said, “May I go ahead of you?” I nicely
told her that she couldn’t cut in front of me. Of course, she looked at me in
shock and made a few comments. (I will spare the details of our back and forth
dialogue.) She finally took her items and moved behind me and told me to have a
nice day.
A boundary in the office for an administrative
assistant can be as simple as addressing a coworker or manager who constantly
steps into your workspace and takes your desk supplies without asking and
doesn’t return them. If that bothers
you, say something.
Another boundary you might need to set is your accessibility after hours to your leader as far as emails go. This is becoming problematic for assistants all over the world. As I travel and talk to hundreds of administrative office professionals ranging from administrators to executive assistants, I’m hearing them say they are spending too much of their personal time (evenings or weekends) managing and/or responding to emails from their leader. One administrative assistant said that her manager did not expect her to check business emails or take action on non-work hours. But she wanted to get a jump on things or was curious as to what was going on or wanted to read emails on Sunday night to be prepared for Monday morning. The problem is… she started responding to her leader’s emails and taking action steps if required. Today, she is frustrated because she spends 50% of her weekend working. I told her, “You created the monster.” It wasn’t required of her and while she thought nothing of it at first, it snowballed and now she will have to say something to her leader.
First, do not create situations that
you will later regret.
Second, people will act as we allow
them to. If you don’t say something when something isn’t right, then the person
assumes it is okay.
Third, professionally communicate when
setting boundaries yet be firm.
Healthy boundaries are good for you and those
you work with. It teaches them how to
work with you in a way that stimulates win-win situations. You enjoy your work
environment and are more enjoyable to work with. You are confident, peaceful,
in control (not walked over), respected, like a peer or business partner and
viewed as a leader.
Consider what types of boundaries you might need to implement this week.
Learning Highlights You will learn:
How to evaluate your current communication and boundary-setting style so you can build on your strengths and address areas for improvement.
Why assertiveness in the workplace matters, especially for assistants, how it benefits you and what it really means. (Hint: It is often totally misunderstood!)
How to recognize and minimize the risk involved so your message is received and your professional image remains intact.
How to appropriately set limits, voice your ideas and opinions, and articulate your needs using thoughtful, diplomatic communication techniques.
7 essential action steps for becoming a more assertive assistant. (You will hear examples and learn specific language to use in common challenging workplace situations.)
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 7 in /homepages/23/d339537987/htdocs/ec/wp-content/themes/p2/inc/mentions.php on line 77
Getting things done in the workplace is one of my favorite topics to speak on and write about. I have been passionate about this topic for 28 years. Administrative assistants continue to struggle with how to keep up with all the demands placed upon them in a time-compressed world and yet maintain quality.
I will share with you some of my favorite tips. And you can get more tips on this subject by going to Office Dynamics YouTube Channel.
Coping with Conflicting Priorities
Ask for specific deadlines. Do not accept the “a.s.a.p.” answer. How many times do you ask a manager or someone who is giving you a task, “How soon do you need this?” The typical response is “as soon as possible.” Change your question and you will get a different response. Instead ask the person, “By when is the latest I can get this to you?”
Early in the day, clarify with your manager(s) what are the most important priorities. I highly recommend doing this first thing in the morning as what you thought was a priority at 5:00 pm the day before, could have totally changed because your manager (like many others) is working at night and early morning. Always clarify the top 3 priorities for the day.
When struggling with which “A” priority to do first, ask yourself, “What is the impact of not getting this done today?”
Organizing Your Workspace
An
organized workspace reduces stress, gives the impression to others that you are
on top of things, and saves you time.
Remember
your workspace is a part of your professional image.
Your
workspace is not storage space.
Place
the most frequently used items closest to you.
Use
desk trays to keep paper items and folders neatly organized.
Your
inside drawers matter too.
Neutralize Information Overload
We are
exposed to a tremendous amount of information in a day.
Don’t
read everything that comes your way. Learn to scan information and determine
which items really need attention.
Assess
your information sources. Make sure the source of information is credible.
Use
your highlighter to mark important information, deadline dates, or aha
information. (electronic or hard copy)
Tips to be Productive
Standardize your processes.
When given a project or task, try to get all the information at once. Many times, your manager just gives you bits of information. Be assertive and ask for more details or get the bigger picture to reduce back and forth time or going off on the wrong tangent.
Establish some quiet time throughout the day to re-assess your priorities.
Recognize the time of day you are most productive. At that time of day, do your most intense work or the work that will take a great deal of focus or brainpower.
Throughout the day, as you are doing your work, search for simpler and faster ways to do that task.
Don’t
confuse. . .
. . . activity
with results
. . . hard
work with results
. . .
efficiency with results.
You can be active and very busy but running around in circles. A professional is someone who cares about the results, not just the activity.
