Being Indispensable

Episode 160 is my interview with Steuart Snooks, Based in Melbourne, Australia, he is an Email and Workplace Productivity Expert. Steuart works with business owners, senior executives, their EAs and support teams who are overloaded with email and crying out for practical, affordable solutions to the relentless demands of email and the workload it drives. Steuart has over 25 years’ experience in researching and developing best practices for managing incoming email and workload and restoring email to its rightful place as a powerful tool to facilitate improved workplace and personal productivity. Steuart has developed a breakthrough method that revolutionises the way Executives and their EAs/PAs manage their inboxes. It aims to elevate the skills and knowledgeof the EA/PA to free up their time, energy, and headspace so they can offer greater support to their Executive who can then focus on the higher-order thinking, strategic focus, andleadership aspects of their role. Much of this work is done with the EA/PA,

In order to assist with impact you need to be trustworthy, to be that safe pair of hands for your executive. But for you to reach that point you also need to have built and maintained your crediblity. In Episode 159 of the podcast I share some Stephen M. R. Covey wisdom with you. The four must-do's if you want to be seen as credible. He explored these core elements in his book The Speed of Trust.  I also discuss this article which talks about the idea of "2 percenters" and how small things can be integral to you building credibility and trust. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-supercharge-your-influence-rich-hirst/ Make sure to follow me on Instagram so you can get weekly doses of my #MotivationMonday and #WednesdayWisdom words to live by. https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/

The final episode in my little three-part series with tips and strategies to help you lift your effectiveness when it comes to managing your Executive's inbox and crafting emails. In this final episode of the series I share 3 'mini' tips that will hopefully be of benefit to you. Upping your email effectiveness builds the partnership between you and your executive. It allows you to earn trust and builds confidence in you as a safe pair of hands. If you're not following me on Instagram, head on over and find me at  https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/  

My second hack for upping your effectiveness is about the structure of your emails. It’s an approach called BLUF which stands for Bottom Line Up Front A BLUF (bottom line up front) is a framework where the essential information is placed at the beginning of the text, rather than the end. The BLUF framework makes you more credible. You will sound more crisp and confident. That sends a powerful signal that you know your stuff.

Welcome to the first of a three-part series designed to help you be more proactive and effective. In this episode I share an approach to crafting email subject lines that have more impact. Effective subject lines clearly communicate the action you expect or want the recipient to take.  It’s effectively cuing the person - saving them time and mental energy as they scan their inbox. This simple approach uses square brackets that show the abbreviated action or keyword. Square brackets stand out visually so the cue will be clearer Implementing this approach requires you to be proactive. Incorporating this approach will require you to discuss with your exec to agreen on the abbreviations are that you’re going to use.

Ursula Kohler understands just how vital an effective EA can be for their manager and their organisation. As the founder and MD of Capital EA, Ursula is a leader and advocate for upskilling and training EAs in Australia so that they can cultivate a "can do" solution focussed attitude.  It was an honour to interview Ursula for the podcast. It is a 'high-water' mark for me as a host to feature someone of Ursula's calibre. Both in terms of what she delivered as an EA herself and in terms of what she delivers as a provider of training, mentoring and coaching to EAs around Australia. Connect with Ursula and Capital EA here: https://www.capitalea.com.au https://www.capitalea.com.au/workshops/ Find Ursula on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urskoh/ And on social media: https://www.instagram.com/capitalcea/ Learn more about the Lead EA Network: https://www.leadeanetwork.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/leadeanetwork/     - How Ursula identified her strengths early in life 

While our emotions have evolved to help us, there are times when our emotional responses no longer serve us for a variety of reasons. Unwanted emotional triggers can range from being a minor nuisance, to in some instances, leading us towards behavior we may later regret. I like to say we are human beings, not human doings. Assistants are required to give and receive feedback.  Being able to stay 'above the line' in terms of our thinking and behaviour is a key part of being able to Assist With Impact. Understanding the six triggers that can get in the way of us being able to engage with people in a healthy and productive way is an essential part of knowing yourself. In this episode I share: - six emotional triggers that can be at play in our relationships - how awareness of these triggers can help us avoid an Amygdala Hijack (what happens when emotion takes over and our lizard brain fires up) - why this self awareness is important I hope you enjoy the episode. Connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn to stay i

Lauren Calvert is a Strategic Business Partner and career EA with over 15 years experience working with CEOs of multi-national and blue chip organisations. In 2019 Lauren launched The Well-Suited Group -  a ‘go to’ agency for businesses and individuals in need of premium administrative support, creating opportunities for women in senior executive support roles seeking more flexibility and partnering with CEO’s and companies who value good support and champion flexibility that works for all. Listen to this interview to hear Lauren describe her own experience navigating the career spider frame (as I like to call it).  Lauren shares how she developed the combination of project management skills and commercial acumen led to her moving out of the Executive Assistant role and how she intentionally returned to the role of EA because of the opportunity to partner with her business leader to deliver strategic business support. You can connect with Lauren at The Well Suited Group: https://www.well-suited.com.au/ Linked

In Episode 152 I'm sharing the outcome of a 'laser' coaching session I had recently with an Executive Assistant earlier this year. Listen to this episode to hear: 1. The situation/context 2. The gaps we identified and the steps I suggested to help this assistant reset and re energise the relationship and build trust and confidence 3. The five challenges that I present to all assistants who seek out my assistance and why these five challenges are built on intentional communication with your manager 4. Five simple actions you can take RIGHT now if you are looking to assist with impact.  

I'm sharing some exciting news in this episode of the podcast that I hope you will be excited about too. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my news so feel free to email me at liz@myeacareer.com or send me a message on LinkedIn or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizvanvliettrainerspeakercoach/    

Episode 150 is the third in my series on the three biggest challenges I hear from Executive Assistants. In this episode I share my own struggles with this topic and how I strive every day to overcome lack of confidence. I share three resources to help you continue to make progress with building and maintaining your confidence. I also celebrate that I've reached the milestone of 150 episodes. How this topic is so close to my heart, so it seems serendipitous (you know I love that word) that in this milestone episode I can reach out to you, my lovely listeners, and give you some ideas for lifting yourself up. Resource 1 - The Confidence Spiral My Instagram carousel where I shared how it works: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZQkgTyp1T4/ Resource 2 Blog Post - 5 Ways Emotionally Intelligent People Boost Their Confidence at Work https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/low-confidence-at-work Resource 3 Book - Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person (Shonda Rimes) https://www.amazon.c

The second episode in my trio of episodes focusing on the top three challenges I hear from Executive Assistants. This one is all about how to manage priorities.  I share three concepts and approaches to managing the shifting sands that EAs deal with on a continual basis. Resources discussed in this episode: Resource #1 Book - Managing Up by Mary Abajay https://www.amazon.com.au/Managing-Up-Move-Work-Succeed-ebook/dp/B07BB4QFDF Resource #2 Blog post - An Administrative Assistant’s Guide To Coping With Conflicting Priorities https://officedynamics.com/coping-conflicting-priorities/ Resource #3 Priority Matrix Urgent vs Important - Stephen Covey Also look at the Eisenhower Matrix 

Feeling unable to say no is one of the biggest challenges that I hear from Executive Assistants. In this episode and in coming episodes I will be sharing with you the top three challenges I hear from EAs when I survey them prior to delivering my training programs.  In each episode I will share three tools, tactics or resources to help you meet this challenge. Resources discussed in this episode: https://fs.blog/steve-jobs-saying-no/ https://fs.blog/saying-no/ Tim Ferriss Podcast - How to Say “No” Gracefully and Uncommit (#328) Book - Ury, William. The Power of A Positive No

A solo episode kicking off 2022 with a book recommendation.  - What defines a 'giver', a 'taker' and a 'matcher' - Why this applies particularly to Executive Assistants - How I relate to being a failing giver and the cost it takes on me - How it applies to my word of 2022 - My wish for you, my lovely listener Watch the TEDx talk where Adam Grant talks about these concepts here:  https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_are_you_a_giver_or_a_taker?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Read more about the book here: https://www.adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/

In my final episode for 2021 I share what I've seen in the Executive Assistants I've trained this year. Listen to the episode to hear the biggest pain points and my observations about why this is the case. I also discuss how this year has been about consistently sharing my approach to training and coaching assistants. Helping you move out of the order-taker zone and spend more time in the more impactful zone of Linchpin Assistant is what I'm all about and my Knowing Framework is the foundation of this. If you want to listen to me discuss the EA Competency Model that I developed after four years training and coaching assistants listen to Episode 120 https://beingindispensable.libsyn.com/120-the-competencies-that-power-a-linchpin-assistant

In this solo episode, Liz shares why she LOVED this book by Liz Wiseman, and why it's a must-read for Executive Assistants who want to be impact players or Linchpin Assistants. Liz Wiseman is a researcher and executive advisor who teaches leadership to executives around the world. She is the author of New York Times bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools, and Wall Street Journal bestseller Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work. The Wiseman Group is a talent development and research organization headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. For people striving to build a high-contribution culture, The Wiseman Group creates insights that ignite multiplying behavior, because developing and using talent is the ultimate advantage. Head over to https://impactplayersbook.com/ to find out more about the book and the research behind it and to take a free quiz.

Part Two of my interview with ex-Linchpin Assistant Rachael Bonetti. In the second half of our interview Rachael shares her five tips for developing your 'Executive Presence'. Rachael says "It's in the way they move, speak and show up every day. It's evident in their actions, their commitments and their focus." It's something she works with EAs to develop and demonstrate in her mentoring programs. The five tips are in the area of: 1. Composure 2. Online presence 3. Pay attention 4. Confidence 5. Preparedness Rachael mentors Executive Assistants "who want to drastically change the trajectory of their careers, opening access to the most senior roles that exist. Those who want to step up as leaders and valued business partners." Connect with Rachael here: https://www.rachaelbonetti.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rachaelbonetti/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bonetti-4b46561a/

The first in my two-part interview with Rachael Bonetti. Listen to the episode to hear her experience navigating the Career Spider Frame. How Rachael got clear on the skills, behaviours and values that empowered her to support Chairmen, CEOs, change-makers and entrepreneurs, and show up as a Linchpin Assistant. How Rachael started and grew her side hustle, The Admin Alchemist, enabling her to step away from her EA role to focus on her business full time.  Hear how Rachael mentors Executive Assistants "who want to drastically change the trajectory of their careers, opening access to the most senior roles that exist.  Those who want to step up as leaders and valued business partners." Connect with Rachael here: https://www.rachaelbonetti.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rachaelbonetti/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-bonetti-4b46561a/  

The third and final episode in my mini-series on how the dreaded Drama Triangle plays out for you as an Executive Assistant or Office Professional. In this episode we focus on the 'Perpetrator'. These people are the villain of the drama. They're controlling and they're catch-cry will be something like... "It's all your fault", "I know better", "You're doing it wrong". Setting boundaries and communicating assertively are vital in managing people like this.  Download my free guide to escaping The Drama Triangle here: https://bit.ly/linchpin140 Listen to Episode 113 to hear two strategies for communicating assertively https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/113-power-skills-for-executive-assistants-how-to-handle-a-difficult-conversation/ Read the World Administrator Summit report on bullying here: https://wa-summit.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/worldwide_workplace_bullying_survey_results_2017.pdf Link to YouTube video on Understanding the Drama Triangle vs Prescence from The Conscious Leadership Group - https://youtu

This week's episode follows on from Episode 140 and dives a bit deeper into the role of the 'rescuer' in The Drama Triangle.  - The 3 situations where the victim looks to the rescuer to save them from - The people that may present want you as an assistant, to 'rescue' them - The WIFM (What's In It For Me) you get from being a rescuer  - How The Drama Triangle is a part of 'below the line' thinking and behaviours - 3 reasons your 'starting gate' role is the rescuer - 3 steps to moving from being a rescuer to being a coach/teacher Links discussed in this episode: Free download on The Drama Triangle - https://bit.ly/linchpin140 https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/beingindispensable/Episode_83_Where_Am_I.mp3 https://jacquijames.com.au/from-victim-to-persecutor-to-rescuer-and-back-again/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-ways-ask-better-questions-liz-van-vliet/ Link to YouTube video on Understanding the Drama Triangle vs Prescence from The Conscious Leadership Group - https://youtu.be/ovrVv_RlCMw