Being Indispensable

This weeks episode is intended to give you an overview of the Assistant Competency Model created by Liz as well as the Ten Power Skills that propel assistants into the top quadrant as a Linchpin Assistant. These ideas are the result of the years Liz has spent speaking to, training and coaching assistants as well as researching and interviewing hundreds of business leaders to understand the key competencies that Linchpin Assistants demonstrate. Download your free handout with links to the episodes mentioned so that you can deep dive into the Ten Power Skills that will power you to show up as Linchpin Assistant. https://offers.myeacareer.com/being-indispensable-episode-120-download

A solo episode discussing why it's so vital that regardless of how much you love you job you must always prioritise your love for yourself above it.  That can be tricky when you're anxious and stressed about your job security but helping you see that you have options is what I'm all about. Self care anytime is important because we are human beings NOT human doings but in 2020 it's gone beyond burnout for most of us and we are now just soldiering on despite our mental fatigue and sense of overwhelm.  There is no magic bullet but what we can do is introduce small changes that will help you fire up your own inner flame.  Article mentioned in the show can be found here: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11269-rekindle-love-of-work.html

A solo episode ruminating on my own experience thinking of my career as a ladder and struggling at times to feel that I had options and that there were benefits to gain from making a lateral, diagonal or even a backwards move. These days I prefer to think of my career as climbing a spider frame that you'd find in a playground. Up, down, lateral and diagonal moves are all not just possible but encouraged.  Embracing the mindset that every move affords you opportunities to learn and grow and that there is a view to be had from each spot on that frame....not just the top! Check out the www.myeacareer.com for more information on the training, coaching and speaking that Liz delivers.

Padraig O'Sullivan or Pod as he is known was the business leader I supported in my role as an Executive Assistant. He was a mentor and informal coach to me and I consider myself fortunate to have come into his orbit.  Pod’s reputation as a leading leadership advisor and Top Teaming expert has been established with over 20 years leadership and coaching experience encompassing Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. He has been labeled “one of Asia’s top leadership experts” and is author of the award-winning series of International books “Foreigner In Charge: Success strategies for expat leaders”. In this episode (Part 2 of the interview) we discuss… How he sees the strategic value of the EA in enabling the leader to operate at a higher level The importance of leading from where you are and the concept of self-leadership 2 reasons he sees that EAs are ineffective Why he believes it is an extraordinarily important role Why radical candour with your boss is something that EAs should strive fo

Padraig O'Sullivan or Pod as he is known was the business leader I supported in my role as an Executive Assistant. He was a mentor and informal coach to me and I consider myself fortunate to have come into his orbit.  Pod’s reputation as a leading leadership advisor and Top Teaming expert has been established with over 20 years leadership and coaching experience encompassing Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. He has been labeled “one of Asia’s top leadership experts” and is author of the award-winning series of International books “Foreigner In Charge: Success strategies for expat leaders”. What you’ll learn in Part 1 of my interview with Pod includes: What makes a leader more impactful The importance of learning from each step on your career climbing frame The importance of finding the commonalities and connecting the dots so you can be clear about your strengths and when you’re really in flow How he helps leaders be better leaders How he feels about leaders who have chosen not to h

Robin Sharma is the author of The Leader Who Had No Title and in this episode I share his recommendations on how to lead from where you are and four things you can do NOW to build your leadership skills and the perception of you as a leader. Watch the video of Robin discussing these concepts here: https://youtu.be/u9IEeHqsTDs To find out more about Robin Sharma and this book head to his website  https://www.robinsharma.com/book/the-leader-who-had-no-title Learn more about My EA Career at www.myeacareer.com

Catching listeners up on the content of a free webinar I delivered today sharing the ONE thing I believe we truly need in order to be indispensable. Unfortunately the recording of the webinar is only available to those who registered prior to the event. But the video and slide deck will be available to members of the Empowered Assistant Collective.  The doors to founding members are now open. If you'd like to see what it's all about and consider if it's right for you, head over to https://bit.ly/jointheeacollective  

A common problem for EAs (and in fact common to most of us) is struggling to communicate effectively in crunch moments. When it comes to tackling a tricky situation that requires you to speak up, how many times do you find yourself -Avoiding the issue hoping it will go away? -Having the difficult conversation and then it getting out of hand? Episodes where I’ve discussed tackling uncomfortable conversations include: #55 How To Approach Difficult Conversations - Steps for Executive Assistants #18 Why Executive Assistants Need To Get Comfortable With Uncomfortable Conversations #85 POWER Skills for Indispensable Assistants: Communication Skills In this episode I share two strategies you can use to PLAN your approach to tricky conversations. I’ve created a download that you can access by going to http://bit.ly/being113 You can find more information on the SBI framework here: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/situation-behavior-impact-feedback.htm You can read more about Petrea King's approach here: ht

I came up with the concept of My Value Star™ when I was post breast cancer, struggling with a lack of confidence and self belief. In Chapter 11 of my book “Coming Home from Breastcancerville" I talk about my 'career wilderness years' after having children and how I lost touch with what made me invaluable as an employee. Somehow it took hitting rock bottom due to breast cancer treatment and recovery for me to look at myself differently. Despite feeling lost and unsure of anything I doodled this five-pointed star and identified five qualities that spoke to my value. That five-pointed star was the first step in me reinventing myself and rebuilding my confidence and self belief. In this episode I share how My Value Star came about, why I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own virtues and I have created a free workbook to help step you through this process. You can find the free workbook here: https://bit.ly/yourvaluestar In this episode I also mention a free webinar I am running on Wednesday 2nd

Resources mentioned in this episode Rosanne Badowski book on Managing Up: https://myeacareer.com/resources/managing-up-how-to-forge-an-effective-relationship-with-those-above-you/ Episode 32 Build A Strategic Partnership With Your Executive https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/building-a-strategic-partnership-with-your-executive/ Episode 57 Five Tips To Help Executive Assistants Manage Up https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/five-tips-to-help-executive-assistants-manage-up/ Episode 64 Indispensable Skills - Managing Your Manager https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/indispensable-skills-managing-your-manager/ The correct link for the free download mentioned in last weeks episode (Episode 110) https://bit.ly/outputsnotactivity

Is your self-worth as an Executive Assistant driven by activity or output?  An output is something you do. An outcome is something that happens as a consequence of something that you do. This episode came about because so many EAs I have been training and coaching are struggling with the feeling that because they're not 'seen' working remotely they are not feeling as sure about the value they're delivering. EAs may not generate outcomes as a general rule but their output does. Getting clear on the connection between outputs and the outcome they're tied to is a valuable way of building confidence and self-worth but also articulating your value to your manager. Get the download for the episode at https://bit.ly/outputsnotactivity Secure your invitation to join the Empowered Assistant Collective when the doors open in early September by registering at bit.ly/empoweredea    

In this interview with Mike Van Vliet we discussed the important terminology that EAs need to understand and the various sources of information that provide insight into how projects are travelling. We also discussed the different project management methodologies that EAs may come across and how they differ.  Finally we talked through ways that EAs can support their manager and influence the project management process.   

In this week's episode Liz shares a couple of bits of news and also an article that might resonate with you exploring the topic of burnout.  You can find the blog post by Bonnie Low-Kramen here or cut and paste the URL: http://www.bonnielowkramen.com/2020/07/20/burning-out-from-wfm-and-what-do-you-do-about-it-now/ Join the list to hear when the Empowered Assistant Collective doors will open at: https://bit.ly/empoweredea You can listen to my fun episode featuring my daughter Kate here: https://beingindispensable.libsyn.com/podbombing-during-covid-19-a-bit-of-fun-with-kate-vv      

A solo episode ruminating on a blog post that I wrote about EAs adopting what I call a Slinky Mindset. Read the blog post here I've written another post about the way Slinky's can also get tangled up. For Executive Assistants it happens when they're trying to manage unrealistic expectations! Read the blog post here 

In this episode Liz is sharing the projects she's working on including a new membership for EAs called The Empowered Assistant Academy. Register your details so you can be the first to know when the doors open. https://bit.ly/empoweredea Find out more about the coaching, training and speaking we offer at My EA Career. 

Mentoring is one of the most valuable things you can undertake. In this episode Liz shares her advice for finding a mentor and the key elements that need to exist for it to be a worthwhile experience for both mentor and mentee.

I prescribe to the view that respect cannot be demanded, it must be earned. Thinking that you "deserve" respect is a path to unhappiness and frustration. Instead, I recommend taking a proactive approach to earning respect that is based on the elements of my Knowing Assistant Framework: - Knowing yourself - Knowing your Power Skills - Knowing your job - Knowing your boss - Knowing your organisation You can read more about the Knowing Assistant Framework on my website myeacareer.com In this episode I share 3 strategies for building respect that I've read about in a brilliant book by Peggy Vasquez "Not Just An Admin". I can highly recommend picking up a copy of this excellent personal development resource. I also mention Lois P. Frankel's book "Nice Girls Still Don't Get The Corner Office".

Executive Assistants that I coach and mentor struggle with the feeling of not being in control. What I find is that it's not just a case of 'too much work' or 'not enough support'. When we feel overwhelmed or frazzled there are both internal and external factors at work.  So I've created a workbook that steps you through identifying the inner and outer elements that are in play when you feel like you're really kicking goals (and when you're not). You can download it at bit.ly/fromfrazzledtoflow        

As you support your managers and colleagues, families and friends during Covid-19 it's important to support yourself. In particular, your immune system. Ange Sinclair, otherwise known as the Digestive Detective is a qualified naturopath and specialises in helping people improve their gut health which leads to improvements in other areas of wellbeing. Ange left the corporate world and pursued study to gain qualifications in Western Herbal Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Naturopathy and Aromatherapy and runs a thriving health practice in Sydney, Australia. She understands the pain and discomfort that poor digestion can cause and in this episode she shares her top tips for the small things you can do that will support and supercharge your immune system. Ange has also provided a brilliant download that can be accessed here: https://mailchi.mp/digestivedetective.com.au/g6pjo6kfo0 Find out more about Ange at www.digestivedetective.com.au I loved speaking to Ange and found her advice practical and realistic. I hope

As I celebrate the milestone of making it to 100 episodes I am looking back at my most downloaded episodes and re-releasing them for those of you who are new to the podcast and haven't scrolled all the way back through the previous episodes available in your podcast listening app of choice. Episode 5 was all about the results of a LinkedIn survey I ran asking EAs what was the ONE word they wanted to show up as in their role/workplace....spoiler alert, indispensable was the top word! Listen in to hear what the other words were.  I also share in this episode the research and thinking of Amy Cuddy who has written a book on the topic of Presence, called...you guessed it, Presence. You can find Amy Cuddy's TED talk here if you're interested in learning more about her story.