10 reasons why a CEO should hire an Executive Assistant
Executive Assistant to CEO: “Help me help you!”
As a CEO, you have enough to do without sweating the small stuff. You are in the process of growing your business or department and adapting to the new normal. Who knew a year ago we would be where we are today?
Now more than ever, it's important to have someone who can be a partner, manage the details, and let you concentrate on the things that only you can do while leaving the rest to a competent Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff.
You might be working on tasks such as paying and sending invoices, managing expenses, payroll, and other important details of running a business. But an Executive Assistant (EA) is the key to opening up valuable time on your schedule by managing tasks they are well equipped to do, at a fraction of your hourly rate.
Below, we look at 10 reasons why a CEO should hire an executive assistant:
1. Trust them with your scheduling, taking messages, and routine contact with your business associates and clients.
2. Make your EA your trusted right-hand partner. It is often very difficult to open up your life to a stranger but understand an Executive Assistant is a professional in their field.
3. If your business model allows, your EA doesn't need to be in the office 5 days per week, full time, and can work remotely given the proper equipment. Given the nature of their intelligence, they know how to manage calendars, including their own, and will know when and if it is appropriate for them to work remotely.
4. If you are looking for an Executive Assistant, the most important traits (in addition to experience) are trustworthiness, dependability, professionalism, and the ability to communicate both verbally and in written form. How do you screen for such traits? If you ask the right questions during the interview and work with a professional search consultant, you will be able to identify the right match for your needs after all the key requirements are checked.
5. You want to grow the relationship to the point where your EA can anticipate what you need, and be proactive. They should be able to anticipate what you need, when you need it, and how to move forward without always seeking your approval. Again, I can't stress this enough - make this EA a partner in your work. Your success is their success.
6. Start slowly; try not to throw everything at them all at once. As they become more familiar with what you do, give them more responsibility, while allowing them to become proactive and anticipatory.
7. Empower your EA with the premise and culture of your work relationship that sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Let them take over projects, create something they see that needs attention that you have missed, and have a voice in leadership meetings. If they're afraid to make mistakes, it defeats the purpose of having an EA – they are there to keep you on course and manage the little things (often without saying or asking) to help you achieve success.
8. Be transparent with your EA. There should be no secrets between the two of you unless it's a state secret. They understand confidentiality is one of the key items they manage and operate as an information “vault.”
9. Above all, learn to give up control. Many CEOs are tech-savvy and can create PowerPoint presentations, set up Zoom calls, and can write emails. It doesn't mean they do them extremely well, and every minute they spend doing that is a minute taken away from building the business. Think of it like a football team. You are the quarterback and you call the plays to get the ball across the goal line. In your case, look at your EA as your left tackle, protecting you from the unexpected, and getting hit from behind. They have their ear to the ground, and eye on the ball planning the day out for you, making sure you're where you need to be with what you need to have. They have your blind side covered.
10. Although an EA is typically comfortable behind a desk, working quietly asking very little of you or anyone, take time to let them know you appreciate them, and pay them as such. A great EA is more precious than gold. For those of you who have one, think of how uneasy you feel when they are on vacation.
If you hire and then allow a talented Executive Assistant to “help me help you,” they help “show you the money.” You'll discover an entirely new way to maximize your business potential and meet the challenges of this brave new world.
About Diane Steele
Diane Steele is CEO and Founder of Steele Recruiting, an Executive Administrative Assistant Search firm. Headquartered in Minneapolis/St Paul, Steele Recruiting is a female owned retained search firm, specializing in Executive Administrative Assistant-Chief of Staff recruitment, supporting CEOs and Presidents in Minneapolis and St Paul. Contact Steele via email or phone at 952-484-4217.
