I’ve been fortunate to work side-by-side with CEOs, Presidents, and Vice Presidents for more than 35 years. I highly respect and admire these individuals. I always learn a great deal from them. One aspect I love about them is that they have a way of sharing important insights in a unique way. Here is an example of what I mean.

A CEO recently wrote: the difference between a Secretary and a fully-functioning Executive Assistant is that a secretary has a series of tasks they perform and the routine of them becomes easier and easier so they almost don’t have to add much value. The executive assistant has the skills of the secretary PLUS they’re able to anticipate and manipulate the outcomes for improvement.

Another example: A year ago, during a workshop I was doing with Sr. VPs of a large construction company, I heard a few comment that: Just because someone has the title, Executive Assistant, doesn’t mean they are a true Executive’s Assistant. An Executive Assistant is a set of certain competencies that are not found in other levels of the administrative profession. (I guess it’s like the title, CEO, this doesn’t make one a CEO; it’s their leadership and set of competencies that make them so.)

Based on the descriptors above:

• Which do you have—a secretary or an executive assistant?
• Which do you need to support your role in the organization?
• Which would you like to have working with you?

I plan to provide executives with several blog entries to learn how to create the working partnership they desire with their administrative office professional.