Skilled executive assistants are vital for successful business leaders. Their work may go primarily unseen, yet assistants are at the center of countless moving pieces. The best assistants are highly valued for the numerous versatile services that they provide. New assistants can secure the respect of their employers by demonstrating proficiency with essential professional duties. Keep the following skills in mind as you endeavor to be an exceptional executive assistant.
1. Technological Literacy
The technological tools used by fast-moving businesses are undergoing constant development and updates. Great assistants can tackle tasks across multiple systems without issue, and they can dispel confusion or frustration for their employers. Skills such as knowing how to merge data in excel or how to save a document as a PDF are everyday essentials. Assistants must also know how to conduct business securely on mobile devices while traveling.
2. Interpersonal Communication
Communication skills are absolutely necessary for effective assistants. They must be able to respond quickly, accurately, and professionally to all manner of questions and comments. An executive assistant’s communication is a reflection of their employer and must support their aims. Assistants meet stressful high-stakes situations with grace and respond to brusk interactions with calm resolve.
3. Project Organization
Assistants are often privy to current company projects and coordinate group communication or resources. An effective executive assistant should be equipped to organize numerous moving components of important projects. Assistants organize meetings, materials, and team memos throughout major project timelines.
4. Time Management
Merging and managing calendars is a basic and indispensable skill for assistants. Executives must show up for remote and in-person meetings on time to maintain professional regard. Assistants can juggle numerous small and large tasks throughout days and weeks without forgetting appointments. Due to the changing nature of each day as an assistant, these individuals must be motivated to succeed and adapt to shifting needs.
5. Professional Editing
Great writing is an underappreciated and essential professional skill. Spelling and grammar errors can make written communications and documents appear rushed and ill-conceived. Top assistants pay close attention to details and scan their employer’s writing for fixable errors before passing on communications. Editing should be quick, accurate, and in line with the intended tone of the writer.
6. Networking Savvy
Executive assistants are often tasked with facilitating team communications or reaching out to develop new partnerships. A good assistant represents their employer well during interactions with valued clients. Networking is also part of an assistant’s search for new tools, resources, markets, and investments.
7. Problem-Solving Abilities
Challenges arise for all businesses and assistants are the unseen forces of problem-solving efforts. Executive assistants must be able to solve many technological and communication problems before they reach the employer. Well-prepared assistants have crisis management plans and can stay steady through passing storms. Assistants should be confident in creating solutions and implementing the choices of their employers.
8. Critical Thinking
Executive assistants make countless interconnected decisions every day. They must possess the presence of mind to anticipate challenges or questions from business leaders. Assistants can implement complex plans and protocols on short notice and adapt them to fit changing circumstances. An assistant’s decisions must align with the goals of their employer and reflect the individual’s astute judgment.
9. Analytical Discernment
In today’s business world, executive assistants must be able to analyze data and sensitive professional scenarios. Assistants have a valuable perspective on company projects, as they have access to both granular details and a global view. Such a perspective can be a useful resource for employers as they make project decisions. Assistant can organize and analyze data from multiple sources to optimize business processes.
10. Flexible Attitude
Executive assistants must be willing and able to pivot or redirect their efforts at any moment. A flexible attitude serves the individual assistant and their employer’s goals. Adaptability is necessary for an ever-evolving business landscape.
An attentive and driven executive assistant is an invaluable employee and team member.
