Stress and the Modern EA

Written by on in Admin Support, Coaching, EA Selection, EA Support, EA Workshops

Stress and the modern Executive Assistant:

Why building resilience and focussing on your wellbeing is key to your success

Did you know that the stress levels of an Executive Assistant (EA) can equal their boss’s despite their pay packets being worlds apart?

EAs have long left the world of typing pools behind and are contributing strategically, understanding their boss’s objectives and thinking about the ‘bigger picture’, whilst acquitting expenses, booking travel, and ensuring the annual Christmas party is in the diary.  We contribute daily to our boss’s success to prove a return on their investment. No two days are the same, and we can often feel overlooked, undervalued and stressed out.

But the role is also extremely rewarding and required – the role of an EA has outlasted many and a lot of senior leaders would be lost without our support. It takes a special person to be an EA and an excellent EA should be recognised and rewarded (and never let go!).

If you are feeling the pressure but aren’t quite sure where to start, here are a few tips on reducing stress at the desk and focussing on your wellbeing, without reducing your effectiveness or impact:

  • Reach out: Speak to someone if you are not coping or are feeling overwhelmed. Stress and anxiety can lead to mistakes which can make us feel even more overwhelmed.
  • Understand your triggers and ask yourself what pushes me to my limit? Is my stress self-inflicted? How can I take control and implement change?
  • Manage up by thinking collaboratively: Work with the wider team to achieve the goal and meet the deadline.
  • Reach out to your network: If you invest time in building and maintaining a quality network, you will reap the benefits. A strong network will support you when you decide to ‘hit the emergency button’.
  • Reduce your boss’s stress: Lead from the front, put out fires, fill the gaps, anticipate needs and exercise judgement. A happy boss means a happy EA!
  • Soak up the praise: Make sure you listen to praise and feedback – you deserve it!  Because when your boss says that they couldn’t do what they do without you, they mean it.
  • Don’t make yourself irreplaceable: A lot of EAs love the feeling of being the only one their boss can rely on, but we needn’t be martyrs, you should feel secure enough in your role to build resilience and set up a plan B for when you are not in the office.
  • Implement flexible working: The world is going mobile and workplaces are becoming more and more flexible so we need to move with the times. Work from home if your boss is out of the office, take an early mark or pick the kids up from school one day per week.
  • Take your annual leave: full stop, no arguments or excuses.  Your wellbeing will thank you.

If you are interested in learning more about empowering yourself in your role including leadership and the modern EA, you should register for our upcoming workshop, or be in touch with Ursula for one-on-one coaching or Carly for tailored EA mentoring advice.

Ursula is challenge driven, and thrives in busy environments.  With over 27 years’ experience as an EA/PA, Ursula has worked with and supported some of Australia's most recognised and rewarded individuals.   Ursula has provided crucial support to politicians, boards and government department heads during some intense periods during her career, earning a reputation for resilience and as an EA that can “handle the heat”. She has an exceptional capacity for organisation, multi-tasking, and prioritising, she is passionate about providing the highest levels of customer service and being a wingwoman to her executive.   Ursula understands just how vital an effective EA can be for their manager and their organisation.  She is passionate about encouraging other EAs to understand their organisation, nurture relationships in and outside the business, learn and develop, and cultivate a “can do” attitude.   Born in Canberra, Ursula is one of six children to migrant parents, she initially struggled to keep up having to attend English speaking classes and learned much of what she knows today from trial and error. Ursula has a Diploma of Business Management, was one of five finalists in the 2019 Canberra Women in Business – Business Woman of the Year category. She has lived on the Sunshine Coast and prefers Canberra (!) is married with one daughter and a gorgeous Kelpie named Tess.

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