I am just coming back to the office this week after an incredible week of teaching World Class Assistant to some amazing ladies. It was four full-days of learning and these assistants were hungry to achieve their certification and WCA Certified designation. As always, we had a small group creating a very intimate experience. We do this on purpose so that I can give special attention to each attendee.
Every time I have the honor of teaching, I learn new things as well. I am always impressed at the great ideas people will come up with . . . when you let them! During my training, I give ample time for attendees to use their creativity, skill practice, and stretch out of their comfort zones. And every time, people prove that given the opportunity, they have more to give than they think.
Unfortunately, in the workplace, people often stay in their realm and unless they are pushed to take on something new or think differently, they stay with what they know. Yet everyone has so much more potential.
Being that Administrative Professionals Day is this week, I would actually like to challenge all administrative professionals to stretch out of their comfort zone this week. I realize this is a day/week of celebration for your profession and I happily celebrate you. But I also want you to become all you are capable of becoming. You have not arrived! At least I hope you feel that way. If you think you have reached your pinnacle, you will not challenge yourself to learn new things or look for new opportunities. That kind of thinking will leave you in the dust because of the fast pace of change. Check out the Blog-a-Thon we’ve been hosting this month for some ideas on how you can stretch and grow your current skill set.
This week, I would love for you to see just how much you are capable of doing. Speak out; present new ideas; be creative; be assertive; be open; generate enthusiasm, create change; improve processes. I dare you to be bold and enlarge your presence.
Joan Burge
Thank you for this encouragement and support. It always helps to have a cheerleader in your corner that can provide strategic advice and direction.
Agreed! Support from around the world or just next door is always inspirational.
My phone receives two email accounts, my work calendar, all my client and staff information and numerous details and notes. My boss texts me often for work purposes. Praise God for the mobile applications.
Just signed up to join the celebration committee at my office! Co-workers tell me I’ll be a great asset to the team because of my upbeat attitude.
Great job!!
Continually learning and challenging oneself sure makes the job more interesting.
Good afternoon –
Thanks for all the good comments, suggestions, thoughts, etc. from working for someone you dislike to organization your executive and team. I read each entry with interest and have implemented some new ideas for our organization.
See you at the conference,
Deb
I love to challenge myself. What’s really great is that I support and executive who also likes to see me stretch. We reviewed the goals I set for myself together and after our discussion, I re-visited the goals and really put more effort into them. I have goals, that when I reach them will have totally thrown me out of the comfort zone!!
Just submitted my draft scholarship application for the 2016 conference to my boss with request for his recommendation, and scheduled time at 3:45 today to discuss. Wish me luck, too!
I have never reached my “pinnacle” and I do not think I ever will. I’m always looking for the next challenge and this Blog-a-thon has given me a lot of great ideas. Keep up the good work bloggers and commenters!
My stretching activity is to create an administrative professionals network here at my company, where I’ve only been for four months. I helped create such a group at my previous employer with great success. I have verbal support from my exec and our senior HR officer. Now I’m in the process of talking up the idea with my peers to drum up interest and participation. Fortunately, my company supports such peer groups and I’ve got a good structure to use as my guide, as well as my experience from the former employer. Wish me luck. It’s a little like throwing a party and hoping people show up.
Good luck!!
Bravo for taking this intiative, Katharine – I am sure it will be a (recurring) party to remember!
It’s a great idea!
We have such a network where I work and it’s so wonderful to belong to an Admin Team where we can share ideas and help each other succeed at our goals. We meet once a month for one hour. This year we actually formed a board with a Chairperson, Secretary, etc.
We have a business meeting, then a presentation, e.g. taking effective minutes, technology tips, department insights, trainings, etc.
We have a budget and we plan a team retreat every year as well. You may not get all the admins together all of the time, but if you have an agenda and minutes, you can save them in a team space or some other share drive for those who couldn’t make it so they don’t miss out.
Good luck, Katherine!
Thanks for the inspiration on Administrative Professionals Week. I look forward to this week and learning new ideas.