Great assistants know
It’s COOL to be an administrative professional because you are privy to information that other employees are not or you may be given a heads up on an upcoming change before other employees are told.
When I think back to some of the executives I worked with as a strategic business partner, there were numerous occasions when they would share important information with me. That made me feel trustworthy and like a confidante. Often the information they shared was to help me be prepared for upcoming situations or events. It was great to be “in the know” so I could be proactive, take the initiative, and also not be caught off guard should another employee come and ask me questions about something they heard.
There were times I was privy to financials which helped me look for creative ways to save money or leverage supplies and equipment. Yes, there were probably a few times I wish had not been told certain things but I knew how to protect information when I needed. That is also the COOL thing about being an executive assistant or administrative professional. . . you have to learn how to communicate in a way that you are being truthful, yet keeping confidences when necessary.
Joan Burge
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