An executive assistant discusses her achievements, promotion and excellent career success, partly as a result of attending Alain Paul Martin's public workshops Administrative Assistants & Executive Secretaries Skills using Harvard University Global System tools (soft power, project management; risk mitigation; negotiation roadmap, responsibility accountability) by The Professional Development Institute PDI Worldwide USA Canada, www.executive.org. She describes the training (quality, seminar leader, extreme learning, great course materials). Managing priorities, deadlines, meetings, e-mail, virtual personal assistant, iPhone apps, Blackberry, interruptions, difficult people, hot situations, competence, courage, commitment, office conflict. time management tips. saying no. meetings. Secretary planner checklists. managing boss; critical success factors of greatest team leaders; how to be proactive, independent; influence, inspire, motivate. Google Search. video. For Martin, winning is about raising the bar in teamwork, authenticity, stellar leadership & customer service. Failure is not trying!
Summary of her comments:
One the most rewarding learning experiences. It helped me improve my performance, earn the authority and trust of top-management and coworkers, and advance my career, then report directly to the Board Chairman and 2 years later be accepted in a full-time MBA program.
Being an executive assistant is a demanding job. We are struggling with an increasing workload and resource constrains; striving to improve productivity, build a winning team with colleagues and management, maximize value to our business. Apart from conference calls, meetings and daily priorities, we have to work with difficult people, resolve conflict, delegate, take charge without the benefit of authority, meet multiple boss expectations, manage projects and negotiate with clients, providers and staff. We must balance work demands with fitness and family obligations, while building our career.
PDI workshop is the best choice, a must for admin and presidential professionals who wish to add value to their company, understand organization challenges, and pursue sound growth."
The course content was partially adjusted to our expectations. Two weeks before the workshop, the instructor initiated a dialogue with participants. I was able to share, in private, my personal goals and work-related problems and priorities. This made the in-class learning productive and beneficial to each attendee.
I keep coming back to the course materials. Harvard Productivity Log helps me schedule, negotiate priorities with bosses, deal with drop-in visitors, procrastinators, and eliminate time wasters. I use the practical tips in Martins book Bringing Time to Life and Time Management Road Map. FIRO-B helped me understand interpersonal compatibility and improve my relationship with colleagues. SDI increased my understanding of my strengths in normal and difficult conditions. I was more effective in planning meetings, recording conclusions and following up decisions with Harvard Meeting Template.
Apart from these practical skills, what helped me most is the concept of exemplary leadership and teamwork. Executive assistants are in the position where their work is dependent on others doing their share: leaders, peers, subordinates, clients. It is important to work, build and lead teams, by example, with tact, diplomacy, respect and professional care.
The classes were exceptionally interesting, where collaboration was valued over competition. We, people of different nationalities and from different industries, worked in goal focused teams. Whether solving cases or in a role play, we learned from each other, shared our experiences and work-related issues. This knowledge was essential to succeed in recruiting the right people, coaching young professionals and undertake greater responsibility for my work team.
The course was taught by Alain Martin, PDI President, chief architect, Harvard University Global System, author of books on time, strategic intelligence and proactive thinking that were used in the course. Theory was followed by class discussions, and numerous exercises on, for example, negotiating with difficult people. Practical applications in planning and project management were demonstrated and practiced individually and in teams. We also learned smart ways to conduct advanced search on the Internet and dig deeper without wasting time.
Mr. Martin is an exceptional instructor. More than most trainers, he understands the issues facing executive assistants. His experience in coaching administrative professionals from America and Europe in a wide spectrum of industries was very helpful. He shared the best practices of Boeing, GE, Procter & Gamble. The course focuses on helping you realize your full potential and turns it into a lifelong success! Related: Executive Assistant & Administrative Professional Workshop www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AZIVWMC45M
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Administrative Assistantby covermeadmin1,148 views
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