Advanced Skills for Elite Personal and Executive Assistants [NZPD]

Course subjects

During this course, participants engage in learning the theories and practice the duties of a high-level administrative assistant. This interactive course includes activities to enhance learning and the development of practical skills.

This comprehensive course involves the development of skills and knowledge that the job of a personal/executive assistant demands. These include developing social intelligence, flexibility, content management skills, people management skills and prioritising tasks.

Lesson 1: The advanced elite PA and EA

• Role defined

• Competencies of an elite PA/EA

Lesson 2: Working with your manager

• LDP Review - Communication Evolution Tool

• Ok so that’s thinking and doing.... How about communicating?

• Adjusting your style for a better approach

Lesson 3: Handling difficult and demanding people in the workplace

• Four general intents shaping behaviour

• What drives behaviour?

• Coping techniques for difficult and demanding managers

• Seven types of difficult managers and colleagues to manage

Lesson 4: Negotiation with multiple managers vs tasks

• Should I negotiate or say NO to the task?

• Should I say YES to the person but NO to the task?

Lesson 5: Managing the office

• Delegation below, sideways, and upwards

• Ten rules for successful delegation

  • 1. Determine what can be delegated

  • 2. Pick the right person

  • 3. Explain why you are delegating

  • 4. Be specific be SMARTER

  • 5. Set them up for success

  • 6. Touch base

  • 7. Don’t micromanage

  • 8. Offer feedback / Ask for feedback

  • 9. Say thanks and be patient

  • 10. Don’t over delegate

• Delegating to profiles

Lesson 6: Social media management

• Nine steps to help you manage social media

  1. How often

  2. Dealing with negative comments

  3. Do I need to check with anyone?

  4. If in doubt, don’t post it!!!

  5. Rules for using photos and videos

  6. Sharing Information

  7. Engagement

  8. Monitoring

  9. Physical posting vs auto posting

Lesson 7: Work-life balance

• Distress versus eustress

• Causes of stress

• Four major signs and symptoms of stress

• Are you fuelling the fire?

• Control your cortisol

• Mindfulness

Lesson 8: Reflections

• Create an Action Plan

• Accountability = action