There is no I in Team...but there is an EA.

Why Executive Assistants need to improve their teamwork skills?

Executive Assistants wear many hats covering a broad scope of responsibilities.  Many work independently and have set ways of doing things, so much so, they become fixed in how things “should” be done.  This mindset can often become habitual with EA’s trying to control more and more of the office, lest someone comes and messes it up.

It makes sense, cause when things go wrong, you are generally the ones called on to fix it.

The printers not working?  Don’t worry get the EA to fix it.  Why won’t this email send?  EA to the rescue.  Does anyone know how to use pivot tables in Excel?  Meanwhile you think to yourself didn’t everyone else do the same Excel training as you!

Being the go to person generally comes with the territory, but at the same time, be aware of trying to control too much.  It is a recipe for frustration, stress and burnout.

Instead look at how you can work smarter.

Look at the other people in the office.  Start seeing yourself as part of a team that includes your Executive and other co-workers.  Get rid of that fixed mindset and look for opportunities to tap into your co-workers as a resource.  They have skills that you don’t yet know about, and those skills will remain hidden if you don’t look for them.

To do this effectively you will need to know who your co-workers are beyond their job titles.  What are their goals, skills and aspirations?  Where did they grow up?  What are their kid’s names?  What pets do they have?

Spend some time learning about who they are as people, then when things go wrong, you can call on them to help.  In fact, chances are they’ll offer to pitch in and help.

See yourself as part of the team all working for common goals.  Being part of a team will make your work more enjoyable and meaningful and you never know what skills they may have. 

Although your role gives you a lot of independence, it's critical to remember that you are ultimately part of a team, so make the most of this untapped resource.

How to improve your common sense

The best EAs are very resourceful people. They look at a problem and come up with a solution that nobody else would've thought of. They're adept at just knowing what the right thing to say or do is in a given situation. This skill is otherwise known as having excellent common sense.

"Despite what the name implies, common sense is rare," Sharon Tsao, Contemporary Staffing Solutions Recruiting and HR expert, says.

Here are a few ways that you can improve your common sense:

1. You can start by thinking carefully and not acting impulsively when presented with a problem, the Balance suggests. As we all know, most errors are made by acting too hastily. So, slow down and think when an issue arises.

2. Seeking a role model is a good move. This is another way to question your thought processes and think about what your role model would do in a given situation. By comparing yourself to someone else who has their head on straight, you'll give yourself more confidence in your ability to think rationally.

3. Expanding your knowledge of the company is also useful, Sharon Tsao says. We often make stupid decisions because we're ill-informed. But if you understand the inner workings of the company, you'll acquire better foresight and learn how your decisions affect other people in the business.

All of these tips will put you on track to becoming a savvy person that people go to when a problem crops up in the office.

How to ensure that the office keeps running in your absence

You need to accept the fact that you will have sick days and plan for your absence. Certainly, the EA's job is to keep their boss's life and the office running as smoothly as possible, and you don't want to call attention to yourself with major disruptions because of your absence.

Therefore, the best thing you can do to plan for sick days is to create an office bible, according to the blog writer of Musings of a High Level Executive Assistant. Your co-worker, or even your boss, should have important information at their fingertips rather than having to call you every second of everyday that you're sick. You could also include a checklist so that whoever is filling in for you doesn't miss doing any very important tasks on a given day.

In this "office bible," you should include passwords, especially, so that co-workers and your boss can get access to any documents they may need. Your schedule and any special procedures that you carry out should also be included.

However, for confidentiality reasons, it's a good idea to leave out any very important passwords or sensitive information. In this case, just have your phone number available so that they can call you if they need access to such information. While it may seem a bit over-the-top to plan for your sick days, part of being an EA means being extraordinarily organised! When your boss sees that you've created this guide, they’ll admire your ability to think ahead and your dedication to the job.