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I regularly take inspiration for my content from my “National Days Calendar” and saw that this Saturday was “National Juggling Day”. Of course, this was all to do with actual juggling, but it did get me to thinking about all the “stuff” that you metaphorically juggle as busy EAs and PAs. In fact, Chapter J in my book “A-Z Pearls of Wisdom” is entitled “J is for Juggling the demands of more than one Executive” and I’m including an exert for you below.
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Happy juggling one and all!
Exert from “A-Z Pearls of Wisdom for Executive PAs” Chapter J is for Juggling the demands of more than one Executive
Many PAs are in roles where they are supporting more than one Executive, having to juggle their time efficiently and effectively, and remain calm under pressure. The key to successful management of the demands of more than one Executive comes down to great communication – with those you are supporting and with yourself!
Here is a list of useful techniques to help you successfully work with multiple demands:
• Speak to each of your Executives individually to ensure they are aware of your workload and the fact that you are assisting other people. At the same time, assure them that you appreciate that their demands are important. Share with them the fact that you want to be as effective and efficient as possible. Ultimately you are all working towards the same goal of a smooth working relationship.
• Become familiar with the preferred workings of each team member – people work and ‘tick’ in different ways, and each Executive may have different expectations of you. You know which Executive is happy with you writing up a report and circulating it without them even looking over it for final approval. Likewise, you know the Executive who will want to tweak that report (for the fifth time!) before it gets circulated.
• Verbally repeat your Executive’s demands to them to ensure you have understood their request correctly. Never assume anything!
• Always ensure you know the deadline for a task, project or request so you can prioritise tasks and demands accordingly. Give yourself more “breathing space” by asking “When is the absolute latest you need this by?” In theory, it’s great to have a prioritised work list for the day (or week) ahead. However, in practice, we know that this list will constantly change – just as soon as you’ve put together a prioritised list, one of your Executives will appear with a mini-emergency that needs your assistance! You need to be able to re-jig the list and be flexible in your approach.
