With the advent of technology and wireless connections over the years, we have developed an always-on schedule, typically plugged into some form of digital device hours on end for the fear of missing out on critical business communications. From the office the pressure surmounted to our personal lives to be connected with family and friends through text messages, facebook, instagram or tiktok. Lines between the two began to blur and eventually the digital exhaustion was realized when our lives took a dramatic pause. Like a flip of the light switch, the economic uncertainty of the future unfolded before us as the reality of the worldly circumstances created by the pandemic shined a different light on our way of life. The paradigm shift didn’t change our always-on mentality but it did reshape when and where we decided to be plugged in because the lens on the value of human life was abundantly clear for most.
Worklife balance predominantly focuses on managing time, trying to squeeze in as much as possible in the workday. A pain point grappled everyday because there is never enough time in our awake hours to get stuff done. Quite possibly, this approach published by HBR, is not a new discovery but if we put it into practice, it may prove beneficial as we start to discipline ourselves to focus more on energy. Think about it–when we are most effective and productive, is when our energy throughout the day is at its highest point. This maybe far reaching in the near term but not impossible, the typical 9 to 5 business hours, could be disrupted to adjust the office structure. There is no silver bullet or one size fits all approach as organizations dive deeper into new ways of working but the common denominator in most discussions is the value in optimizing energy to produce results. The article, The Future Of Work Will Be Five-Hour Days, A Four-Day Workweek And Flexible Staggered Schedules, highlights challenges, tradeoffs and results.
Bottom line, as much as the average human does not gravitate to change, we need to lean into learning how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable to value what matters most versus fueling the elements in life that exhaust the energy out of our being.
The collective power of human ideas can drive amazing results but also incredible transformation. Technology is quickly evolving and leaders are faced with extraordinary new challenges that is forcing them to think different and disrupt the old way of working. This article published by McKinsey in 2012, Leading in the 21st century, introduced a number of leader’s view points on how they are connecting their organizations to the new ecosystem while addressing immediate action, confronting uncertainty and upheaval.
With all the new information technology, you are constantly available and the flow of information you have to manage is huge; that has added to the pressure.
Josef Ackermann, from the Leading in the 2st century interview with McKinsey
Who knew that fast forward 10 years, the landscape leaders were preparing for is much more complex than expected. Not only did 2020 pivot a number of organizations to collaborate from remote locations, the advancement of the virtual reality world began to unfold, introducing a hyper connected new world.
The next economy article published by Fast Company, illustrates how the metaverse is creating new ways for people to shop, work and play. If you are not familiar with how the virtual reality world is being weaved into the fabric of the ecosystem, take a moment to read this post, the metaverse is reshaping the future, to gain a broad understanding of the powerful programs solving for real-time hybrid conversations. Microsoft is heading up the demand with launching Mesh for Microsoft Teams. This video helps visualize how connecting and interacting in the metaverse looks like:
In 2014, USA Today touted the executive assistant as the ‘new power’ job. Who knew that in today’s business world that the role would land in the top 5 most in-demand remote jobs cited by CNBC. Over the years, the executive assistant undoubtedly faced stereotypes and ambiguity, but this article published by the Founder & Force Multiplier, draws out the 9 myths about being an executive assistant. The author, Hallie Warner, outlines the assumptions but also points out the number of skill sets an executive assistant brings to the table: leadership, communication, organization, resilience, resourcefulness, problem solving, project management and decision making. Digging deeper into the executive assistant’s arsenal of skills, the game changer also dapples in ghost writing, finance, facilities, event planning, and everything else under the sun. What other role in an organization covers off on the expansive areas across industry domains? Very few that are officially documented in the corporate world. While there remains more work to be done to elevate the executive assistant role in compensation and respect, the curtain is being drawn on recognition and the value of their capabilities is coming out of the shadows.
The profession is 93% to 97% female and while these women may be the ones holding whole companies together, they are not likely to toot their own horns about it. Therein lies the disconnect between the perception and reality. The results of an EA’s work may seem like invisible and silent magic, but I assure you that it is not magical at all. It is plain, hard work that more people need to see, hear, and acknowledge.
Bonnie Low-Kramen, Is “Executive Assistant” the right career for you?
The article published in HBR by Bonnie Low-Kramen, walks the reader through the beginning of her career, one she never dreamed of to the ultimate outcome, she wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world.
Behind the walls of corporate America, for a number of years, the executive assistant has been regarded as sprinkling fairy dust, creating magic or waving the wand to make things happen. The reality, executive assistants have been at the forefront of the issues organizations face with moving the workforce into a new way to work and keeping pace with technology–they have demonstrated that the role can perform effectively no matter where they are. This has proved to be valuable and now in-demand, stretching across large and small companies seeking to hire a strategic business partner who is capable of creating calm out of chaos beyond the walls of the office. What’s in, making an impact by demonstrating hard work and being recognized for the contribution to the executive’s strategic initiatives. What’s out, or at least a jargon of the past, regarding magic as an executive assistant’s exemplary ability to unfold the impossible to possible almost everyday.
Technology will be the leading driver of the business landscape whether it be in the office or elsewhere. With these changes, we need new tools and resources to help solve for real-time engagement and solutions to deliver messages in our professional and personal lives. If you don’t have Microsoft Flip in your toolbox, check it out here. The app has been around for awhile and is sure to be a favorite for new users who figure out how to sprinkle inspiration with the cool features.
Every time we interact with another person at work, we have a choice to make: do we try to claim as much value as we can, or contribute value without worrying about what we receive in return.
Adam Grant
Behind the walls of corporate America you will find executive assistants who seek out the most effective course of action to help keep the executive aligned to the strategic initiatives and the workforce connected to the core of the organization. Value them!
