True recognition for any profession occurs when organisations fully appreciate the real value it brings. As executive assistants (EAs), you know that being seen merely as support staff doesn’t reflect the strategic importance of your role. However; to be recognised as essential partners in the success of your organisations, YOU must take the initiative—NO ONE ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.
It’s up to YOU, the executive assistant community, to raise the profile of your profession and ensure that your contributions are properly understood and valued, especially by HR departments.
So how do you achieve the recognition that the profession so richly deserves?
Advocate for Professional Development: One of the most effective ways to elevate the profile of your profession is through continuous professional development. By actively pursuing advanced certifications, attending industry conferences, and engaging in ongoing education, you can demonstrate your commitment to excellence and your ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the business world. Encourage your organisations to invest in these opportunities—not only to enhance your skills but also to showcase your potential for taking on more strategic roles.
A key resource that can aid in your professional development is the Global Skills Matrix developed by the World Administrators Alliance. This matrix offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the different levels of skills and competencies required in administrative roles across the globe. By aligning your career development with the Global Skills Matrix, you can clearly demonstrate your expertise and progression to your organisation. It provides a standardised way to articulate the value of your role, making it easier for HR and leadership to understand the strategic importance of your position.
By sharing your achievements, certifications, and alignment with the Global Skills Matrix with your peers and supervisors, you can build a compelling case for the critical role you play within the organisation. This not only elevates you individually but also sets a higher standard for your profession as a whole.
Create and Share Success Stories: Success stories are powerful tools for demonstrating the impact you have on business outcomes, particularly where it has assisted the bottom line. As a community, actively seek out and document instances where your work has led to significant achievements, such as streamlining operations, improving executive productivity, or facilitating successful project completions. Share these case studies within your professional networks, at industry events, or even through organisational newsletters.
By highlighting the tangible results of your efforts, you can shift perceptions and show that you are not just support staff, but essential contributors to your organisation’s success. These stories also serve as valuable resources for HR departments to better understand the multifaceted nature of your role.
Engage in Cross-Departmental Collaboration: You often have a unique vantage point within your organisation, working closely with executives across various departments. This broad exposure allows you to act as bridges between different teams, facilitating communication and collaboration. By taking the initiative to engage in cross-departmental projects and offering insights from your perspective, you can demonstrate your strategic value and deepen your integration into the organisational fabric.
When you proactively participate in these initiatives, you position yourselves as indispensable resources who offer more than just administrative support. This not only enhances your profile but also helps to redefine your role in the eyes of HR and other departments.
Leverage Networking Opportunities: Networking is a powerful tool for professional growth and recognition. By building strong relationships with peers, industry leaders, and key decision-makers within your organisations, you can raise awareness of your role and influence. Participate in professional associations, join online communities, and attend industry events to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and advocate for your profession.
Through networking, you can also identify trends and best practices to bring back to your organisations, further demonstrating your proactive approach to continuous improvement. The visibility gained from networking can lead to increased recognition and respect from both colleagues and leadership.
Educate HR and Leadership on the EA Role: One of the challenges facing your profession is a lack of understanding among HR departments and organisational leadership about the full scope of your role. You can take a proactive approach by initiating conversations with HR and leadership to discuss your responsibilities, contributions, and potential for further impact.
Develop clear job descriptions, set performance metrics, and outline career progression paths to help HR professionals better understand and support the growth of your role. Additionally, collaborate with HR to create onboarding and training programmes that highlight the strategic aspects of your role, ensuring that new hires and current employees alike recognise the value you bring to the organisation.
Champion the EA Brand Internally: Branding isn’t just for products—it’s crucial for professions too. Work together to build and promote a strong brand identity for your profession within your organisations. This could involve creating internal EA groups or committees that focus on professional development, best practices, and innovation within your role. By collectively championing your brand, you can advocate for the recognition and resources necessary to excel.
Internally, create visibility through regular updates, presentations, and reports that highlight your contributions. By consistently communicating your value, you can reinforce your importance to the organisation and ensure that your role is seen as integral to the company’s success.
Utilise Social Media and Digital Platforms: Social media and other online platforms offer you a powerful means to raise your profile. By sharing insights, achievements, and industry knowledge on platforms like LinkedIn, you can position yourselves as thought leaders and subject matter experts. This not only enhances your individual reputations but also elevates your profession as a whole.
You can also use these platforms to connect with other professionals, participate in discussions, and stay informed about industry trends. By actively engaging in online communities, you contribute to the broader conversation about the evolution of your role and help shape its future.
As the executive assistant community, you have a tremendous opportunity to redefine and elevate the perception of your profession. By taking proactive steps such as advocating for professional development, sharing success stories, engaging in cross-departmental collaboration, leveraging networking opportunities, educating HR and leadership, championing the EA brand internally, and utilising digital platforms, you can ensure that your role is recognised as a vital component of organisational success. As you continue to demonstrate your value, you will not only enhance your own careers but also pave the way for the next generation of executive assistants to thrive.
About the Author: Richard Arnott, BA, FInatAM, FIToL, is a Director of BMTG (UK) Ltd, and the author and lead presenter of the groundbreaking, globally recognised Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant: ACEA® program. Richard also sits on the editorial board of Lucy Brazier OBE’s Executive Support Magazine.
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