Hi Friends,
Can anybody please guide me on how to become an absolutely efficient and indispensable Executive Assistant to the Chairman/CEO? Lately, I have been working as an EA to the CEO, and he does not communicate with me regarding his appointments, travel, and meetings but expects me to plan his calendar one month in advance. Can anybody please advise on how to manage a CEO's calendar? I am confused. As far as I know, it is supposed to be in coordination with the CEO.
Please, somebody help.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
Can anybody please guide me on how to become an absolutely efficient and indispensable Executive Assistant to the Chairman/CEO? Lately, I have been working as an EA to the CEO, and he does not communicate with me regarding his appointments, travel, and meetings but expects me to plan his calendar one month in advance. Can anybody please advise on how to manage a CEO's calendar? I am confused. As far as I know, it is supposed to be in coordination with the CEO.
Please, somebody help.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Thank you so much Amit. Unfortunately, I have decided to give up on the role of EA/Secretary. My boss turned out to be a totally uncommunicative gentleman; he would require a mind reader rather than an EA. =)
I have now transitioned to a more respectable job as a Medical Transcriptionist. I enjoy a lot of peace of mind, no longer running errands for any hot-tempered individuals, and no more feelings of humiliation. ;D
Nevertheless, I appreciate your response a lot. Take care. Ta!
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
I have now transitioned to a more respectable job as a Medical Transcriptionist. I enjoy a lot of peace of mind, no longer running errands for any hot-tempered individuals, and no more feelings of humiliation. ;D
Nevertheless, I appreciate your response a lot. Take care. Ta!
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
@nath.piu: You have to be really lucky in life with whom you get as your boss! Otherwise, your career will go for a toss! I was an Executive Secretary myself to a Vice President of HR in a famous hospitality group and had some of the worst nightmares of my life, even after giving 100% performance, which was acknowledged by everyone else in the department. Fortunately, I got a break in HR and I hope I never have to be an Executive Secretary again. Some bosses view Executive Secretaries and Executive Assistants as educated office boys/peons/cleaners and sweepers, rather than employees just like themselves.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
19From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Friend, the desperation from your side to become an efficient and indispensable Executive Assistant to the Chairman/CEO is evident. Have you noticed the spelling mistake in "Chairman"?
It's not a matter of eagerness or urge; a person can become indispensable and efficient. But it requires calmness, caution, maturity, and a cool head. I am sorry to say that right now, you are not cool-headed from the way you asked for advice to become efficient and indispensable.
Planning CEO or Chairman's Tours and Meetings
Dear Nath, while planning your CEO or Chairman's tours and meetings, you have to consider the weather, environment, climate, infrastructure, season, availability of your boss's needs, his likes and dislikes, reading his mind, reading his indicative body language, spoken words, and unspoken expectations.
No job gives you a 100% guarantee or satisfaction, but there is always room for improvement on your side. We must learn from experience and mistakes—both are important. Not to undermine your efforts that you must have taken, slogged, and exerted to your limits, but you let go of the opportunity that has come your way to prove and improve yourself.
Life Lessons in Professional Growth
Things unfold in life—sometimes with your efforts and sometimes with your destiny—both taken together, you yourself are "made." I was in an almost similar role where initially it felt like the sky would fall on me, but with time, I realized that we are all human beings, and sincerity and hard work always pay off—sometimes late, sometimes too late, sometimes not at all. But to every act and effort of yours, there is always a silent spectator—at least yourself—to judge and let you have a good sleep.
Boy, have patience and never ever give up the efforts. If you think your current job is exactly what you wanted from life, you are either in your slumber sleep or do not want to accept reality. No job in the world is crafted for the specific employee. And that's why so many of us are employed—sometimes in the jobs that we like and sometimes in the jobs that don't like us.
Regards.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(3)
Amend(0)
It's not a matter of eagerness or urge; a person can become indispensable and efficient. But it requires calmness, caution, maturity, and a cool head. I am sorry to say that right now, you are not cool-headed from the way you asked for advice to become efficient and indispensable.
Planning CEO or Chairman's Tours and Meetings
Dear Nath, while planning your CEO or Chairman's tours and meetings, you have to consider the weather, environment, climate, infrastructure, season, availability of your boss's needs, his likes and dislikes, reading his mind, reading his indicative body language, spoken words, and unspoken expectations.
No job gives you a 100% guarantee or satisfaction, but there is always room for improvement on your side. We must learn from experience and mistakes—both are important. Not to undermine your efforts that you must have taken, slogged, and exerted to your limits, but you let go of the opportunity that has come your way to prove and improve yourself.
Life Lessons in Professional Growth
Things unfold in life—sometimes with your efforts and sometimes with your destiny—both taken together, you yourself are "made." I was in an almost similar role where initially it felt like the sky would fall on me, but with time, I realized that we are all human beings, and sincerity and hard work always pay off—sometimes late, sometimes too late, sometimes not at all. But to every act and effort of yours, there is always a silent spectator—at least yourself—to judge and let you have a good sleep.
Boy, have patience and never ever give up the efforts. If you think your current job is exactly what you wanted from life, you are either in your slumber sleep or do not want to accept reality. No job in the world is crafted for the specific employee. And that's why so many of us are employed—sometimes in the jobs that we like and sometimes in the jobs that don't like us.
Regards.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(3)Amend(0)
I too agree with your point. Though I have been working in another position, basically, I am interested in an EA position. As you have mentioned, an EA should understand their boss's wants on their own because the boss needs EA support to run without any hurdles, like what children expect from their caretaker, guardian, or parents.
From India, Chennai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
From India, Chennai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)CiteHR is an AI-augmented HR knowledge and collaboration platform, enabling HR professionals to solve real-world challenges, validate decisions, and stay ahead through collective intelligence and machine-enhanced guidance. Join Our Platform.
Special Challenges in Career Management - PPT 12.ppt
Management+tool s+executive's+g uide+2007.pdf