2 Responses

1. This small workshop for secretaries and PA’s with their bosses w
   The exercise below was the core of a small workshop for bosses and secretaries/PA’s.

   In two groups (one of managers and one of secretaries)

   1) go round the group (10 min in total) describing what is already going well in your “team of two”

   2) Individually list “Things you could do to help your boss or secretary” and “Things your boss or secretary could do to help you”. Make them doable and word your requests positively! Take 15 minutes for this.

   3) Share the key ideas from this in your group and amend your own lists if you wish. You may get a good idea from your colleagues. Take 10 minutes for this.

   4)Form pairs of pairs. Take 20 minutes for the members of each team of two to exchange their lists, respond to the requests and discuss how they can help each other make progress. While one pair works the other pair observes and pays attention. Then exchange roles for another 20 minutes.

   There is full design for the morning here http://www.nickheap.co.uk/articles.asp?ART_ID=183 and a link to the team of two model.

   This worked well when there is already a reasonably good relationship between the PA/secretary and the manager. In one case, where there was a very poor realtionship, it failed for one pair as neither party were willing to be constructive.

2. skills and value
   I’ve designed and been running inhouse and public, national and international programmes for secretaries and exec PAs over a good many years. While their relationship with their “boss” is obviously important, it’s also very key for their development to get them to think about their role and contribution in the context of the wider department / organisation. This helps to focus on the value they bring through the skills they use; and different skills they need to develop and use to add greater value. Let me know if you want some specific examples of what I include in a programme: clare.howard@academy28.com