BOSSES j
( and remember you will work with some good bosses and some not so good bosses , and you ’ ll work with some awesome bosses !) is about understanding where they ’ re coming from and identifying them . What is their level of intent ? What is their level of self awareness ? Once you know this , you can put strategies in place to help you cope . So , as an employee working for that person , you can make the most of the environment that you ’ re in .
Naomi : Trust is fundamental to that relationship working . How can we build trust to gain respect between the boss and the EA ?
Michelle : You ’ re right , trust is fundamental . If your boss doesn ’ t have trust in you , they ’ re not going to share ideas with you . They ’ re not going to open up about how they ’ re feeling . But the more they trust you , the more you ’ re in that inner sanctum . And that makes it easier for you to do your job , because you don ’ t have to second guess where they are coming from .
When I think about trust and building trust , I use an acronym that Rene Brown ( a best-selling author ) uses . It is BRAVING , which stands for Boundaries , Reliability , Accountability , The Vault , Integrity , Non-judgement and Generosity .
Once you have these building blocks of trust , when you have those contentious moments ( where perhaps your boss is driving you a little nuts or you feel they ’ re being unreasonable or not giving you clarity ) you can go into the conversation with something like : “ I really want to work effectively with you but I feel there are some elements missing . Are you open to a conversation about how we can work together ?” That conversation is easier to do when those elements of trust are in place .
BRAVING EXPLAINED
Boundaries One of the key elements to building trust is having boundaries – saying what ’ s ok and what ’ s not ok .
Reliability How you work together and being reliable in the work you do . So , when you say you ’ re going to deliver something , you actually deliver it .
Accountability Being accountable , so that if something hasn ’ t worked out you take accountability for your mistakes .
The Vault If someone shares in confidence with you , you don ’ t then share it with someone else .
Integrity You understand who you are and what you stand for , you back yourself and what you believe in .
Non-judgement It ’ s not about judging others , which is difficult because humans are built to judge , but firstly assuming that someone is doing their best .
Generosity That follows on from non-judgement , in that you have a generous interpretation of a colleague ’ s actions .
Naomi : Whether we ’ re an old hand or a newbie , what is one piece of advice you could offer the cohort out there ?
THE EXPERT
Michelle Gibbings michellegibbings
Michelle Gibbings is a workplace expert and regular Executive PA contributor . Starting in federal government , she moved over to the commercial sector where she built a strong corporate career . Michelle is familiar with the challenges and opportunities of an EA having been one herself .
She launched her leadership business after several years in senior management positions . Here , she has been responsible for designing and delivering strategies for change , as well as development and engagement within the organisations she worked for . Today Michelle ’ s business works with teams to help create connections , purpose and value .
Michelle has written three books and regularly speaks at conferences and events worldwide .
THE EXPERT
Naomi Spinks naomi-spinks-a2136156
Naomi is executive assistant to the chief executive – Australia & New Zealand at AECOM , a global infrastructure consulting business with a turnover last year of $ 14.4 billion in 2023 .
This year AECOM was named by Ethisphere as one of World ’ s Most Ethical Companies for its commitment to integrity and making a positive impact . And it was listed as one of the ‘ World ’ s Most Admired Companies ’ for the tenth consecutive year by Fortune magazine .
Naomi has extensive corporate experience , and on her Linkedin profile she credits her superpowers for enabling her to ‘ get the job done ’ by applying her experience , pragmatism and innovation to everyday business management , and broad-based stakeholder relationships .
Michelle : I think the key thing is ‘ obsess about presence ’. How are you showing up ? How are you focussing and how are you paying attention to the person in front of you ? What energy do you bring into a room ?
People often say to me : “ It doesn ’ t matter what you wear .” And I say that it shouldn ’ t … But it does . How you turn up to a room says something about who you are . So be clear about that . Show who you are , what you stand for and how you want people to think about you .
When you obsess about presence it means you also focus on the people around you . You are saying to them , both verbally and often non-verbally through behaviour and focus , that they matter to you .
Naomi : Thank you . We really appreciate your time , Michelle . I ’ ve got your book Bad Boss , which offers some great advice for readers on common sense and how to identify and manage an ineffective leader . Whether our readers have a bad boss or think they might be one themselves , this book is key to evolving and self-guiding through that self-awareness that you were talking about earlier . S
To see the full video interview between Naomi and Michelle visit executivepa . com / dealing-with-a-bad-boss-words-with-michellegibbings or scan the QR code
26 Executive PA | Winter Issue 2024