DEVELOPMENT
3 essential EA traits post lockdown
As we remerge from lockdown , businesses are going to continue to be challenged in finding new rhythms . Now more than ever , three traits will prove invaluable for success in your roles says Mark Carter
I recall writing a description of someone in my circle years ago when introducing her to a third party . EA by day , and a different kind of E . A by night : an Extraordinary Angel .
Okay , granted , I was being biased . That said , I ’ ve come to learn that EAs and PAs are assuredly armed with traits somewhat akin to heavenly messengers . They ’ re divine defenders of discretion , seraphim of acceptance , and generally strong , yet empathetic , celestial proponents of civility and respectful discourse .
Well , as we look to effectively ramp up business after challenging periods , your peers require refined angelic gifts in relation to three specific skills .
Problem solving It ’ s human to see our world as it is , not necessarily as we ’ d wish it to be . Problems and solutions co-exist . We can ’ t have one without the other . A potentially self-sabotaging flaw associated with humans is to remain fixated purely on this evidence of ‘ what is ’: also known as ‘ the problem ’!
What ’ s more , we believe we ’ ve shifted our focus or mindset yet can ’ t fathom why we still feel stressed or under significant duress . Albert Einstein cited if he had an hour to resolve a problem , he ’ d leverage the first 55 minutes breaking down and understanding the problem , then in the last five he ’ d fully pivot to solutions . This accurately implies that the quality of solutions is linked to properly understanding the challenges at hand . If we keep describing things that haven ’ t worked , limitations of resources at hand or external forces that act as roadblocks , our minds remain fixated on problematic thinking .
58 Chief of Staff | Issue 2 2020