DEVELOPMENT on the things you can ’ t change , rather than directing your energy towards those you can influence .
Five ways to thrive during uncertainty
Situations involving uncertainty , ambiguity and complexity go hand in hand with your EA role . Here , Michelle Gibbings shares her top tips on how to not just manage these but how to influence outcomes , too
THE EXPERT
Michelle Gibbings is a workplace expert . She is the author of ‘ Step Up : How to Build Your Influence at Work ’, ‘ Career Leap : How to Reinvent and Liberate your Career ’ and the new book ‘ Bad Boss : What to do if you work for one , manage one or are one ’.
Every day , media outlets share new predictions and studies on the future of work . And while only some of the stories will become reality , many create uncertainty . Meanwhile , you ’ ll be experiencing the rapid evolution of your EA role as the nature of the work and demands from bosses increase ( check out this issue ’ s flagship feature for more on this ).
You ’ re often at the epicentre of action when a workplace is in crisis . You ’ re problem-solving , managing stakeholders , balancing competing demands and constantly putting the needs of others ahead of your own . Being equipped to navigate these situations is crucial if you want to influence outcomes and secure results while maintaining your mental health and wellbeing .
Here ’ s how to go about it …
Manage your energy During times of uncertainty and crisis , pressure increases . This can become unhealthy when you feel like you have no control , are making little progress and your workload feels overwhelming . It ’ s important to notice when these feelings arise and then take a moment to pause and reflect .
Taking time out helps ensure your actions are more mindful and less reactive . During your reflection , consider what you can and can ’ t control . It ’ s easy to spend loads of time focusing
Don ’ t hold on too tight People who know their purpose can more easily overcome obstacles to forge their way forward . They have the confidence to take a risk and make decisions . In the context of your career , your purpose is your ‘ why ’. When you ’ re clear on why you do what you do , you ’ re better placed to know what to say : “ Yes ” or “ No ” to .
Being clear on your purpose doesn ’ t mean you fixate on one approach or one outcome . In times of change and uncertainty , fixating in this way may mean you unintentionally let other good opportunities pass you by . When you are flexible and adaptable , you swiftly adjust expectations and alter course whilst staying aligned with your purpose .
Be deliberate Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan , in their book Execution : The discipline of getting things done , write about how we don ’ t think ourselves into a new way of acting – we act ourselves into a new way of thinking .
So , to be change-ready , be willing to do things differently and be open to embracing selfmobilisation . With this approach , you seek to change first , rather than waiting for other people to tell you to change .
Think of it as being the early adopter for a new product . Volunteer for opportunities to get involved in fresh ways of working or new projects ; offer to test new products . You ’ ll always be at the forefront of change .
Cultivate your bounce-back mentality There are always times when things don ’ t go to plan – a project behind schedule , a missed appointment or a calculation error . To bounceback from a setback , embrace a mindset where you grow through the challenge . By doing this , you ’ ll focus on the learning rather than the disappointment .
Maintain perspective While work is important , so are other aspects of your life . As the actress Amy Poehler puts it : “ Your career won ’ t take care of you . It won ’ t call you back or introduce you to its parents . Your career will openly flirt with other people while you are around . It will forget your birthday and wreck your car .”
Find time to maintain strong connections with friends and family , exercise and eat well , meditate and laugh – all essential ingredients for releasing work ’ s pressure valve . S
www . michellegibbings . com
Autumn Issue 2022 | Executive PA 59