FLASHBACK people and making their lives easier and can ’ t imagine ever doing anything else . I see myself as a great ambassador for the younger generation who may be wanting to branch out into the EA world .”
as being indispensable . Today ’ s EA is a specialist and a professional , confident in who they are and what they do .
“ The role ’ s profile within the corporate environment has rocketed and the assistant is now seen as an integral part of the C-Suite team . Years ago , soft skills weren ’ t part of the language used to describe the prerequisites for a position within the executive suite but today they ’ re highly sought after . The ability to communicate effectively and collaborate to ensure positive outcomes is par for the course , as is being able to represent the executive in a highly professional manner .
“ I was in the workforce for more than 40 years , of which about 20 were spent as an EA / office manager . When it was time to move on , I decided to use my skills by starting up a small business . Perhaps other EAs in the future will too , confidently redirect their career in some shape or form . Wherever they decide to invest their energies and whatever they decide their future will look like , I know for sure that today ’ s diligent and determined EAs will have the transferrable skills , expertise and courage to take up any challenge .”
Catherine Middleton
Owner and executive director at OFFICE Dynamics Adelaide
With a career spanning more years than this magazine has been in print , Catherine Middleton has gone from ‘ Girl Friday ’ to secretary to PA to EA … And now she ’ s a business owner . Would the EAs of 30 + years ago have had the confidence to go it alone ?
“ The field of administration has changed tenfold from those early days of subservience . Taking shorthand , typing , making tea and generally being the ‘ Girl Friday ’ meant you did as you were told and that was that . We ’ re talking fifty years ago when I first commenced my working life , by the way .
“ Thinking back thirty years , I ’ d just started the role that would change my life – secretary to the general manager of an insurance company . I could now start to design the career I ’ d always aspired to but didn ’ t know was possible . Secretaries were , of course , the precursor of a PA . Then came the title of EA , if you did in fact support the CEO .
“ The role started to grow from that time onwards as better tech allowed the assistant to be involved in a greater scope of operational administrative matters pertaining to their boss . They were no longer stereotyped as ‘ just a secretary ’.
“ As our expertise grew , so did our confidence – and our profiles . We were the go-to person for internal and external stakeholders . Those working in the administrative field realised being an assistant was something to aspire to . Meanwhile , executives and managers revaluated how they saw the role and how it could be better managed to add more value to the organisation .
“ This growth continued steadily over the last thirty years to where it sits today . Now the role is sometimes referred to as a ‘ strategic partner ’ and EAs are generally regarded
Zoë Robinson
Head of strategic projects at nib nz
Zoë is a seasoned people leader with 20 years ’ experience working alongside C-Suite executives . Her focus is on ensuring the business delivers its strategic goals while creating a premium workplace experience , bringing people together and keeping teams connected .
“ I genuinely think we have one the best jobs . One of the things I love about this role is the opportunity you can create for yourself . We can learn from the most senior people in an organisation – we ’ re effectively being mentored . The scope we can have to absorb their knowledge and experience is invaluable .
“ The best piece of advice I ’ ve ever had is from a partner I worked with . He used to pull me aside if I referred to him as my “ boss ” or if I said I worked “ for ” him . He ’ d say : “ You don ’ t work for me . You work with me .” It was a very strong message and it ’ s something that ’ s stuck .” S
Autumn Issue 2022 | Executive PA 21