DEVELOPMENT
is your own belief in your abilities . Including appreciation of your own value , exerting control over ones own motivation and choices , owning and using these as a driving force for good and greatness regardless the circumstances or influence of others around . To role up your sleeves and not be shy dissecting , re-arranging or creating your world in a manner with which you ’ re willing to back yourself and your own talents .
Da Vinci mastered many fields ( mathematics , engineering , literature , anatomy , astronomy , geology , architecture , sculpting and painting ) in the same way that EAs and PAs must toggle many hats . This is worth noting as , speaking with EAs in my circle , it ’ s not uncommon to hear there are times their own continued development is not always seen as a priority .
So , don ’ t be shy asking , or reminding , stakeholders the variety of skills you ’ re expected to master are equally strong in terms of a business case as other projects weaved throughout any organisation . Learning is an individual pathway . Everyone requires a development plan , so build a business case if necessary and ask to go to that course or be included in programs for personal and professional growth . Asking and expecting such support radiates self-efficacy and self-worth .
Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem Where self-efficacy is a belief in your own abilities ( something that comes naturally when one is continually invested in development and improving ones skills ), self-esteem is appreciating oneself regardless of circumstances .
I often use Mahatma Gandhi as an epitome of self-esteem spending a lifetime challenging the status quo of human rights . From being allowed to ride first class on trains in South Africa , or walk on the footpaths , to a lifelong mission of ‘ satyagraha ’ ( non-violent protest ), which ultimately led to the independence of India from British Empiric rule in 1947 . Any beliefs or ideas we carry or hold onto about ourselves are merely stories we ’ ve told ourselves for a long time . If we wish to improve our self-esteem an easy way to do so is to begin telling ourselves kinder or different stories .
Positive affirmations repeated regularly help rewire self image . There ’ s truth to the idea that ‘ I am ’ are two of the most powerful words in the universe . For whatever you populate after them triggers manifestation into your reality . Rather than react to your world , or what others say , identify and recognise your own great qualities and tell yourself more of that .
Simultaneously , if we buy into the notion that our external world acts as a mirror , be sure to regularly look for and authentically compliment qualities and traits you respect , appreciate and admire in others . It ’ s a reflection of similarly good qualities you see and continually sculpt within yourself .
Adopt the divine nature of Audrey In my latest book , ‘ Add Value ’, a component of service value is dedicated to the dichotomy of considering self in addition to others . Self-care and selfishness aren ’ t the same thing . Self-care is putting on your own oxygen mask first and then helping others . Selfishness is putting on your oxygen mask , then watching others without helping . In extreme cases it ’ s putting on your own mask , then looking for opportunistic ways to further benefit yourself . Perhaps hoarding masks or capitalising as others struggle . You get the idea ! The metaphor for selfishly hoarding applies here if deliberately holding back information , effort or service for personal gain or capitalising one ’ s career through politicking . If we don ’ t first take care of ourselves , we ’ re not necessarily equipped to offer a great service to others .
Audrey Hepburn was an enchanting celebrity , yet her dedication to humanitarian efforts , especially later in life , would have made for a fantastic learning and development professional . When first delivering an overview of my ‘ Add Value ’ model at TEDxCasey , it was an Audrey quote that sprung to mind aligning with the theme of two hands . She once said , “ As you grow older you will discover you have two hands ; one for helping yourself , the other for helping others .”
EAs , by very nature of their positions ( perhaps also personas ) are frequent nurturers , listening ears and givers , problem solvers , organisers , innovators , or even culture and change instigators . Amidst increased demands it ’ s easy to find both those hands offered externally for the benefit of others . Make sure not to do so at the expense of nurturing yourself .
There are a handful of other Audrey-isms I ’ m sure may resonate to help on this path . For example we can add by ‘ believing in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong ’. To successfully toggle so many tasks or stakeholders requires strength : strength of mind to remain focussed or even to make a stand , learning to say no , politely yet firmly , and mean it ! How often are you tapped on the shoulder ‘ just for a minute ’? Then those minutes turn to thirty . Before you know it the day , week , month is done . Learning to say no is strength and an ongoing commitment to priorities keeping one ’ s hand firmly on the helm of self-help .
Perhaps one of the best Audrey observations to boost self-confidence , self-esteem and self-worth has become almost as iconic as the star herself : “ Nothing is impossible , the word itself says , ‘ I ’ m possible ’.” S
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Summer Issue 2021 | Executive PA 55