YOUR REVIEW YOUR REVIEW
Getting Your People to Step Up
by Shivani Gupta
“ My role often involves encouraging committee members to actively contribute to the project ’ s success . However , it ’ s common for some members to take on most of the workload while others contribute very little . I hoped to gain strategies from this book to encourage those who hang back to step up . The book is divided into two parts . The first emphasises the importance of having the right people on the team and creating a shared vision . The second part focuses on maintaining motivation and momentum , especially when initial enthusiasm wanes . One key takeaway was that having passionate , engaged people on the team is crucial – but passion without discipline is ineffective . So , brainstorming is great , but you also need people who will do the hard work to make ideas a reality . I also learned that facilitating knowledge transfer is essential . If a key team member leaves , having a process in place to ensure the effective transition of critical knowledge is vital . The author promoted managers as coaches , which encourages team members to take more ownership , become self-sufficient , and develop the confidence to solve problems and come up with solutions . Overall , this book has provided me with helpful strategies for project management and coordination . The insights on creating a shared vision , understanding team members ’ passions , and facilitating knowledge transfer were particularly valuable . I believe this book is a great resource for any PA / EA looking to enhance their leadership skills and drive team success .”
Fiona is an EA at CSL Innovation Pty Ltd
Big Moments by Melissa Sloan
“ When I left school more than 30 years ago ( before the internet was so widely available ) I often found myself wishing for a book that could guide me through key life decisions like career choices , managing relationships and handling finances . Big Moments is it ; a well-organised and practical guide for approaching significant decisions with confidence and clarity . For EAs , Big Moments offers valuable perspectives that can easily translate into work . We often manage not only our own decisions but also support our execs through major professional and personal choices . The book ’ s insights on prioritising , staying focused and making informed decisions is particularly useful for helping your boss navigate busy schedules or challenging circumstances . Sloan ’ s thoughtful approach to critical crossroads ’ encourages readers to reflect and take deliberate steps forward – an approach that EAs can adopt when supporting their leaders . This proactive mindset is crucial for those who need to help execs stay on top of important matters while maintaining balance and perspective . While it ’ s true that much of the content in Big Moments could be found online , Sloan ’ s strength lies in bringing everything together into one cohesive and curated resource . For individuals and those in supportive roles , the book serves as a valuable companion for handling life ’ s big milestones with greater ease and confidence .”
Jordan Bryan is school manager at The University of Melbourne
Summer Issue 2025 | Executive PA 57