EDITORIAL
Last issue we heard about the evolution of the high-level assistant from the point of view of some talented and insightful EAs – our readers ! This time , it ’ s over to the bosses and others who may not do the role but know it inside out …
Aileen Evans
Group chief executive , Grand Union Housing Group
Providing homes for more than 27,000 people , Aileen ’ s company employs three EAs , one of which is Executive PA Magazine reader Lisa Glowacki “ Lisa works for me directly and our two executive directors each have an EA of their own . We ’ re all very busy and our EAs all support our Board and committees – all three are very fully occupied ! They are the engine that drive the business . At a strategic level this involves so much more than setting up events and minuting meetings , for example . It ’ s about taking the initiative and seeing what ’ s to be done and finding ways to do it . It ’ s about smooth running of the exec team , a bit of troubleshooting and the ability to make things easy for the team .
I ’ ve had a dedicated PA / EA for over 20 years and my understanding of the role and the skills needed to do it has evolved over time . I remember being terrified to ask my very first EA to do anything because I didn ’ t understand what I could ask of her ! Now , Lisa and I discuss what ’ s to do and which of us is going to do it . This is essentially one job carried out by two people .
The changing nature of business and the demands on my time have helped drive change in the EA role – and in mine , too . Flexibility is key and having someone like Lisa who is always developing her skills and finding ways to be of more help is invaluable .
I appointed Lisa in the middle of the pandemic , so we had to get to know one another and the way we worked in a very strange environment . Our relationship is a partnership and in previous times , boundaries were much more defined . I ’ ve always trusted and respected the EAs I ’ ve had the pleasure of working with and all have been influential in their own way . The breadth of influence and the span of delegation is greater now because the business , and the way my role has changed , demands it .
Lisa is a really important part of our window to the external world – I ’ ve lost count of the number of times external people tell me how great she is , and I know that contributes to our success and the perception of our brand . In turn , we put a great value on learning and development at Grand Union . Lisa knows I ’ d support her in anything she wanted to do – she ’ s a self-starter and finds her own learning opportunities , too .
If bosses 30 years ago were to look at the EA role as it is today , I suspect there might be some surprise at the nature and flexibility of the partnership we have , as well as the sheer breadth of the role . Lisa anticipates and thinks for me – she ’ s a complete godsend !” j
Below Aileen Evans ( left ) and her EA , Lisa Glowacki ( right )
EAs can help improve leaders ’ mental health and wellbeing , research shows
Assistants have long been the gatekeepers to bosses ’ diaries but as you ’ ll know , true EA value goes far deeper . Research from Tiger Recruitment shows just that – three-quarters ( 73 %) of surveyed bosses said personal assistants improved their mental wellbeing and reduced stress , while leaders without a PA are reported to work over an additional month per year compared to those with an EA !
Winter Issue 2022 | Executive PA 19