Administrative Assistant's Update

January 2019

Focuses on the training and development needs of admin professionals and features topics such as hard skills (software competencies, writing, communication, filing) and soft skills (teamwork, time management, leadership).

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JANUARY 2019 2 Creating a positive work environment Who is responsible for a positive workplace culture? If it isn't valued nor supported day after day by the organization's leaders, it isn't going to happen. That's clearly the view of Vero- nique James, CEO of The James Agency, which specializes in con- sumer advertising, public relations and digital marketing and has been honoured nationally in the U.S. for its workplace culture. A lot is being asked of today's employees, she says, and as a wife and mother she is well aware of the personal and professional challenges her employees face. A positive work environment, she contends, enhances creativity, productivity and happiness while reducing stress levels, including the misery caused by bad behaviours (for example, see "Neutralizing the bully," page 1). Below are seven tips she offers in an article that recently appeared in Inc.com. They were aimed at organi - zation leaders, but they are applicable as well to administrative professionals who have influence within their own teams as well as with their execs. 1. Begin with gratitude� Give people "a vehicle to express appreciation for one another in a public forum," she advises, something her com- pany does at the beginning of each week in a "15-minute all-hands team meeting where the first item on the agenda is team kudos." 2. Create a safe environment� Re- spect every idea, "whether it's from an intern or a tenured senior team member," she suggests. Find ways to neutralize or eliminate negative personalities and "lead with hon- esty, integrity and vulnerability to help your employees feel safe." 3. Don't leave your dirty dishes in the sink� Interpreted, this means don't leave a mess of any kind for others to have to clean up. Don't cost others time, because "time is our most valuable currency." 4. There are only opportunities in business, not problems� Some - times even the smallest issues can be overblown. Respond, says James, by viewing the problem as "an opportunity to reflect, analyze and evaluate." 5. Consistency is key� Rather than trying on "the latest professional culture craze" or workplace perks, says James, her firm has found that consistency nurtures its cultural balance. 6. Encourage positive thinking� "Even when things seem to be spinning out of control or we didn't achieve the result we anticipated," says James, "positive thinking will eventually cultivate positive outcomes." 7. Don't sacrifice the important for the urgent� "It's easy to punt team one-on-ones for an urgent client call or meeting, but that connec - tion with your team is crucial to maintaining a positive workplace culture," James emphasizes. When leaders aren't regularly connect- ing with the team, "the mission, vision and energy of the business can quickly dilute and degrade your cultural fibre." E D I TO R ' S N OT E George Pearson Administrative Assistant's Update is published once a month by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Director, Media Solutions, Canada: Karen Lorimer Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Todd Humber Editor: George Pearson george@adminupdate.ca Associate Editor: Jennifer Lewington jennifer@adminupdate.ca EDITORIAL OFFICE (519) 271-6000 Administrative Assistant's Update Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. 1 Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road Toronto, ON M1T 3V4 CUSTOMER SERVICE (416) 609-3800 (800) 387-5164 customersupport.legaltaxcanada @tr.com Contents copyright. All rights reserved. © 2019 Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. Contents may not be reproduced without written permission. Brief extracts may be made with due acknowledgement. Annual subscription: $199. Publications Mail Registration No. 40065782 GST# 897176350 UPDATE Administrative Assistant's Time on your hands? Do you sometimes find yourself with dead time (canceled meetings, tech- nical problems, for example)? Don't dither, says the team at Mind Tools, which offers skills-building resources. Decide quickly what you're going to do. Some suggestions: Audit your to-do list; recheck your work; develop a skill; mentor a colleague; help out a co-worker.

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