FEBRUARY 2017
P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T F O R C A N A D A ' S O F F I C E S U P P O R T S T A F F
Administrative
Assistant's
UPDATE UPDATE
PM
#40065782
INSIDE
Feedback for colleagues � � � 2
Putting thought into comments
reinforces specific behaviours
Social selling on LinkedIn � � 3
Leverage social media to build
and deepen business relationships
"Never yell at me!" � � � � � � � 5
One EA's experience with a put-
down in front of colleagues
EA describes career path � � � 6
A trip through hospitality
industry before "administration
chose me"
By Jennifer Lewington
With their usually close relationship
with the boss, admin professionals
are uniquely qualified to offer
informed insights to the executive
on his or her behaviour and
performance – and its impact on an
organization's success.
But giving and receiving feedback
is difficult at the best of times.
"If you have
that assistant who
is aware of the
power of feedback
and can give it to
you at the right
time, and the right
way, you are so far
ahead," says Stéphane Brutus, a long-
time researcher on organizational
feedback and currently interim dean
of the John Molson School of Business
at Concordia University.
He describes the partnership be
-
tween the boss and the admin profes-
sional as "a privileged relationship"
that enables the two parties to work
together closely, share confidential
matters and lean on each other for
mutual support.
But genuine feedback wanes as
an executive moves up the corporate
ladder, according to Brutus, because
those around the leader are unwill-
ing or unable to discuss troublesome
behaviour.
The assistant who constructively
shares observations and insights with
the boss, he adds, "is almost the one
last feedback lifeline the leader has."
Mutual trust is one building block
required for a difficult conversation to
end constructively, say admin profes-
sionals.
Workplace
solidarity good
for business
A 2014 report by TINYpulse
revealed that the top reason for
employees to go the extra mile is
peer motivation and camaraderie
(money and benefits only reaching
seventh place).
Giving positive feedback is a
simple way to show appreciation to
your co-workers and foster positive
relations. Recognizing each other's
achievements can create a strong
feeling of acceptance and solidarity.
Furthermore, when you need
to give colleagues constructive
feedback they'll be more receptive
to it if they see you also notice their
achievements, promoting open,
honest communication.
blog.impraise.com
Feedback fuels 'privileged'
admin-executive bond
Credit: racorn (Shutterstock)
Continued on page 4
Stéphane Brutus
