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).
Issue link: https://digital.hrreporter.com/i/1083639
5 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE Coaching: Not just for executives By Helen Latimer I'm a performance and transition coach so you won't be surprised when I tell you that I believe everyone can benefit from working with a coach. But when I talk to people about coaching, two questions come up of- ten: Isn't coaching just for executives? Why should I pay a coach when I can do it on my own? Executives are big fans of working with coaches. They are results-orient- ed by nature and understand that an investment in coaching is going to pay for itself: in the achievement of goals, in the refinement of a skill, in less stress and increased productivity. But wouldn't we all like to achieve these kinds of successes? Coaches help clients to set goals that are realistic and to create a plan of action that includes a series of small, achievable steps rather than one big, audacious goal. Coaching helps keep you on track – coach as accountability partner. Knowing you'll be talking with your coach about your progress can be the motivator you need to make sure you have something to share. It can be hard to keep working towards our goals when life gets busy especially if we're trying to do it on our own. We can be really hard on ourselves and if we slip up, it can derail us. If you think working with a coach might be right for you, I recommend talking to a few coaches before decid - ing whom you want to work with – you want to feel comfortable with your coach. Referrals from trusted members of your network are a great way to find a coach. Good coaches will offer an initial consultation at no charge to you. The consultation is your chance to get to know the coach, assess how you feel about them, get your questions answered. This is also the chance for the coach to get to know you and understand what you're hoping to ac - complish by working with them. Coaching sessions are often held using video-chat software (like Sky- pe). Meeting face-to-face is wonderful but can increase the cost and coach- ing isn't cheap: $100- $200 per hour depending on the coach. Coaching is an investment in you so consider the return on your investment if you earn that promotion, snag that new job, improve your performance or fall in love with your work again! Coaching sessions involve a lot of questions: • What will success look like? • What have you tried in the past? What worked? What didn't? • What would be the easiest first step for you to take? By when do you think you would be able to take that first step? • What advice would you give to your best friend if they were in the same situation? You'll notice the coach is not tell- ing you what to do. They are using questions to help you find the answers within yourself. They're helping you to feel empowered to take necessary action. Recently I helped a client change her perspective on feedback she re- ceived during her performance review. She's now ready for a productive dis- cussion with her manager about her professional development plan. Working with a coach can be a very smart investment in you! Helen Latimer is a dynamic keynote speaker, coach and facilitator/workshop leader. She loves to share her expertise on mentoring, networking, personal branding and career development in pursuit of her goal of having everyone love their work. Principal of 925 Resources, www.925resources.com, helen@925resources.com Mistakes are OK; just don't make the same one again Do you just hate to make mistakes? What's worse than making them is failing to learn from them, observes Travis Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0. He cites a study that found that people fall into two camps when it comes to mistakes: those with a fixed mind-set ("I'll never be good at it.") and those with a growth mind-set ("Let's see what I did wrong so I won't do it again."). Some of the mistakes Bradberry calls out in a recent LinkedIn post ("Ten Mistakes Smart People Never Make Twice"): trying to change someone; trying to please everyone; losing sight of the big picture; not doing your homework; trying to be someone you're not; playing the victim; operating without a budget; failing to delay gratification. Helen Latimer