Administrative Assistant's Update

7 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE the budget works. You have general administrative skills, but you aren't the "go-to" source in your office who helps people get things done. You need more experience and above- average skills to really make it in the C-suite, and you aren't there yet. Passion & Competency – You can do the job—you know you can. You love your job when you are there, but you can turn it off when you get home. You don't want to work week - ends (even if you are paid for them), and you don't want a cell phone with which the boss can contact you 24-7. You may say things like "I'm too old for that any more" or "I don't want a career like that; I want a well-paid job that allows me to be home by a reasonable time." Make the choice not to work in the C-suite. You will quickly resent it when your boss contacts you after hours. That resentment will build and you'll begin to dislike your job, which will increase your stress. You'll soon find that it isn't worth it, and, worse, that resentment will eventually seep into your relationships with your bosses and colleagues. Taking on this level of responsibility will actually eat away at your competency. Although it's an exciting dream and you may be tempted, steer clear of stepping into a job that will chew up so much of your precious family time; no amount of money will give you that time back. Competency & Flexibility – You have the ability to work at the speed and depth the C-suite requires from you, but you just don't love it. You don't have the passion for the job. You have the time and the ability, but other things may distract you. "I don't mind working on Saturdays, but if I go into work this weekend, then I won't be able to go to the beach." You're bored by the job. You don't necessarily find it challenging or, on bad days, even interesting. It's a paycheque, and a good one at that, which is what attracted you in the first place. But you continue to have a nag - ging feeling that you should be doing something else with your life. Stay away from the C-suite. You'll end up stuck in your position because of the money and, because you can do the job, you'll find it increasingly difficult to switch tracks and find what is truly meaningful for you. This is a dead end with your name on it. Don't even get on the path—go and find your true calling. Competency, Passion & Flexibil- ity – Yes! You are the right person to support a C-suite executive. You can manage others, and you won't burn yourself out because your passion will continue to drive you. You have the skills, the desire and the lifestyle that allows you to have, and thrive in, this high-end career. Should you work in the C-suite? Would you be able to handle the job? And even if you could handle it, is it right for you? Now that you know what's required, you can direct your energies toward finding work in the C-suite – or not. There is nothing wrong with either decision because, ultimately, your goal isn't money or power—it's your own happiness. Rhonda Scharf is a certified speaking professional and president of ON THE RIGHT TRACK Training & Consulting. www.on-the-right-track.com Is C-suite right for you? Continued from page 6 Admins in the C-suite What do top executives say about the value of their executive assis- tants? *"She is prompting my thinking based on what we've experienced together. It's knowledge work; it's not task work anymore." Irene Andress, Chief Nursing Executive, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto, about her administrative coordinator, Sue Dunn (AAU, Septem - ber 2017) *"Wow, this is a special person; this is what I need, someone looking out for me, someone keeping things smooth and keeping me cool, and keeping things OK." Greg Tanzola, executive vice-president, Sorbara Group of Companies, about his executive assistant, Cheryl Westcott (AAU, June 2017) *"She plays an invaluable role in allowing me to do so much more." Linda Hassenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation, about her senior ex - ecutive assistant, Andrea Bowman (AAU, January 2017) Rhonda Scharf

• Cover