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How do you settle in with a new exec?
How do you find a routine and figure out what works?
Having recently started in a wonderful new role
I'm going to share with you exactly how my exec Asher and I have
handled a super successful onboarding.
I've broken our process down into ten steps.
Mutual respect the key to a successful onboarding experience and
working relationship is mutual respect an exec who understands the
value a great EA brings is an exec who will dedicate the time
required to onboard you properly. Without an upfront investment in
bringing you up to speed, you're being set up for failure.
Discuss this at the interview stage and ask what onboarding
will look like. How much time will you have together?
Open attitude.
The second element that will set you up for success is an open
attitude.
Both the EA and the exec being open to learning from one another.
Both parties need to be open to what works and what improvements could
be made. At the interview stage
I was asked about any systems
I like to use to stay on top of things.
And, of course, I discussed Trello.
Turns out Asher is also a huge fan of Trello.
So this got us off on the right foot. An experienced EA and
exec will have lots of ideas about the best way to do things, but
they both need to be open to figuring out the most efficient ways for
them to accomplish their goals.
Communication. Step 3 has to be communication.
No one is a mind reader and effective
communication is the backbone of all successful relationships,
including that of the exec and the EA. After trying a few different
methods
we determined that the best way for us to communicate is a 15-minute
morning meeting a 15-minute afternoon meeting and a weekly hour-long
one to one.
In addition to this
we have spontaneous huddle's throughout the day.
We exchange Slack messages and we
make time for lengthier calls as needed. Between our calls, our very
well
organised, Trello board and Ashes inbox,
we both have a full view of what is happening at all times.
I'll talk about how I manage the inboxes in detail in another video.
So keep an eye out for that.
The day-to-day practicalities.
This is all about learning the job.
What is expected? Where can you be
most useful? Have your exec describe their ideal ways of working.
What time of day do they like particular kinds of meetings?
What is and isn't flexible? Who are the key stakeholders
and what should you know about them?
Perfect
the basics, before you take on larger long-term projects.
Meet your colleagues. Set up meetings, with key stakeholders.
You may not be working for these people directly, but it's important
that you have a good relationship with them.
Ask them about current challenges
they're facing, how they work with your exec and any ideas they have.
Company systems. Become a master of all relevant company systems as
soon as possible. If the company uses SharePoint and you're new to it,
familiarise yourself with it right away, YouTube and LinkedIn Learning
are the best places to do this.
You'll also find that very often,
there will be someone in the company who champions each of the system's.
set meetings with these people and get to know them.
Long-term vision. Have conversations with your exact about their
long-term vision.
What are their goals?
If you understand exactly where they are going, you'll be in a much
better position to help them get there.
After all.
That is the crux of the EA role.
Enabling your exec to achieve their goals.
Find your place.
Yes, your place is with your exec.
But what else are you there to do?
Once you've mastered the basics
it's time to look at the bigger picture.
What longer-term projects will
you be getting involved with?
What are you particularly skilled at that
you would like to handle? what projects need managing?
The thing
I love about startup environments and the EA roll is the ability to get
involved in a wide range of projects.
That means, no day is ever the same and you have countless
opportunities to make use of your existing skills and develop new
ones.
Speak up. Use your one-to-one time to discuss.
what is going well, and what could be better. Doing this from the
beginning means you're able to address little issues as they arise
before
they become big issues. Being comfortable, discussing the good and the
bad is an essential skill for any top shelf, EA. Review and revise.
Be open to feedback know when to push back and don't take it
personally.
You're building the framework for a long healthy, working
relationship.
And the EA/Exec relationship is about as close as it gets.
It can take some time and a few tweaks to get into a rhythm that works
for both of you.
So this is how I've been handling my onboarding, but I would love to
hear from you in the
Comments.
What are your top onboarding tip?
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and I'll catch you in the next video.
Bye for now.