Unlocking Excellence: How EAs Thrive with Professional Coaching

Earlier in my EA career, I wondered why educated, successful executives hired coaches. It seemed unnecessary when, in my opinion, they must already have it all figured out to be sitting in their position. This was until I hired a great coach, and it literally changed my life.

Coaching is NOT telling people what to do. It’s not forcing someone around to your way of thinking. It is not advising, mentoring, training, or counselling.

A coach believes in untapped potential and the ability for people to grow, change, and make their own best decisions. They believe that you are the expert in your own life. Effective coaches are specifically trained to:

·       Help you line up your actions with your true values, desires and goals.

·       Broaden your thinking and introduce fresh perspectives that encourage you to pursue new paths to success.

·       Help you see patterns in your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that you many have not noticed.

·       Point out blind spots that may be jeopardizing or blocking your success.

So, why would an EA hire a coach? For all the same reasons an executive would hire one!

Skill Enhancement: EAs may want to improve their organizational, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills to better support their executives and contribute to the success of the organization. EAs can also learn to use curiosity, intuition, and anticipation to provide a level of support that makes them excel and stand out from their peers.

Career Advancement: Coaching can help EAs clarify their career goals, identify opportunities for advancement, and develop a plan to achieve them. This could involve acquiring new skills, expanding their professional network, or positioning themselves for promotion.

Managing Workload and Stress: EAs often juggle multiple tasks and deadlines, which can be stressful. Coaching can provide strategies for prioritizing tasks, managing workload effectively, and maintaining work-life balance.

Building Relationships: EAs frequently interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Coaching can help them develop strong interpersonal skills, build rapport, and navigate professional relationships more effectively.

Confidence and Assertiveness: EAs may benefit from coaching to enhance their executive presence including leadership skills, clear communication, confidence, assertiveness, and self-esteem. This can be particularly valuable when interfacing with senior executives or managing challenging situations.

Professional Development: Just like any other professional, EAs can benefit from ongoing learning and development. Coaching can provide opportunities for reflection, self-assessment, and growth in both their personal and professional capacities leading to increased earning potential.

Adapting to Organizational Changes: EAs may face challenges when organizations undergo changes such as restructuring, leadership turnover, or changes in priorities. Coaching can help them adapt to these changes, stay resilient, and continue to excel in their role.

It’s hard to imagine what coaching is like unless you’ve had an experience of it. To be fair, I would never sign a new client unless they have had an experience of coaching with me.

 

Curious about coaching? Simply reach out to me. Let’s carve out an hour so you can have a real experience of coaching and you can see if it’s something that will help you reach your professional and personal potential.

Also, in my experience, employers are often willing to fund EA coaching as part of their professional development. As a bonus, without a doubt it provides a positive impact on the executive who is being supported!