Tenfold Australia was established in 2020 to ‘tenfold Australia’s impact for a better world’.
They describe themselves as a 21st century multinational leadership forum. The company name reflects their purpose to tenfold Australia’s impact for a better world.
Episode 135 is my interview with Dani Matthews, Chief Experience Officer (CXO) and Richard (Tricky) Mableson, Chief Success Officer (CSO) of Tenfold Australia.
Commencing operations in 2020, Tenfold Australia provides a range of digital and in-person forums for the Australian based leaders of global companies.
A core component of the forums is a monthly EA 'pod' where the Executive Assistants of the member business leaders meet. Tenfold Australia sees the EA as part of the leadership team and are committed to supporting and enabling their growth through these monthly meetings (virtual and in person).
Listen to the episode to hear about what Dani and Tricky have observed makes an indispensable EA, how to improve your capacity to be a strategic thinker, and how the EAs they interact with at Tenfold Australia have adapted and pivoted to ensure they remain indispensable despite the impact of remote working and reduced travel for their business leaders.
https://www.tenfoldaustralia.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenfoldaustralia/
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2020/heart-ceo-effectiveness
It's been a month between podcast episodes and for that I am truly sorry.
Leaving you, my lovely listener in the lurch isn't a good feeling. But sadly, there's been a bit going on for me and unfortunately I haven't felt capable of showing up on the podcast.
That's changing today. I'm back and I want to be my authentic self and share what's been going on for me.
I didn't invent the phrase 'hope is not a strategy' but I love it and I think it's particularly relevant for assistants who find themselves trapped in a hope-based strategy when it comes to asking for what they want and what they need AND asking for what their boss wants and needs.
In this episode I explore the topic of self advocacy and how it is one area where being comfortable engaging in difficult conversations is an essential Power Skill that I want you to invest energy in developing.
If you'd like to get some practical tips and tactics on how you can engage in difficult conversations with more ease and confidence you want to register for my upcoming masterclass on this hot topic for assistants.
Register here: http://bit.ly/linchpinskills1
This webinar will be held live on April 29th @ 12 midday AEST and the link to the recording emailed following the event to those who have registered.
No one likes a difficult conversation (including me). Being able to engage in challenging conversations is a crucial Power Skill that I train assistants in.
There are many people who avoid them altogether but the consequences of this can be enormous and it's definitely something that will get in the way of you being perceived as a Linchpin Assistant.
If you're someone who cares about creating and maintaining healthy and happy relationships, both at work as well as in your personal life, you know that sometimes an uncomfortable conversation is necessary.
In a recent speaking engagement I asked assistants for the one Power Skill they struggle with the most....and engaging in difficult conversations was overwhelmingly nominated as a problem area. So in this episode I share:
Resources discussed in this episode:
Georgia Murch can be found here: https://georgiamurch.com/blogs/
Listen to Episode 113 and 55 for more tools and tactics to help you engage in difficult conversations and power up this Power Skill.
Join the waitlist for the Empowered Assistant's Academy here: http://bit.ly/eaacademywaitlist
A few years back I started surveying business leaders to get their perspective on the role of the EA and how their EA enabled their leadership and effectiveness. The results continue to be interesting.
In this episode I share a couple of the insights. Interestingly whilst leaders SAY they want their EA to demonstrate leadership traits, significantly less respondents agreed with statements that bear out what it LOOKS like for an assistant to be treated as part of the leadership team. This disconnect is something I know many of you will not be surprised by.
To share this survey with your business leader go to:
https://lizvanvliet.typeform.com/to/aLOWjz
I would love to get more responses to add to my research.
The survey incorporates ideas from Adam Fidler's EA Manifesto which you can read here:
https://adamfidler.academy/blog/2017/6/21/the-ea-manifesto-what-i-am
I interviewed Adam for the podcast back in 2017 (Episode 26 and Episode 27)
In today's episode I also mentioned the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, Managing Up by Mary Abbajay and Attention Management by Maura Thomas.
Linchpin Assistants are 'superpowered' by what I describe as their Power Skills...soft skills on steroids!
Negotiating for mutual benefit is one of the 10 Power Skills that I train assistants to be able to rely on to help them be that little hinge that can swing big doors.
Resources discussed in this episode:
- Huthwaite whitepaper can be downloaded here
https://info.huthwaiteinternational.com/effective-negotiation-skills
- Create Winning Agreements, A Practical Guide to Negotiation by Gavin Presman
- https://whitneyjohnson.com/hbr-six-tips-for-reluctant-negotiators/
It might be February but it's still early enough in 2021 to spend some time reflecting and refocusing so that you can march forward purposefully into this still fresh year.
In this episode Liz shares some resources to help you do exactly that.
Firstly, Dr. Peter Fuda is a thought leader in the area of high performing teams and leadership. He has a brilliant blog and is someone to follow on LinkedIn. Find him at:
Liz also mentions the concept of S.M.A.A.R.T. goals (as opposed to just S.M.A.R.T.) The extra 'A' stands for Action-Oriented and this idea was one she picked up from listening to Michael Hyatt in Episode #66 – What SMART Goals Get Wrong. You can find it on Apple Podcasts here:
Finally, Liz mentions Pat Lencioni and his encouragement to be 'Hungry, Humble and Smart' as an employee.
Follow Liz on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/
A solo episode from Liz to wish all of my lovely listeners a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.
In this episode I share my own experience of Christmas in hospital attached to a drip being cared for during Breast Cancer treatment and finding myself in Intensive Care coming close to death.
I talk about the lessons I learnt about what's worth caring about and what can be kicked to the curb. I talk about gratitude and perspective and why for me these are not just empty words.
It's been a tough year and I want you to know how much you mean to me lovely listeners. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Welcome to a 'road rambling' episode where I share what's been going on in my house in the last few weeks and why I've been MIA to a certain extent as a result.
If there's a takeaway from this episode it's that we need to be as kind to ourselves as we are to others. Life is messy and as I like to say, we are human beings not human doings and the realities of 'being a human' have been what I've experienced in the last few weeks.
Onwards and upwards. Bring on 2021!
Part 2 of my interview with Emma Rhoades from Her Corporate Journey. In this episode Emma shares her 5 tips for managing your manager and how she has learnt from experience the value of each of these tips.
This episode reinforces why I believe the five elements of my Knowing Assistant Framework are vital to helping you develop as an assistant. This episode particularly reinforces the value of Knowing Your Manager and Knowing Your Power Skills (Managing Up being one of them!)
You can learn more about Emma and Her Corporate Journey at
The Being Indispensable podcast is about inspiring and educating you as assistants and OPs and Emma Rhoades is someone I have enormous respect for in terms of her knowledge and expertise in the area of management skills and self leadership.
Emma walks the talk and in Part 1 of our conversation she shares her own experience navigating the career spider frame and how she has arrived at the point of founding Her Corporate Journey.
In the first of two episodes we also discuss:
You can learn more about Emma and Her Corporate Journey at
In this episode Liz explains what Attention Management is and how it differs from Time Management and some tools and techniques for being proactive about managing your attention.
There is a school of thought that Time Management is an outdated concept.
Instead it’s about Attention Management - switching your attention to focusing on achieving a specific result.
Maura Thomas defines it as
“...the ability to consciously direct your attention in any given moment, to be more proactive than reactive, and to maintain control rather than inadvertently relinquish it. It’s about regaining control over your attention and thereby taking control of your life. Attention management empowers your productivity.”
Links to resources discussed:
Maura Thomas - Ted Talk
https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/attention-management-for-teams
Decision making and critical thinking fall under the umbrella of problem solving and that is right in the wheel-house of a Linchpin Assistant who is effective and efficient because they possess Power Skills like these.
Listen to this episode to hear how I define decision making and critical thinking, why these two Power Skills are in my top ten and a framework you can use to problem solve in your job and in your life.
This episode is also helpful listening if you want to notice and observe how your manager makes decisions and how you might support them in this process.
Find the free download that I mention in the episode here
https://offers.myeacareer.com/123
In Part 2 of my conversation with Jo Miller we talk about the FIVE leadership types that Jo has identified and the traits of each. Jo does some myth busting around the perception that you need to be a manager of people to be a leader.
We focus on HOW you can amplify your accomplishments and Jo takes me through the ways she recommends you can put this into action.
Finally we discuss the trap that you fall into when you make yourself indispensable for doing work that downplays your potential.
https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/indispensable-skills-how-to-develop-a-shadow-organisation-diagram/
This week’s episode is Part 1 of my interview with the awesome Jo Miller who I have mentioned on the podcast a number of times and dedicated Episode 66 to sharing her method for creating a Shadow Organisation Diagram.
If you haven't listened to it you can find it here.
https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/indispensable-skills-how-to-develop-a-shadow-organisation-diagram/
In Part 1 we explore:
- Jo’s experience navigating her own career climbing frame (the topic of last weeks episode)
- We explore why and how you can tap into your leadership super power.
- Jo explains the five leadership types that she outlines in her book and takes us through an exercise you can do to identify your leadership strengths.
- Jo also talks about the one thing she recommends that we all do and what gets in the way of us actually doing that one thing.
I hope you enjoy Part 1 of our conversation and can’t wait to bring you Part 2 next week.
This weeks episode is intended to give you an overview of the Assistant Competency Model created by Liz as well as the Ten Power Skills that propel assistants into the top quadrant as a Linchpin Assistant.
These ideas are the result of the years Liz has spent speaking to, training and coaching assistants as well as researching and interviewing hundreds of business leaders to understand the key competencies that Linchpin Assistants demonstrate.
Download your free handout with links to the episodes mentioned so that you can deep dive into the Ten Power Skills that will power you to show up as Linchpin Assistant.
https://offers.myeacareer.com/being-indispensable-episode-120-download
A solo episode discussing why it's so vital that regardless of how much you love you job you must always prioritise your love for yourself above it.
That can be tricky when you're anxious and stressed about your job security but helping you see that you have options is what I'm all about.
Self care anytime is important because we are human beings NOT human doings but in 2020 it's gone beyond burnout for most of us and we are now just soldiering on despite our mental fatigue and sense of overwhelm.
There is no magic bullet but what we can do is introduce small changes that will help you fire up your own inner flame.
Article mentioned in the show can be found here:
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11269-rekindle-love-of-work.html
A solo episode ruminating on my own experience thinking of my career as a ladder and struggling at times to feel that I had options and that there were benefits to gain from making a lateral, diagonal or even a backwards move.
These days I prefer to think of my career as climbing a spider frame that you'd find in a playground. Up, down, lateral and diagonal moves are all not just possible but encouraged.
Embracing the mindset that every move affords you opportunities to learn and grow and that there is a view to be had from each spot on that frame....not just the top!
Check out the www.myeacareer.com for more information on the training, coaching and speaking that Liz delivers.
Padraig O'Sullivan or Pod as he is known was the business leader I supported in my role as an Executive Assistant. He was a mentor and informal coach to me and I consider myself fortunate to have come into his orbit.
Pod’s reputation as a leading leadership advisor and Top Teaming expert has been established with over 20 years leadership and coaching experience encompassing Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. He has been labeled “one of Asia’s top leadership experts” and is author of the award-winning series of International books “Foreigner In Charge: Success strategies for expat leaders”.
In this episode (Part 2 of the interview) we discuss…
https://theleadershipcontext.com/
Connect with Pod on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/padraigbosullivan/
Podcast is “The Leadership Diet” find it in your favourite podcast app
Padraig O'Sullivan or Pod as he is known was the business leader I supported in my role as an Executive Assistant. He was a mentor and informal coach to me and I consider myself fortunate to have come into his orbit.
Pod’s reputation as a leading leadership advisor and Top Teaming expert has been established with over 20 years leadership and coaching experience encompassing Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. He has been labeled “one of Asia’s top leadership experts” and is author of the award-winning series of International books “Foreigner In Charge: Success strategies for expat leaders”.
What you’ll learn in Part 1 of my interview with Pod includes:
https://theleadershipcontext.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/padraigbosullivan/
Podcast is “The Leadership Diet” find it in your favorite podcast app
Robin Sharma is the author of The Leader Who Had No Title and in this episode I share his recommendations on how to lead from where you are and four things you can do NOW to build your leadership skills and the perception of you as a leader.
Watch the video of Robin discussing these concepts here:
To find out more about Robin Sharma and this book head to his website
https://www.robinsharma.com/book/the-leader-who-had-no-title
Learn more about My EA Career at www.myeacareer.com
Catching listeners up on the content of a free webinar I delivered today sharing the ONE thing I believe we truly need in order to be indispensable.
Unfortunately the recording of the webinar is only available to those who registered prior to the event. But the video and slide deck will be available to members of the Empowered Assistant Collective.
The doors to founding members are now open. If you'd like to see what it's all about and consider if it's right for you, head over to https://bit.ly/jointheeacollective
A common problem for EAs (and in fact common to most of us) is struggling to communicate effectively in crunch moments.
When it comes to tackling a tricky situation that requires you to speak up, how many times do you find yourself
-Avoiding the issue hoping it will go away?
-Having the difficult conversation and then it getting out of hand?
Episodes where I’ve discussed tackling uncomfortable conversations include:
#55 How To Approach Difficult Conversations - Steps for Executive Assistants
#18 Why Executive Assistants Need To Get Comfortable With Uncomfortable Conversations
#85 POWER Skills for Indispensable Assistants: Communication Skills
In this episode I share two strategies you can use to PLAN your approach to tricky conversations.
I’ve created a download that you can access by going to http://bit.ly/being113
You can find more information on the SBI framework here:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/situation-behavior-impact-feedback.htm
You can read more about Petrea King's approach here:
https://www.flyingsolo.com.au/live-smarter/make-difficult-conversations-easier
To register for my free webinar "The ONE Thing You Need To Be Indispensable" go to https://bit.ly/theonethingwebinar
I came up with the concept of My Value Star™ when I was post breast cancer, struggling with a lack of confidence and self belief.
In Chapter 11 of my book “Coming Home from Breastcancerville" I talk about my 'career wilderness years' after having children and how I lost touch with what made me invaluable as an employee.
Somehow it took hitting rock bottom due to breast cancer treatment and recovery for me to look at myself differently. Despite feeling lost and unsure of anything I doodled this five-pointed star and identified five qualities that spoke to my value.
That five-pointed star was the first step in me reinventing myself and rebuilding my confidence and self belief.
In this episode I share how My Value Star came about, why I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own virtues and I have created a free workbook to help step you through this process.
You can find the free workbook here: https://bit.ly/yourvaluestar
In this episode I also mention a free webinar I am running on Wednesday 2nd September at midday (AEST). To register go here:
Resources mentioned in this episode
Rosanne Badowski book on Managing Up: https://myeacareer.com/resources/managing-up-how-to-forge-an-effective-relationship-with-those-above-you/
Episode 32 Build A Strategic Partnership With Your Executive https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/building-a-strategic-partnership-with-your-executive/
Episode 57 Five Tips To Help Executive Assistants Manage Up https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/five-tips-to-help-executive-assistants-manage-up/
Episode 64 Indispensable Skills - Managing Your Manager https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/indispensable-skills-managing-your-manager/