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Assist With Impact

A podcast for assistants and administrative professionals. If you're ready to be more impactful and show up as a Linchpin Assistant then this is a must-listen podcast. Join your host Liz Van Vliet and learn practical tips, strategies and insights that will help you move beyond being simply an order-taker.
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Now displaying: Page 6
Mar 21, 2019

Listen to this episode to get the lowdown on what a SWOT analysis is and how it can be one more tool in your self development kitbag. 

Stephen Covey was a huge proponent of self reflection and the simple two by two matrix of a SWOT analysis makes it perfect for getting a handle on your personal Strengths and Weaknesses and the Opportunities and Threats as they currently stand. 

In my soon to be released course I will be taking students through a step by step guide to conducting your own personal SWOT. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in exploring and want to 'Know Your Self' then sign up to hear when the course is available to purchase.

Click here to sign up to the email list.

Mar 5, 2019

A special episode dedicated to Kelly Exeter. If you would like to read Anthony Exeter's six rules of life go to this link:

https://www.mamamia.com.au/anthony-exeter-rules-for-life/

Kelly has subsequently expanded on the original six and written this blog post also:

https://kellyexeter.com.au/12-rules-for-life

Kiss your loved ones and tell them you love them.

Feb 27, 2019

The day to day reality for Executive Assistants is that they are required to get stuff done with no formal authority to give them clout with the people that they need to engage in order to get that stuff done. Influencing without authority is what this is called.

In this episode Liz outlines the six principles of influence that Dr. Robert Cialdini outlined in his ground breaking book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Understanding how to adapt all or some of these principles is something that Knowing Assistants invest the time to do.

You may never read this book cover to cover but understanding what he means by each of them can help you think about the way you can influence people to move them in the direction you want them to go. 

I hope this episode is helpful.

Feb 20, 2019

A short and sweet episode this week recounting my experience at a coffee meeting yesterday to give you some insight into what it's like trying to look professional whilst doing a fair imitation of the melting Wicked Witch of the West "I'm melting"!

Feb 11, 2019

This weeks Being Indispensable episode is a tutorial on how to create a shadow organizational diagram as outlined by Jo Miller, an executive  coach and trainer based in the USA. 

Executive Assistants who invest the time to improve their awareness and appreciation of the apparent and hidden power dynamics that operate within their organisation will be able to show up more effectively because of this strategic awareness. Knowledge is the first step to developing a plan for how to manage and cultivate relationships that help you get things done.

You can download a copy of the worksheet for this episode at http://bit.ly/shadoworgmap or click here.   

Find out more about Jo and BeLeaderly here:

https://jomiller.net/ or https://beleaderly.com/

 

Feb 6, 2019

Look I made a rhyme...'getting up to speed in 2019'.

Today's episode is a long time coming. I've been on a hiatus from the podcast due to family 'stuff'. I'm excited to be back though and hope at least some listeners have hung around long enough to see this episode drop into their podcatcher!

Yes, it might be February but in our house January was all about being present and available over the school holidays so although my happy new year might be a bit late the sentiment is still there. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours and I hope the coming year brings you many good things personally and professionally.

In this episode I share what I've been up to on the family front that's got in the way of podcasting and I share my plans for a content rich 2019 for my wonderful community of listeners.

Thanks for putting me in your ears and I look forward to providing you with insight and information during 2019.

If you haven't already, get on over and connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook

 

 

Oct 8, 2018

In this episode Liz takes you through a play by play from one of her recent coaching engagements. In this situation the Executive Assistant was literally days away from resigning from her role. The communication with her manager was in such a bad state and her morale was so low that she felt quite hopeless.

As a result of implementing the advice Liz gave her in their coaching sessions she was able to turn around the situation and establish a new framework for communication that has allowed the relationship to go from strength to strength.

The downside of coaching Executive Assistants is that the situations and circumstances are highly confidential so unfortunately the particular assistant cannot participate in this interview. However, you can rest assured that every step outlined in this episode occurred and the results are as reported. Outstanding for the EA and for the manager.

I'd love to meet you...please connect with me Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook

Sep 12, 2018

A check in episode sharing how 2018 is tracking for Liz on the family front. Hope your 2018 is going swimmingly!

I'd love to meet you...please connect with me Instagram, Linked In or Facebook

Jul 31, 2018

Melba Duncan says the value of an EA or Administrative Assistant is managing things your boss doesn't even know you're doing. But if they don't know you're doing these things then how can you be valued for them and how can you be paid and promoted for doing them. My advice is to get clear on what those things are, those things that make up the part of your iceberg that is below the surface and use this knowledge to create your brand value statement and build out your case for making sure you get that next pay rise! 

To register your interest in my upcoming Indispensable You online course, visit http://bit.ly/indispensableme

Jul 11, 2018

A 'road rambling' episode ruminating on how much it means to have the support of listeners like Susan J and how I thank the universe that starting my podcast has meant meeting people like her.

I share the lesson from overcoming inferiority and reaching out to Lucy Brazier has brought such unexpected generosity and how excited I am to be attending this weekends Executive Secretary Live in Sydney.

Finally I share an anecdote that demonstrates that by treating others as you would like to be treated can mean good things happen for you...don't give up on the universe, good karma still flows:)

 

Jun 27, 2018

Being Indispensable is celebrating its two year anniversary and to help plan ahead I've created a listener survey. If you could spare a few minutes I'd love to have you complete it.

http://bit.ly/twoyearsurvey

Executive Secretary LIVE is coming to Sydney for the first time in July and I've negotiated a 10% discount off the conference price for listeners of Being Indispensable. Get all the details and use the code INDISPENSABLE18 to claim your discount

http://bit.ly/lizatlive

Finally, I'm working on my first online course and if you'd like to be the first to know when it launches make sure to register your details via this link

http://bit.ly/indispensableme

Thanks for being an important part of my journey in the last two years! 

Liz

May 28, 2018

Today's episode is sharing two tips from a recent keynote presentation I did in Sydney for Office Professionals Day. 

Firstly, how thinking like a Sales Person can help you shift your minset...

- It’s not their responsibility to buy, it’s your responsibility to sell

- You may not want to sell but you that’s what you’re doing

- You need to to sell your ideas, your requests, your issues, yourself!

How if you can adopt this mindset and channel your inner sales person you will be more effective

My advice is to sell what you can sell, make peace with what you can’t

Secondly, try saying YES in order to say no!

Your sole purpose is to support your manager or managers. Sometimes they will come to your desk when you are busy handling something already assigned and it’s easy to feel you are being interrupted. Yes. You are. But that is your job.

Never underestimate the power of “yes” in your thoughts, attitudes and the first word you speak to others.

Helps you be perceived as a positive, can-do person.

Tip = when someone approaches and interrupts you internally smile and think “yes”. The internal “yes” changes our thought patterns, attitudes, ‘tell’ facial expressions and posture.

It’s an old sales technique - never respond with a ‘no’. Instead if something is asked of you say something like “Let’s discuss what I can do” or “Yes, I would love to do that. Here’s what I can do”.

 

May 1, 2018

Super excited to announce that I have a book coming out later this year. Yes, I will be able to officially call myself an author!!!

With a working title 'Getting Home From Breast Cancerville (is the hardest bit)' my book is about the complexity and uncertainty of recovering from treatment and accepting that life will never be as it was before Breast Cancer.

In writing my own story I have tried to convey the way everyone thinks that when your treatment ends, the worst is behind you. The truth is, the hardest bit is yet to come. If you have Breast Cancer, I have tried to show you what you need to be prepared for once your treatment ends. If you're supporting a friend with Breast Cancer, I try to show you where they will need your greatest support. 

If you would like to stay updated on the release date and where to buy it, I've created a link for you to sign up to the mailing list.

Click here http://eepurl.com/ds2Z85

It's a book that's taken me four years to write because there's been times where delving into the material has been just too hard. But it's done! My manuscript is now finished and with an editor to whip it into shape. I know there will be more work but it's on it's way to publication.

 

Apr 17, 2018

This week’s episode is my five starter tips for approaching the topic of Managing Up.

Managing Up can also be described as managing by influence. It’s a topic that goes right to the heart of what it means to be effective as an Exec Assistant and it’s one of the biggest challenges that assistants grapple with when they’re building a relationship with their manager.

It begins with coming at your manager with a sense of curiosity. I love the quote

“Seek first to understand”, it’s the heading of Chapter Five in Stephen Covey’s book “The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People

The better you understand your manager, the easier your life will be, and the more successful you will be

Tip #1 - Understand their priorities

Tip #2 - Keep these priorities front of mind and link back to them when you’re communicating with them

Tip #3 - Be genuinely committed to helping your boss be the best version of themselves

Tip #4 - Take things away from them that make sense

Tip #5 - Pick your moment

#48 ‘How to interview your boss to clarify expectations and perceptions’

Read my LinkedIn article on asking better questions https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-ways-ask-better-questions-liz-van-vliet/

If you are Sydney based I’d love to see you at the AIOP event celebrating Office Professionals Day on May 4th.

If you are listening from elsewhere in the world I’m also speaking on the topic of Managing Up as part of the Practically Perfect PA Virtual Summit 2018. Information available here.

Apr 9, 2018

Continuing on the theme of 'being' in this episode Liz shares how in pursuit of her 2018 word 'Strengthen' she has engaged a personal trainer and has noticed her internal flight reflex kicking in! 

Instead of coming down hard on herself, Liz shares how being kind to yourself is the order of the day. Progress over perfection people, that's what we want to focus on!

Mar 12, 2018

In this episode Liz outlines techniques that she teaches in her workshops that focus on taking a step by step approach to preparing for and engaging in difficult conversations.

A bonus download is available here.

Connect with Liz on Instagram, Linked In or Facebook

Feb 26, 2018

The first episode about the 'being' part of Being Indispensable for 2018. Recorded on one of my walks it's all about how I've turned a corner in the injury department and am on the road to more strength and stamina after a challenging year on the health front in 2017.

Feb 13, 2018

 According to the World Economic Forum there are 10 skills that will be vital for us to possess from 2020 and beyond. Funnily enough these are 10 skills that happen to be fundamental to your success as an Executive Assistant today and if you master them will help you stay at the front of the pack going forward.

I first read about these skills in a great article by Vivien Luu.  You can find the article here.

I've also created a one-page downloadable PDF of the ten skills identified in the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report.

Click here to download your copy now!

Feb 6, 2018

As some wise person once said, a change is as good as a holiday. Well I've had a holiday and am finally getting back to work so it's now time for some changes. 

I'm starting a new format for the show commencing with my next episode #53. I'm a strong believer that you can't 'show up' at work or in life if you're not taking care of your wellBEING. I'm also a huge exponent of the thinking that we are 'human beings not human doings' as Wayne Dyer so eloquently put it. This has been an area of huge significance for me in the years post my Breast Cancer diagnosis and treatment and I feel that it's been a strong theme in the podcast episodes and talks I've done since launching Being Indispensable in mid 2016. 

My belief that being perceived as indispensable or a linchpin employee as Seth Godin describes it needs to be driven by three things:

  • Knowing yourself - what are your strengths and weaknesses, what do you need to work on improving to be perceived as a linchpin as well as what you need to be a human being. What is working for you at any given time in the area of your wellbeing and what isn't...and what do you need to do about it!
  • Knowing your boss - what drives them, what are their values and beliefs and what are their priorities. How can you better assist them, add value to them and really be perceived as a strategic partner. 
  • Knowing your organisation - do you really understand what the company or business you work for is all about. Where have they come from and where are they going. 

So going forward I will be producing episodes based on these two aspects of us as working people - human beings and aspiring linchpins. I will alternate between a 'BEING' related episode and an 'INDISPENSABLE' related episode. 

I look forward to having you along for the ride. 

Jan 18, 2018

A belated wrap-up of 2017 focusing on my words for the year - Move, Consider & Consistency and how I score myself against delivering on their promise.

I'm also including a bonus for this episode which is my 2017 reading list. Business books I consumed plus a list of those I 'dipped' into but didn't get quite through. 

Click here to download the booklist and get reading.

I love your feedback so please connect with me and let me know what books you read in 2017 that were of use professionally.

 

Nov 29, 2017

Fifty episodes is a momentous milestone in the world of podcasting. Most podcasts don't make it to double digits let alone a half century. This episode is a road rambling celebrating the special people that have made Being Indispensable something that has been worth continuing with. From my husband and daughters to the many Executive Assistants that have kindly expressed their appreciation for my efforts in bringing this podcast to the world.

25,000 plus episodes have been downloaded and I can't wait to bring many more episodes to you celebrating the contribution of Executive Assistants and continuing to advocate for greater recognition for those outstanding exponents of the profession that are amongst you.

Nov 15, 2017

Today's episode is a road rambling sharing some of the points I presented to an audience of Executive Assistants at a conference in Sydney run by Intrepid Minds. The topic was negotiating skills and strategies. 

It's common for people to think about negotiation as it applies to the job hunt process. Negotiating salary and benefits or alternatively negotiating salary increases or role changes with your employer. 

We also negotiate with co workers and peers about the distribution of tasks, due dates, deadlines, needing something from someone else so we can get something done…this takes communication skills and an ability to negotiate and engage in crucial conversations.

In this episode I share the thinking and research of Margaret Neale from Stanford University who encourages us to think about negotiation as a process and that the goal is not to get a deal, it's to get a good deal. 

  • Four steps to achieving a successful negotiation:
  1. Assess - is it worth it
  2. Prepare - know yourself, know the other person
  3. Ask - engage
  4. Package - start with the results/benefits you can deliver
  • Take a communal approach - works better for women

I also share some other tips including not thinking of negotiating as a one-discussion or one-conversation exercise. It may take multiple conversations to get a good deal or the best outcome and you need to stay in dialogue with the other party. 

The use of silence and leaving space for the other party to fill is something I've shared before and it's useful when negotiating to be aware of the power of silence.

Finally I discuss the concept of BATNA or your best alternative to a negotiated agreement. In other words what is your fall back position, your next best outcome?

Hope you enjoy the episode. Here's some further reading:

Nov 8, 2017

A key area for festering mistrust and misunderstanding between Executive Assistants and their manager is around expectations and perceptions. Failing to communicate on these topics leads to frustration on the part of both of you.

It may be hard for you to broach this subject and it may be equally hard for your boss to give you honest feedback but it is something both of you need to approach with a growth mindset.

This initiative falls under the broader topic of 'Know Your Boss' which Liz will be exploring in further episodes. 

Oct 31, 2017

Hallie Warner is the Chief of Staff for Adam Hergenrother.  For the last seven years Hallie has been Adams right hand person. She epitomises the word linchpin and definitely fits the image of an indispensable assistant. 

Hallie has cultivated a true partnership with Adam and in this episode she shares what it has taken to reach this point and some of her learnings along the way. We discuss how she is currently looking for opportunities to stretch herself in order to develop and how she is pushing herself outside her comfort zone by speaking to me. Hallie says “The best way to grow, and the best way to learn is by teaching”.

Find out more about Hallie's Lead & Assist Webinar Series: bit.ly/AHTOLEAD

http://www.hergenrotherenterprises.com/about/hallie-warner/

Adam’s post referencing his relationship with Hallie:

https://herglife.com/2016/04/28/5-ways-to-create-a-strategic-partnership-with-your-executive-assistant/

Keller Williams referenced approach to hiring an EA:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/3394249/four-tips-for-hiring-a-world-class-executive-assistant

 

Hallie's Blog - www.leadandassist.com

Connect with Hallie:

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/halliewarner

Facebook - www.facebook.com/hallieswarner

Instagram - @halliewarner

Oct 25, 2017

Today's podcast guest is Roxanne Calder, Managing Director of boutique office support recruitment firm EST10 based in Sydney, Australia. Roxanne has been a previous guest on Being Indispensable. Listen to Episode #22 to hear all about EST10 and Roxanne's passion for Office Support professionals.

In this episode we discuss the annual Salary Guide produced by EST10 and talk about the 2017/18 guide which has just been released. It contains some excellent insights into the 'state of play' in the office support market here in Sydney and also includes fabulous insights from Roxanne with respect to the talent shortage that currently prevails and how employers need to go beyond their preconceived requirements. It's all about seeing unicorns instead of rhinos.

Click here to download your copy of the EST10 2017/18 Salary Guide.

Click here to contact EST10 in Sydney to request a hardcopy of the 2017/18 Salary Guide or discuss other topics.

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