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:

1. Three questions to ask yourself before a tough conversation
2. Four behaviours that are most likely to escalate conflict
3. One DO and One don’t to keep front of mind
4. Two frameworks or scaffolds for structuring a difficult conversation
5. One final tactic for avoiding misunderstandings or miscommunication

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.

https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/113-power-skills-for-executive-assistants-how-to-handle-a-difficult-conversation/

https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/how-to-approach-difficult-conversations-steps-for-executive-assistants/

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.