The Team of Two!
As EXECUTIVE Assistants working in schools, our closest partnership is usually the one with our boss, generally the Principal or a Senior Executive, which comes with its own privileges and challenges. Few people outside our role understand what we do and how much we actually oversee.
Just as Education is complex and the role of educational leaders continually evolves, so too do the duties, expectations and challenges of those who support Principals and Senior Executives in school settings.
The role of the Education EA is one unlike any other, working at a school is completely different to other industries - no two days are the same. Despite our best intentions in having a 'plan' for the day, such priorities and tasks we set ourselves at 9.00am can be quickly derailed. We are the face of the executive of the school - a unique, complex, challenging, but also a very rewarding position.
As we commence the new school year, many colleagues are taking on new opportunities as Executive/Personal Assistants in other schools, and I am so excited for you. You are on an incredible and exciting new journey (yes and probably also nervous but that's expected) as you have an opportunity to build a new partnership with an educational leader, a working relationship that over time evolves to be professional, strategic, trustworthy, loyal and mutually supportive.
However with any relationship, it takes time to establish, build and is certainly a process. Now I am no expert, continually learning myself, and lets be honest no relationship is all peaches and cream. I am now going into my third year working for my executive and I am delighted to have found that over time our relational trust has certainly grown. The rapport we had with each other in the beginning, is certainly different to now. As their 'right-hand person' you will be relied upon intrinsically and valued for your trust, leadership and many other qualities that you bring to their role. As the trust component strengthens, you may find that your tasks and responsibilities will change over the course of this working relationship.
Your new working relationship will begin in the 'forming' stage and eventually over time, and yes it will take time, should be positioned in the norming/performing areas. So I thought I would share with you a couple of insights from my experience you may find helpful, as you enter this next chapter of your professional career.
It takes time, so be kind to yourself!
In the beginning - you are most likely strangers, with backgrounds and work history that the other person is not intrinsically aware of, so as the old adage goes...Rome wasn't built in a day! Building a positive relationship with your executive will take time and this is completely normal. Lucy Brazier OBE author of 'The Modern Day Assistant' says "the minimum amount of time it takes to properly build the partnership is 18 months".
Not only are you building a new working relationship, but you may also be settling into a new school, getting to know new work colleagues, bombarded with information overload, navigating and learning new systems, processes and perhaps even a new industry! No-one is perfect, and you are doing the best you can do - so be kind to yourself in this first phase.
As individuals with differing personalities, no partnership is the same - and that is okay. How you may have worked with your previous boss will be completely different to how you support your new one. So not only while still adjusting to your new environment with the added pressure of differing responsibilities and tasks to manage, you are also navigating how best to work with another - so one day at a time.
Communication is key!
Education EAs/PAs communicate constantly with so many different stakeholders, but the most important one is our executive. Touch base throughout the day. They are your greatest supporter and a great asset for knowledge and in finding resources, particularly in those first few months. Ask them questions, they will be happy to help - they want this working relationship to be successful as much as you do.
It's vital here to have a short daily planning and debrief meeting (ideally at the beginning and end of each day), to talk about what’s coming up and to prepare them for anything that might be unexpected. You will find that this time together is essential for building collaboration, understanding and rapport. My boss and I also will often text each other a quick thankyou at the end of the day, for the other’s support.
Trust and companionship
As mentioned earlier, trust between an EA/PA and Executive is paramount to a professional working relationship and crucial, as you work closely together and support each other throughout the day. This will take time to build so have patience. A big part of our role is discretion and maintaining confidentiality and we understand how important this is to the relationship.
It can be lonely in leadership, and you are the confidant and listening ear for your boss, your closest working colleague and as such the only one who really knows all that you do. The element of confidentiality and trust is crucial in this relationship and can easily be broken. My advice here put this working relationship at the forefront of any other one in the school, support one another and hold onto the trust.
And most importantly have fun!
We spend many hours at our schools, so enjoy your daily interactions and chats. Get to know each other, check in regularly, actively listen, purposely connect on a deeper level, have coffee, laugh, tell some jokes (my boss loves my sense of humour!) whatever works for your partnership. You can learn a lot from each other, which is beneficial to you both and your long-term working relationship.
So be kind to yourself as you settle in, the relationship is a work in progress, an ongoing journey and will take time to establish and build. By being proactive, mutually supportive, communicative, trusting and putting this working relationship at the forefront, you can establish a strategic, powerful and respected 'team of two', one that not only that brings rewards and benefits for the both of you, but for the entire school community.
You've got this!
If you’re feeling a bit isolated in your role, and would like to benefit from the support, advice and learnings of a group of likeminded Education Administrative Professionals working for Executive Senior Leadership Teams in schools - consider joining our community - a national network dedicated solely to supporting Education EAs!
