News

It’s one of the most important relationships in the office, one that needs to run smoothly and seamlessly in order for both of you to work as efficiently and effectively as possible. And as PAs, we know this takes both time and effort!

This PA/Manager partnership was the topic of our second expert panel discussion at the Today’s PA Conference held in August. We invited PAs from different industries to talk about the way they worked with their bosses – and asked the bosses to contribute, too! This made for an interesting session, providing delegates with a few insights and ideas to help make the partnership work from day one.

Presentation coach Adam Taub began by talking about his experience of recruiting a PA. He knew he needed someone with a good knowledge of sales, marketing, and the media – a very specific skillset that would complement his own. He looked for applicants with a can-do, pro-active attitude, together with excellent organisational and creative skills. The ideal candidate, Alice fitted this role perfectly. They have worked together now for several years, and with her previous media experience she understands and supports Adam’s work in coaching senior executives for presentations and key note speeches.

Charmain Norman-Taylor (director of the PA Club) said that together, a manager and PA make a formidable team. But, inevitably, misunderstandings will occur. She stressed the importance of communication, not just on every day topics relating to your work, but also on the way you are working together. The relationship will change over time, due to the needs of the company or the demands of your respective roles. This means it’s vital to “refresh” the partnership from time to time to make sure you’re always providing the support your boss needs.

Throughout the conference, other sessions had looked at the ways in which PAs could adapt their style of working to match that of their bosses. Delegates asked the managers on the panel if they had adapted their own way of working to suit that of their PA. The panel felt that bosses also needed to be flexible, and should be willing to adjust their working style if necessary.

I pointed out that in my experience most managers wouldn’t worry about how they needed to adapt or even how they communicate with their PAs. Therefore, it was up to PAs to make sure they changed their way of working to fit, rather than the other way around. Bosses have 1001 things going on, and it’s much easier for PAs to change themselves rather than to try to change their bosses! However, adaptability is one the key aspects of the PA role – not just to technology and ways of working but to changing circumstances.

Reverend John Chitham (Chaplain to the Bishop of Blackburn) said that pastoral care was equally as important in the partnership as any other demands on the role. Managers and PAs needed to work to support each other. Adam agreed, saying that a little kindness and consideration goes a long way, and can have a ripple effect that can last throughout your time in the role.

Several delegates asked for advice on how to improve or mend the working relationship when things had gone awry. Heather McDonald (PA to the Chief Inspector of Hertfordshire Constabulary) felt that whatever was happening, it was vital to keep the lines of communication open. As PA to someone with a broad range of responsibilities, she said it was important to try to see things from your boss’s perspective, and highlighted the need for mutual respect at all times.

David Clubb (MD of Tate Recruitment) said his best advice was to be pro-active, and to tackle any problems head-on, rather than waiting for your boss to come to you. Experience had taught him that it’s always best to deal with problems straight away, and not to let the situation drag on as that will only make things worse. He also advised setting ground rules, defining exactly how you can provide the support your boss needs. and making sure you know what your boss expects from you as his assistant – and vice versa.

Andy Workman (mindset specialists and author of the book ‘Cavemen and Polar Bears’) said that in the working relationship, it was PAs rather than their managers who held the balance of power. As a former policeman working with PAs at all levels, he thought the value that assistants add to the work of their boss, team, or department, was immeasurable – and all parties needed to understand that.

John Chitham said care and appreciation could go an incredibly long way, and it was sometimes the simplest things that had the biggest impact, for instance, just saying ‘thank you’. If someone had made a greater effort on your behalf, perhaps sending a small note of thanks would be a nice gesture. To the sender, it may only take a few minutes to put pen to paper, but it can make the recipient feel appreciated and valued – something we all needed.

Wrapping up this final session, we asked the one thing everyone wanted to know: which industry was the most difficult to work in! Adam (a former lawyer) thought that the law – and particularly barristers’ chambers – was an extremely challenging environment, as the set up and structure was significantly different to that of other organisations. But he also added that, in common with all businesses, the legal profession had an excellent network of PAs and EAs who not only knew everyone but were also keen listeners. He said that if anyone wanted to anything in any organisation – they should go straight to the PAs!

This was a fitting way to end a fascinating day, and our delegates left the conference venue full of exciting ideas, raring to put these into practice first thing on Monday morning!