How to maximize your assistant
Some entrepreneurs and business leaders are perfectionists, and it's understandable. Many CEOs want to do everything themselves, but one has to know when to delegate tasks when necessary. That is how you can really maximize your assistant to free up your time for the more important items.
If you haven't heard, it's scientifically proven that hiring an assistant pays for itself in lost time and productivity. While you may be thinking that you can't afford to hire an assistant, the truth is that you can't afford not to hire one. And after you onboard your assistant, here's how to get the most out of them:
If you haven't heard, it's scientifically proven that hiring an assistant pays for itself in lost time and productivity. While you may be thinking that you can't afford to hire an assistant, the truth is that you can't afford not to hire one. And after you onboard your assistant, here's how to get the most out of them:
Give your assistant as much background information as possible
Your assistant can't solve your problems if they don't know where the gaps are. You can't, of course, give them an "information dump" the first week and expect them to work a miracle. Instead, slowly trickle the data to your assistant in a flow that they can manage, and then they will come up with practical solutions.
Aim to have your assistant become independent
The whole point of having an assistant is to free up your time. Well, you can't do that if you don't trust the person you hired. In short, an executive shouldn't be micromanaging their assistant. If you don't trust your assistant, then you shouldn't have hired them.
Have your assistant attend high-level meetings. That way they can understand the depth and breadth of the operation. As they are exposed to more of the inner workings of the operation, they can be more predictive and independent.
Have your assistant attend high-level meetings. That way they can understand the depth and breadth of the operation. As they are exposed to more of the inner workings of the operation, they can be more predictive and independent.
Set goals with your assistant
Would you get on plane that had no destination? No, of course not. Businesses need goals, and so do people. Set firm deadlines for yourself and your assistant. It goes without saying that sometimes plans change, but that's fine. You may need to adjust along the way, but assistants love having goals.
You and your assistant should be compatible
Too many entrepreneurs look for lightning in a bottle when it comes to hiring an assistant. In other words, they want to have some sort of epiphany in the interview, and they are secretly hoping that an assistant will walk into an office and work miracles. It's unrealistic.
Both the assistant and the executive need to adjust along the way. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a team, and understand how to leverage each other.
Both the assistant and the executive need to adjust along the way. Know your strengths and weaknesses as a team, and understand how to leverage each other.
