Building a Strong Working Relationship with Your Executive: A Top-Level Guide 

June 16, 2023

As an assistant, building a strong working relationship with your executive is essential. It not only helps you perform your duties more efficiently but also ensures that you both work towards achieving the organisation’s goals. In this guide, we will share practical steps on how to build a brilliant relationship with your executive.

Understanding the Importance of Building a Strong Working Relationship with Your Executive

To build a strong working relationship with your executive, you need to understand why it is essential. Here are some reasons:

  • It helps you to work together efficiently and effectively towards achieving the organisation’s goals.
  • It helps you to communicate better and understand each other’s expectations.
  • It helps you to anticipate your executive’s needs and provide proactive support.
  • It helps you to work towards building a long-term partnership with your executive.

Working with a New Executive

Working with a new executive can be challenging, but it is an opportunity to build a strong working relationship from scratch. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Have a first meeting with your new executive to understand their priorities, objectives, and communication preferences.
  • Schedule meetings with your executive’s trusted advisors to understand their perspective on how to work with your executive.
  • Think of quick wins that can help you impress your executive, such as clearing their long-overdue filing or using your contacts to upgrade them on a flight.
  • Organise a lunch or coffee meeting to get to know your executive better in a relaxed atmosphere.

Working with an Executive Who Has Never Had an Assistant Before

Working with an executive who has never had an assistant before can be challenging, but it is an opportunity to prove your worth. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  • Show your executive what you can do by making a list of everything you can do and sharing it with them.
  • Set boundaries early in your working relationship to clarify what tasks you will complete for your executive.
  • Schedule 1-2-1 meetings with your executive to discuss their priorities and objectives.
  • Learn your executive’s work style, communication preferences, and routine to be proactive in your new role.

Making Your Executive Happy

Making your executive happy is an essential part of building a strong working relationship. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

  • Understand your executive’s goals and objectives and work towards achieving them.
  • Anticipate your executive’s needs and provide proactive support.
  • Communicate effectively and keep your executive in the loop on your progress.
  • Be enthusiastic, open, and honest with your executive to build trust.

Managing Expectations

Managing expectations is crucial to building a strong working relationship with your executive. Here are some tips to help you manage expectations effectively:

  • Clarify what tasks you will complete for your executive and set boundaries early in your working relationship.
  • Communicate effectively and keep your executive in the loop on your progress.
  • Be proactive and anticipate your executive’s needs to avoid surprises.
  • Be honest and transparent with your executive to build trust.

Staying in the Loop with Your Executive

Staying in the loop with your executive is essential to building a strong working relationship. Here are some tips to help you stay in the loop effectively:

  • Communicate effectively and keep your executive in the loop on your progress.
  • Schedule regular meetings with your executive to discuss their priorities and objectives.
  • Use technology tools such as project management software to keep track of your tasks and progress.
  • Be proactive and anticipate your executive’s needs to avoid surprises.

Building Rapport with a Remote Executive

Building rapport with a remote executive can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are some tips to help you build rapport effectively:

  • Use video conferencing tools to have face-to-face meetings with your remote executive.
  • Schedule regular check-ins to discuss their priorities and objectives.
  • Use technology tools such as project management software to keep track of your tasks and progress.
  • Be proactive and anticipate your remote executive’s needs to avoid surprises.

Running Personal Errands for Your Executive

Running personal errands for your executive is part of your job, but it is essential to set boundaries. Here are some tips to help you run personal errands effectively:

  • Clarify what tasks you will complete for your executive and set boundaries early in your working relationship.
  • Use technology tools such as task management software to keep track of your personal errands.
  • Be proactive and anticipate your executive’s needs to avoid surprises.
  • Communicate effectively and keep your executive in the loop on your progress.

Should You Lie for Your Executive?

Lying for your executive is never acceptable. Here are some reasons why:

  • It undermines your credibility and integrity.
  • It damages your working relationship with your executive.
  • It can have legal and ethical implications.
  • It goes against the values and principles of the organisation.

Conclusion

Building a strong working relationship with your executive is essential to your success as an assistant. By following the practical steps outlined in this guide, you can build a brilliant relationship with your executive and work together efficiently and effectively towards achieving the organisation’s goals.

You may also like

Register