Emechebe advocates vital traits for success in high-level roles
By Zion Rufus
Leveraging her extensive experience as an Executive Assistant (EA) across various multinational companies and diverse business sectors including Law and Human Rights, Customer Strategy, Sales Development, Business Operations, and Projects, Precious Emechebe, the Executive Assistant to the CEO of MultiChoice West Africa, emphasizes the significance of essential qualities for successful CXOs and high-level professionals. Emechebe underscores the critical role of having the right team and support to achieve victory.
Particularly in an environment where collaboration is key, the right EA can be a game-changer in shaping the trajectory of businesses towards success.
Shedding light on the pivotal role EAs play in supporting top-level executives and contributing to the overall success of businesses, she Emechebe stated “In life, support is everything. It determines who wins and who loses, and because success is both an inside job and a team effort, it matters who makes up the team. In the world of business, it is the same thing. One key component of support that high-flying CXOs do not compromise on is in the choice of their Executive Assistants (EAs) because they understand how instrumental they are to their overall success.”
According to Emechebe, aspiring to excel as an Executive Assistant entails embodying six essential characteristics that are pivotal in steering the course of executive roles:
1) Ruthless Prioritization: Managing the fast-paced demands of a professional EA’s daily life requires juggling numerous tasks simultaneously. To prevent frustration and maintain reliability, EAs should break projects into smaller steps, determine urgent and important matters, and address them first. Ruthless prioritization is the fine line between chaos and achieving excellence.
2) Proactive and Calm Under Pressure: Recognizing the swift tempo of work, professional EAs stay alert and think proactively to handle unforeseen challenges. Handling difficult situations with composure is crucial. Scenario planning is key, enabling EAs to anticipate crises and establish strategies to prevent or manage them efficiently, without compromising project success.
3) Ethics and Good Conduct: Professional EAs grasp the significance of their role, understanding that their actions reflect on their bosses and the organizations they represent. Conducting themselves with dignity and honor, they avoid loose talk, name-dropping, or unethical behavior. As brand ambassadors, they safeguard their organization’s reputation through proper behavior.
4) Exceptional People Skills and Emotional Intelligence: Proficient EAs possess the essential skill of effectively collaborating with others for success. Working closely with C-suite executives, they study individual personalities to tailor their support, facilitating the best outcomes for projects and businesses. This ability to understand human behavior aids in conflict resolution, stress alleviation, and effective communication.
5) Impeccable Organization: Professional EAs are known for their exceptional organizational skills. By connecting with people, they galvanize diverse teams to successfully execute projects. Their combined organizational and people skills enable them to achieve goals efficiently.
6) Big-Picture Thinking: A hallmark of an adept EA is their strategic thinking akin to that of CXOs. Immersing themselves in their organization’s strategy, vision, and industry landscape, they establish meaningful connections within and beyond their sector. These connections provide invaluable intel to benefit both their bosses and organizations.
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