Q & A - Lisa Rodgers, PA of the Year 2007
Hays.com tracked down Lisa Rodgers, winner of the Times Crème and Hays Secretarial PA of the Year Award 2007 and self-styled ‘Desk Doctor’.
What has winning the PA of the Year Award meant to you?
LR: It hasn’t sunk in yet. Seeing myself on the front cover of Times Crème [on our office wall] every day feels surreal. It’s been an amazing ride; people that I used to work with have been in touch and I’ve become a well-known name in the PA career world!
How has this impacted on your professional life?
LR: Not that much at the moment. Winning the award has boosted my confidence and it makes you think about your achievements in a more positive light. It has also strengthened my working relationship with my boss [Rachel Bell, MD of Shine Communications] and has spurred me on to go that extra mile.
What do you think set your nomination apart?
LR: The flexible nature of my role was important. Rachel and I cover a range of tasks as a team. I’m also heavily involved in staff training, so building relationships with other members of staff is key. We have a very unique relationship, a real bond, cemented by having worked together for five years.
What key skills/competencies do you need to become an exceptional PA?
LR: The biggest skill you need is organisation. If you can organise yourself, you can organise anybody. Time management and prioritisation skills need to be honed in order to manage somebody else’s workload as well as your own. You must instinctively know where everything is.
What are the most difficult aspects of the job and how do you overcome these?
LR: Being able to manage expectations is definitely the prime obstacle. You have to realise that you are not superwoman and that you can’t always do everything on the same day. There’s no point being under undue pressure – just set realistic deadlines and clearly state what you can and can’t do, with appropriate timescales.
What advice would you give to PAs who want to advance their careers?
LR: Attending courses for executive assistants, managing time etc. are a good idea. Sometimes, it’s just good to hear the same thing again. Computing and soft skills are also important. Keeping up to date with new packages is critical and I would suggest a strong familiarity with Microsoft Outlook.
Is there any specific training that you found useful and would recommend?
LR: I put together a training programme for 45 employees. We have a programme for support staff and one for client-facing operatives. I lecture on time management and how to deal with people that are stressed, which is when communication difficulties can often arise. I also hold regular ‘Desk Doctor’ surgeries, spending time with our creative people helping them tidy their desks and create efficient filing systems. They absolutely love it!
Do you think PAs get the credit they deserve?
LR: They do now. It was a different story 10 years ago but the role of the PA has evolved dramatically. PAs now make a huge difference to their managers’ lives. A PA can get involved in many personal aspects, from online shopping through to buying birthday and Christmas presents. It’s harder working on a one-to-one basis. A team secretary might look after a number of directors but would simply work as a team secretary and not get involved in the personal aspect.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the PA today?
LR: The biggest ongoing challenge is getting the work-life balance right. PAs often get into a routine of staying late but you have to remember that you are as important as your boss. It is also imperative to let your boss know, if for example, you are not up to speed with what they are doing. This is where assertiveness matters – you have to communicate your need to spend time with them.
Are there any other tips or general advice that you would like to share?
LR: Flexibility is paramount as no two days are ever the same. Being able to help somebody both personally and professionally can be very rewarding. The buzz you get at the end of a good day is priceless. It is hard work, though, and you have to put in the hours.
Read about the PA of the Year 2007 Awards ceremony.
