Leadership is Not Just for Directors
Do you have an open mind? Are you a good listener and able to empathise with others? Do you genuinely care about other people? These are qualities that are often innate within the administrative professional but did you know that they are also the qualities of a leader?
Many people are under the impression that being a leader is about having “Manager” or “Director” within their job title, but the skills involved in great leadership also make you a great employee and a role model within your company and will ultimately lead to career progression if you apply them to your working life.
The following traits can be found within all great leaders; leaders of industry, leaders of countries and leaders in everyday life. While you may not be earning a directorship salary you could still be portraying these qualities and believe me, it does get you noticed in the workplace!
• Keep an Open Mind
• Offer advice
• Be reliable
• Be a good listener
• Insist on perfection
• Be positive
• Treat others with respect
• Lead by example
• Have genuine compassion for others
• Be passionate about what you do
• Be confident!
Due to the nature of their work and the support they offer to the business the office professional must naturally exhibit a lot of these traits in order to even begin their day being the backbone of the business. I am certain that many PA’s, EA’s and administrative professionals out there will already be able to relate to the above signs of leadership and can think of how they apply them to their work every single day.
When I reflect upon my own personal career progression which began all those years ago; from Customer Service, Receptionist, Executive Assistant, Senior Executive Assistant to Business Operations Manager, I firmly believe that while the acquisition of the technical skills required for each career step were important, it was definitely the fine-tuning of the “softer skills” listed above that help to put me ahead of the rest for career progression.
And that is not to say that the learning is ever done! Every day within the workplace can provide you with new challenges and ways to apply the above qualities. Always keep these traits in mind and you will go far in your career and maybe one day you will get to that directorship salary by being the natural leader that was already inside of you!
If you are looking for a career change then contact the team at Australasian Recruitment Company on 0207 625 3300. The Australasian team are specialists in office support recruitment within the London marketplace.
Travel addict and absolute perfectionist, Ruth Hughes is the Business Operations Manager at Australasian Recruitment Company.
If you feel ready for a career change or you are looking for some fantastic office support staff, contact the Australasian Team on 0207 625 3300.