Building a Strong Relationship with Your Executive

Over the last decade, we’ve interviewed many high-performing Assistants, and they all emphasize the importance of building a strong relationship with your Executive.

In one of our most popular interviews, Bethany Burns, former EA to the Co-Founder of BrewDog, shared how she developed a close and symbiotic relationship with her Executive, making her critical to the overall success of the business.

In this article, we’ll explore Bethany’s strategies for building a strong relationship with your Executive and how you can implement these techniques in your own role.

Knowing Your Executive Inside Out

Bethany emphasized the importance of truly knowing your Executive inside out. This requires hard work, intuition, and always being one step ahead. It means understanding their interests, reading their emails or articles in advance, and being prepared to discuss relevant topics.

By staying informed and proactive, you can position yourself as a valuable resource for your Executive. This level of insight and preparation demonstrates your commitment and builds trust, forming the foundation for building a strong relationship with your Executive.

20 Questions to Ask a New Executive Worksheet

Use this guide to work in sync with your Executive from day one.

Our list of 20 highly relevant, fact-finding questions takes the guesswork out of those early days working with a new Executive. If you want to ensure you quickly build rapport and get the relationship with your new Executive off to a brilliant start. This is the template for you!

    Being Available and Open

    Another critical aspect of building a strong relationship with your Executive is being available and open to learning. Bethany stressed the importance of being responsive to your Executive’s needs and requests while continuously seeking ways to enhance your skills.

    This also means being willing to take on tasks outside your job description if they contribute to your Executive’s or the business’s overall success. Showing adaptability and a willingness to grow reinforces your value and strengthens the partnership between you and your Executive.

    Wanting Your Executive to Succeed

    Bethany shared a mindset that has been pivotal in her success: genuinely wanting her Executive to succeed. She approached her role with the perspective of being the kind of Assistant she would want to have.

    This means going the extra mile, being willing to do things beyond the ordinary, and fully supporting her Executive’s goals and aspirations. By fostering a positive and collaborative working relationship, she demonstrated her commitment to her Executive’s success, which is integral to building a strong relationship with your Executive.

    Avoiding Toxic Work Environments

    Bethany also highlighted the importance of working in a healthy and positive environment. She acknowledged that not all Executives are great to work for and stressed the importance of recognizing toxic situations and taking steps to address them.

    It’s okay to move on from an Executive or work environment that doesn’t align with your values or goals. Finding an Executive who respects and values you can significantly improve your career satisfaction and overall well-being. Recognizing when it’s time to make a change is an essential part of building a strong relationship with your Executive.

    While there’s no single formula for creating an effective partnership, Bethany Burns’s real-life strategies offer invaluable guidance for building a strong relationship with your Executive.

    If you want to deepen your understanding of how to establish strong workplace relationships and develop into a Strategic Business Partner with unlimited career potential, consider enrolling in the Strategic Business Partner Online Course today.

    This course provides in-depth insights on topics such as executive communication, values-based leadership skills, alliance building, decision-making strategies, and best practices. Expand your understanding and develop into an effective leader while mastering the art of building a strong relationship with your Executive.

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    Nicky Christmas

    I'm Nicky, the Founder and CEO of The EA Campus. Let’s continue the conversation over in our communities.

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