The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant

]>

]>

Praise for

The Leader Assistant

Jeremy’s book infuses assistants with a blend of practical expertise and insightful wisdom that inspires confidence, promotes leadership, and increases enthusiasm for this essential role.

—Peggy Grande, Former Executive Assistant to President Ronald Reagan

In a clear and compelling style, Jeremy offers relevant, up-to-the-minute nuts-and-bolts advice for assistants at every level. He is a refreshing and important voice in the administrative professional landscape. If you’re serious about working as a true business partner, this book is required reading.

—Bonnie Low-Kramen, Thought Leader and Author of Be the Ultimate Assistant

Jeremy is thoughtful, thought-provoking, and he’s walked a mile in my shoes. If you want to be a better assistant, read this book!

—Melinda Vail-Goodnight, Executive Assistant, Southwest Airlines

He’s the best daddy ever!

—Weston and Silas Burrows, Sons of the Author, Expert LEGO Builders

Jeremy is blazing new ground. This concept of the Leader Assistant is woefully understudied. Jeremy is methodically leading the exploration of one of the most potent active ingredients in organizations today. I urge you to embrace his important redefinition of the executive assistant.

—Larry Zarin, Retired SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Express Scripts

Jeremy’s book is full of actionable, practical advice, and it reads as if he’s sitting in the room having a conversation with you. The Leader Assistant is a must-read for any assistant looking to level up, as well as any CEO looking to create a more productive working relationship with their assistant.

—Jess Lindgren, Host of the Ask an Assistant Podcast and EA to Pat Flynn, Host of The Smart Passive Income Podcast

This. Book. Is. Spot. On. Jeremy is the real deal—he was walking his walk way before he ever thought about talking his talk. I’m not sure there is someone on this planet who not only better understands the role and best practices for being a Leader Assistant, but can articulate the hows, whys, dos, and don’ts so effectively.

—Mike Weinberg, Bestselling Author and Speaker

Reading this book is like having a cup of coffee with Jeremy, a master executive assistant. He gives you all the coaching you need to learn how to master your craft as an assistant.

—Gina Cotner, Founder and CEO, Athena Executive Services

My time as a C-suite executive assistant and chief of staff at some of the largest tech companies in the world taught me one thing: Everyone, myself included, has room to improve their leadership skills. Whether you’re a part-time remote virtual assistant or the chief of staff at a billion-dollar company, this book will help you LEAD.

—Al-Husein N. Madhany, Founding Partner of Tack Advisors and AssistantsGuide.com

With engaging stories, real-time examples from the field, and Jeremy’s trademark direct approach, this book deserves to be on the professional-development bookshelf of every career admin.

—Lucy Brazier, CEO of Marcham Publishing, Publishers of Executive Secretary Magazine

Jeremy clearly outlines what it takes to be a Leader Assistant in a practical and challenging way. If you’re an assistant, or if you have an assistant, read this book.

—John Ruhlin, CEO and Author of Giftology

Jeremy has created a relevant, easy-to-read field guide for any assistant who wants to step into leadership and become a game-changing assistant.

—Julie Perrine, Founder and CEO of All Things Admin, Author of The Innovative Admin™

I have a rising optimism for the career executive assistant when I consider the relevance and strategic importance of this profession, wherein opportunities abound. In The Leader Assistant, Jeremy masterfully elevates this role and places it in a realm of well-deserved achievement. This book is a must-read for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the vitality and profound impact of this career in our global workplace.

—Melba J. Duncan, President, The Duncan Group, Inc., and CEO, Duncan Leadership Institute

I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some world-class assistants over the course of my businesses. Somehow, they intuitively knew what is now listed and described in this book for you. Take what’s in this book and use it! Trust me, it will pay off in great ways for your time and results.

—Bryan Miles, Chairman and Co-founder of BELAY

Jeremy provides real strategies that assistants can implement into their work, which will make them more efficient and effective.

—Nicky Christmas, Founder and Editor of Practically Perfect PA

I’ve known Jeremy since he was twelve. He used to ask me (his youth pastor at the time) where we were going next and what our plan was. Fifteen years later, Jeremy was my executive assistant, and I looked to him for guidance. He helped me maximize my influence as a leader. Assistants, this book is the guide to transform your career.

—Darrin Patrick, Author, Speaker, and Pastor

Jeremy’s passion and wisdom are coupled with honesty, purpose, and integrity. He understands firsthand what it takes to be an exceptional Leader Assistant. Jeremy is brilliant at sharing his experiences to guide others. I am honored and privileged to know him and be part of his community.

—Jillian Hufnagel, Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Strategist

Jeremy’s book is the essential guide for assistants who want to grow their confidence, anticipate the needs of their executive, and embrace the calling of a leader.

—Paige McPheely, CEO of Base (software for EAs)

I LOVE this book! As a career executive (Leader) Assistant turned CEO, I wish I would’ve had this book at the beginning of my career. It’s the perfect reference guide for new and established assistants, and provides the perfect roadmap and aha moments that create the mindset, practices, and follow-through necessary to be a highly competent Leader Assistant. Kudos to Jeremy for capturing the ever-changing nuance of this role in no uncertain terms. This is THE book for EAs to keep within reach throughout their careers.

—Phoenix Normand, Author, Chief of trīb

Jeremy is a fierce advocate for the assistant community and has distilled his knowledge of what it takes to be a game-changing assistant into practical and actionable steps. The new assistant is rewriting history, and Jeremy is leading the charge.

—Hallie Warner, Chief of Staff, Adam Hergenrother Companies

I was lucky enough to work with Jeremy, EA-to-EA, in my last role, and it’s wonderful to see him sharing his expertise. I found myself nodding my head in agreement so many times while reading this book. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that every EA read this (and keep it on the desk for quick reference and encouragement)!

—Crystal Esquivel, former EA, now Chief of Staff at Base (software for EAs)

Jeremy’s reach and generous commitment to the EA community spans the globe through his podcast, blog, social platforms, and now his first book. Thank you, Jeremy, for shining a light on the value we bring to our executives and our orgs.

—Maggie Jacobs, Author and Executive Administrator

The Leader Assistant isn’t just a how-to book for assistants and executives. It’s a powerful tool full of examples, templates, stories, and insights that are relevant for assistants at every level.

—Linda McFarland, Author of The Wizard Behind the CEO and Sitting on a File Cabinet, Naked, With a Gun, and Experienced C-Level Executive Assistant in Silicon Valley

Jeremy touches on all the issues assistants need to become a game changer. His experience is more than visible. He knows what he’s talking about, which makes the book so special.

—Diana Brandl, Founder of The Future Assistant Podcast and The Socialista Projects

This is a must-read book for any assistant who wants to self-lead. It is packed with sound advice and uncovers many areas assistants might not consider but are important.

—Joan Burge, Founder and CEO, Office Dynamics International

A game-changing assistant is someone who knows what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. We all know it’s anything but easy, but if you follow the steps Jeremy has skillfully laid out in this guide, you will be a game-changing assistant!

—Rhonda Scharf, Hall of Fame Speaker, Author, Consultant, and Producer of #ADMINSROCK Conference

Jeremy offers timely, relevant, and insightful guidance for assistants who strive to be leaders in their industry. An easy and enjoyable read, he captures the perfect blend of practical insights and personal stories.

—Annie Croner, Executive Personal Assistant and Founder of WholeAssistant.com

]>

Copyright © 2020 Jeremy Burrows + Go Burrows, LLC 2020

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-5445-0944-0

Bio Headshot by Erica Karleskint

]>

To my Grandpa, Harold.

You were a hard-working entrepreneur who rested well.

Thank you for showing me what humble confidence looks like.

To my Grandma, Lorene.

Several years into my assistant career, I discovered you’d been an assistant to a top executive at Trans World Airlines. It was then I knew where my passion for the administrative profession came from.

Thank you for showing me how to lead through simple things like to-do lists, kindness, and punctuality.

I miss you and I can’t wait to exchange assistant stories with you.

]>

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Prologue

PILLAR 1: EMBODY THE CHARACTERISTICS

1. The Essential Characteristics

2. The Game-Changing Characteristics

3. Discerning

4. Steady

5. Confident

6. Humble

7. Future-Proof

PILLAR 2: EMPLOY THE TACTICS

8. Time Management

9. Task and Interruption Management

10. Calendar

11. Meetings

12. Email

13. Travel

14. Professional Development

15. Goals

16. Negotiation

17. The Perfect Resume

18. Communication

PILLAR 3: ENGAGE IN RELATIONSHIPS

19. The Dehumanization of Assistants

20. Networking

21. Your Executive

22. Your Coworkers

PILLAR 4: EXERCISE SELF-CARE

23. Burnout Creep

24. Burnout Stressors and Signs

25. Five Antidotes to Burnout

Conclusion

Resources

Acknowledgments

About the Author

]>

Foreword

Are You Ready to Lead?

By Monique Helstrom

I had the advantage of learning from the foremost leadership expert, Simon Sinek, as I was his Chief of Simon for nearly a decade. During that time, one of the most essential lessons I learned is that leadership and rank are not the same thing. I’ve met plenty of those who sit at the top of organizations and command authority, and we do as we are told because of that authority, but they are not leaders. I have also met many working in the middle or bottom ranks of organizations, and they absolutely are leaders.

This is because leadership is not about power, title, or salary. Leadership is an act, a practice, a discipline to take care of the people around us, regardless of how the team, client, or executive is showing up. It’s how we make the world a better place for the person to our right and the person to our left. Leadership is about strength, integrity, gratitude, fortitude, patience, empathy, and generosity.

You, too, can be a leader, and the world needs you to act as such.

Make no mistake, you carry a heavy load. You are expected to have a high leadership capacity and to make things happen—even when your colleagues fail to lead, support, or get out of your way. You are expected to think ahead, communicate up, look down, and stay balanced. You are expected to be the backbone, the innovator, the task-doer, the culture-keeper, the encyclopedia, the workaholic, and about a thousand more…and are expected to do so with a wink and a smile. This is the hard truth.

And within that lies the power of choice. You can choose to play the victim and let the heavy load wear you down until your relationships and health are at risk. Or you can choose to change the script—right here and right now.

CHOOSE TO BE THE LEADER YOU WISH YOU HAD. Know in your heart that you help those around you accomplish their mission, that you are valuable, and that you help businesses succeed. You have more strength and resourcefulness than most, and you never back down from a challenge. And when you finally make the choice to lead with passion, to keep a positive outlook, and to hold your head up high with pride, the entire assistant profession rises with you.

Continue to lead by serving those around you. Look for opportunities to fill the leadership gaps in your workplace. Use your voice. You have an opportunity not only to make your organization better, but to make the world better.

People look to you—the assistant—for guidance and leadership.

Are you ready to lead?

—Monique Helstrom

Speaker, Activator, and an Unlocker of Human Potential

Former Executive Assistant and Chief of Simon Sinek

MoniqueHelstrom.com

]>

Introduction

How to Use This Book

I still have a handwritten note from leadership guru and bestselling author John Maxwell. I met him when I was nine and asked him to sign a copy of his book, Leadership 101: Inspirational Quotes & Insights for Leaders.

His note read:

Jeremy, you’re going to be a great leader! Your friend, John C. Maxwell.

At that very moment in 1993, I saw my future. I was destined to be a career executive assistant who would one day write a leadership book for assistants. Actually, that’s not even close to the future I saw—I thought I was going to be a baseball player. But that note from my buddy John left an imprint on me. I remember thinking, Me, a leader? Wow. I thought only the rich, famous, or powerful were leaders.

If you’ve had similar doubts about your leadership potential, it’s time for a paradigm shift. Assistant, you are a leader. No matter how far along you are in your career, you’re about to tap into a practical resource that will empower and equip you to lead well without burning out.

But before you dive in, here are a few guidelines for getting the most out of this book.

Take Advantage of Bonus Material

I reference many resources throughout the book and want you to find them easily. Instead of listing a bunch of unique URLs that are a pain to manually type into your browser or that could become broken links at some point, I’ve created a go-to website with links to bonus material, articles, and other resources mentioned in the book.

Visit leaderassistantbook.com/bonus to dig deeper as you read along.

Connect and Share

As you engage with the book, I’d love to hear from you! Ask questions, share feedback, or just say hi at leaderassistant.com/contact or email me at [email protected]. Also, let me know your favorite quotes from the book by sharing them on social media using the hashtags #LeaderAssistant and #AssistantsLEAD.

Take a Second Look

If you find yourself thinking, This won’t work in my context, as you read certain sections, don’t default to skipping them. Instead, take a second look. Ask yourself, What about this section will work in my context? Leader Assistants always look for ways to learn and apply things to their work—even if there are no obvious applications at first glance.

Jump around as Needed

If, however, you’ve turned to this book because you’re struggling with something in particular, feel free to jump straight to that topic’s chapter to get immediate help. For example, if you’re burned out, flip over to chapter 23. If you’re overwhelmed with managing your executive’s calendar, start