After 5 with Capital EA

The pathways we walk can be all too hard at times, but when I chat to Blair, I can't help but think that it's the challenges she has faced that has made her the superstar she is today.

From tragedy early in life, during the most high-pressured times of having a baby. Blair shares with us how she leaned in to her values to creating a life of freedom, wealth, success and finding love again with true alignment. Network marketing being the start to create a lifestyle suited to being a mum, and the essence of timing, but always reassessing her values to ensure overall success continues.

I loved Blair's analogy of 'People see what People see', and why communication is critical to changing a person's perspective as we can never assume they will see what you want them to see, as people base their beliefs from their own values. It's so critical to the human condition yet we seldom consider sharing information to make it easier for others to understand.

I am sure you will join me here in enjoying this insightful podcast with Blair, she is a natural people person, she is bright, young, and someone anyone from all walks of life would love to learn from.

You can connect with Blair's business Pura Holistic Hair Studio located in Nicolls on the Northside and now on the Southside in Narrabundah ACT.

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We invited the lovely Clare Loney, a current Executive Assistant in the NSW Government environment to share with us her personal take on criticism. This topic is raised with us regularly and at times it's a matter of looking at our own space and situation's that are possibly affecting our work environment before we hit a potential 'breaking point'. Particularly when we operate in a full bucket most days.

I appreciated Clare's specific points raised such as separating her personal life from her professional life.

Clare shares her personal tips on how to overcome difficult times, including mindfulness, communicating your situation so that others can understand the space you're currently in, and why a simple cup of coffee/tea can make the world of difference to providing a personal update by not assuming your Executive and peers to read between the lines.

It's about having faith in yourself, not being afraid to speak up and getting back on the problem solving objective that makes us us at the end of the day! It's breaking down the 'blame barriers' as Clare states.

You can connect with Clare via LinkedIn here, she would be very happy to meet up or have a chat with her peers!

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Ever wonder what it takes to work for a High-Net Worth Individual? Brian Daniel talks with us about why he built an international recruitment firm and why being a former Executive Assistant really grasps the brief requirements. 'An EA truly understands the nuances required'. We talk about why having a LinkedIn profile is so important to be 'picked up' and equally for those without a profile, what capabilities one requires to be successful in the role. Having a 'service heart' is one capability but so is being predictive by envisioning every possible part in the future, that potentially the principal/executive may not even see themselves.

Brian was absolutely fascinating to talk with, I found there to be so many synergies in the way we all work as Executive Assistants but also cover why professional development is crucial to survival and trajectory in the role. He talks about some wonderful opportunities offered by LinkedIn that have partnered with Harvard which are free to little cost that provides a very cost effective way to assisting an EA in setting them apart from others.

Take a listen, you can connect with Brian via LinkedIn here or via his website, I'm positive you will find him engaging and interesting too!

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When asked what sets you up well in any role? Jackson sees Administration as a solid starter!

At the lovely age of 21, Jackson has moved to Canberra from Sydney to further his life's vision by first commencing in administration then to manoeuvre his way into politics and one day be a Senator or Minister in the big house. Jackson completed a degree in Politics and International Relations this year (2022) and is an avid supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and its issues.

We talk many things including the social policy areas Jackson wishes to advance to help create a larger Canberra LGBTQIA+ Community. Jackson is bright, confident and so genuine in his endeavours, he puts a smile on everyones face that has the pleasure to meet him. Our listeners also have the opportunity to hear a little extra fun that Jackson enjoys doing in his down time, I encourage you to stay on and listen for these fun bits.

If you're keen to connect with Jackson Ward, he'd love to hear from you via Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-ward-0187951a7

Otherwise, shoot us an email at [email protected] and we'll arrange a connection with him.

As always, if you enjoy listening to our podcasts, please give us a follow, like and share with your friends that may also need to hear a little from us. 

Here we have Chantalle Labutte – one word to describe this girl is DRIVEN! She has blown me away with her love for this role, and this is something she has wanted to do since high school.

Chantalle talks about how much more there is to the Executive Assistant role, and in her words “it is what you make it”.

We discuss the tips and tricks Chantalle has picked up along her career to date, and the importance of managing upwards along with finding balance – so important!

For anyone just starting out, or interested in some tips that can help you prioritize and advance in your role, be sure to listen in and reach out should you wis to get in touch with Chantalle.

Lasty, if you enjoy our podcast, please follow and share with others so we can keep on doing them 😊

Upon meeting Kristina last year, I recognised immediately, she was a young woman on a mission! Having just commenced in an EA role within a Federal Government Department, Kristina wanted to hit the ground running…and boy, did she advance quickly. At the tender age of just 22, this girl is going places.

One thing stands clear for me when talking with Kristina, that, when meticulously lining up your goals and hitting them, one can really make some BIG trajectory in your career.

Our conversation highlights Kristina's background including her further education, learning the role of an EA and all it entails and now entering the APS5 role and working with an Executive Officer too. 

There's lots of 'gold nuggets' in this conversation, that provides lots of insights on the new EA transitioning quickly with gusto and determination.

If you wish to connect to connect with Kristina, please get in touch with us ([email protected] or 02 61090333) and we'll be only too happy to hook you up.

Of course, if you or someone you know should tell their EA/PA story…sing out and recommend them! We want to hear and share everyone's story - we all have one to tell!

Enjoy the podcast, and don't forget to give us a like :-)

Senior Executive Assistant Shaunee Robb works for the Acting CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)

From Raiders Cheerleader to a very busy CEO office, I found Shaunee to be a woman ready to roll up her sleeves, especially if it's under the banner of being a 'positive impact' to someone which I found incredibly refreshing! 

Shaunee recounts her career thus far and shares a little of what her future will hold too, she has tried her hand at finance, HR, project management to Executive support and firmly believes this is the role that provides her with the most bang.

Together with her peers over at NIAA, she also conducts a National Induction Session for new EAs onboarding twice per year, her mission is to ensure she is always a great mentor and considers it paramount that EAs work on their own foundation to set themselves up right from the beginning to own your role and be a confident strategic partner.

Take a listen and be sure to give it a thumbs up if you enjoyed it as this keeps us motivated to roll them out for you :-)

Finding solutions and 'herding cats' was the key message in our little chat with Gemma Beggs this month! This one was developed to give some deeper insights into what's required to transition from EA to Senior Advisor. Working in the Victorian Government just 3 months has provided its challenges, but none that as so far ruffled Gemma.

Gemma moved from Canberra to take up this career opportunity and it she is super proud of demonstrating her skillset in stakeholder management, negotiation, time management and maintaining systems and processes successfully.

Whilst being motivated by her boss to continue to push ahead in her role, it was also the confidence to believe in herself and kick things up a little by building trust in those that she works with to continue to drive the things that she's keen to see developed in the office and her executive team.

I encourage you to connect with Gemma via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmabeggs/ and reach out if you have any questions, she is more than happy to have a chat with any EAs that are looking to progress to these roles and has a wealth of insights that can help!

If you enjoyed this podcast, please like and share it with your network. You just never know who may need to hear and it also gives us motivation to keep things real in this industry we have all come to work so hard in. 

Ursula x

What a super duper person Lizzie is, she completely blew my mind with her tenacious attitude toward everything she put her hand to! 

Lizzie is 23 years old and has taken to the role of being an EA after her mum's advice that she'd be great at it. She shares her transition from child care, call centres, countless interviews and how critical communication is for a successful way forward.

Lizzie's message to everyone listening, is 'don't be afraid to ask questions', it has meant so much to her achieving advancement and overall promotion in her career already.

For anyone just starting out, or interested in some tips that can help advance. Be sure to listen  in and reach out should you wish to get in touch with Lizzie.

Lastly, if you enjoy our podcast, please follow and share with others so we can keep on doing them :-)

Extra is actually a great word to sum up Nikki-Lee, she provides extra to everything she applies her hand to.

Developing a passion for people, Nikki-Lee shares her transition points merging from receptionist to working for 7 years with Deceased Estates at Tasmanian Perpetual Trustee  dealing with grief, anger and sadness! Nikki-Lee has gained so much insight by working with people at all emotional stages in their lives.

Nikki-Lee has been a Volunteer in an interesting field, doing an incredible job as it was here that Nikki-Lee was introduced to the world of the Executive Assistant and through this opportunity took her 

Nikki-Lee has been the Office Manager, EA to the COO and now Manager of Business Support working at KPMG Tasmania. 

I encourage you to connect with Nikki-Lee, she's the absolute bomb and is so happy to share her ideas, mentorship and network.

Nikki-Lee can be contacted via LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lee-prismall-596333104/