There are dozens of blogs and resources for assistants today, but not many have been around as long as Practically Perfect PA, and even fewer publish content on a consistent basis.

In this episode, you get the honor of hearing from Nicky Christmas – the woman behind the PPPA movement. 

We talk about side hustles, productivity for assistants, what to do if you're romantically or sexually attracted to your boss, and why she pretends to be Beyoncé.

Nicky and I have partnered together several times and I'm very excited to have her on the podcast!

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/25

Sponsor - lola.com/podcast

Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com

Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

Admitting you’re wrong is not easy, but it is a necessary skill to master if you want to be an impactful leader who builds a healthy culture in your workplace. 

I learned this valuable lesson about company culture while pushing carts at Walmart in high school, and it has helped me out in my career as an EA.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/24

Sponsored by lola.com

Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com

Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

This episode is full of valuable insight from my wonderful guest and new friend, Jess Lindgren. 

Jess is a long time executive assistant, founder of the Ask an Assistant podcast, and currently works as Executive Assistant to Pat Flynn – best selling author and host of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, which has been one of the top business podcasts in the last several years.

We talk about onboarding new team members, leaving a toxic environment, starting your own business, the dehumanizing nature of being an assistant, working with your executive not for them, and mental health in the workplace. 

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jess! 

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/23

Sponsored by lola.com

Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com

Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

Melba Duncan has trained assistants since before I was an EA, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to interview her on the show.

One of the most life-changing articles I've ever read was Melba's piece in a 2011 issue of Harvard Business Review called, The Case for Executive Assistants – which is still shared far and wide by EAs all over the world.

In fact, the day I interviewed Melba, she was featured in this Forbes article.

As I went back and edited this episode, I was blown away at how much wisdom Melba had to share during our brief conversation.

We cover a variety of topics including how to be innovative as an assistant, why assistants are crucial to an executive's success, how executives can get more out of their assistants, what makes an assistant a leader, how to stay healthy and rest in the midst of a demanding role, tips for recruiting assistants, and much more.

Show notes - leaderassistant.com/22
Subscribe - podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

I had the pleasure of chatting with Gina Cotner, who has a team of top notch Virtual Executive Assistants at her company, Athena Executive Services.

We talk about the differences between a virtual and on-site assistant, how to get clients if you're a VA, and how to set yourself apart as a high-performing EA.

If you are a VA, or are considering becoming one, this episode is especially for you.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/21
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

In my decade plus of experience as an executive assistant, I’ve come up with several tricks to a good system for setting up meetings that help me be efficient, helpful to others, and ultimately take control of my executive's calendar.

In this episode, I share the following three tips to help you schedule meetings more easily.

#1 - Add meeting blocks to your executive's calendar.
#2 - Don't let your executive schedule meetings.
#3 - Don't ask the other party to send options.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/20
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

When I first shared the crazy idea to start a coaching business for assistants with my friend John Ruhlin (Author of the book Giftology), he said, "Have you heard of Bonnie Low-Kramen?"

I had not, so I looked her up and was so encouraged that I wasn't the only one who had the idea to help assistants be leaders!

Since that day in 2016, I've followed Bonnie's work, and connected with her on LinkedIn. It wasn't until early 2019 that I had the pleasure of speaking with her. I was so encouraged and felt so supported, so once I started the podcast, I knew I had to have her on the show.

In 2016 when I first heard about Bonnie, I never imagined I would one day interview her on my own assistant podcast. The day is finally here and I couldn't be more excited to share our conversation with you, so I hope you enjoy it!

We talk about bullying, speaking up, being a celebrity's assistant, being sexually attracted to your executive, and much more.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/19
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

This episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast features Nick Ginsburg who is Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior VP at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

I've never met Nick before (he's in Australia, I'm in Missouri), but he took a risk and "raised his hand" to be a guest on the podcast.

Because we are both EAs, it felt like we'd known each other for a while even though this interview was our first time speaking. Nick had great things to share from his experience so I'm thankful he reached out to share a bit of his story!

What's the lesson in all this?

Assistants, YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL, so get out there and tell it!

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/18
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

As Chief of Staff, Hallie Warner works closely with the executive team to manage special projects, hire and grow talent, and maximize her executive's reach through events and strategic communication.

In this episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast, Hallie and I talk about the differences between an Executive Assistant and a Chief of Staff, managing interruptions, writing a book, working too much, and what makes an assistant a leader.

Hallie and her executive, Adam Hergenrother co-authored the book, The Founder and the Force Multiplier.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/17
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

I had the honor of speaking with Monique Helstrom about what it means to lead as an assistant, what executives should look for in assistants, how the EA role provides so many unique opportunities to learn, and that time she got a voicemail from Will Smith. :)

Monique served as Chief of Simon Sinek, New York Times Best-Selling author and TED celebrity, and she now speaks and trains executives and assistants on how to build confidence within their partnership.

Monique also helps startups and new businesses grow.

Show notes at leaderassistant.com/16
Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com
Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com

--
In-person meeting planning can be a lot to manage. That’s where TROOP Planner comes in. TROOP Planner is built to make life easier for busy assistants like yourself. Whether you’re organizing an executive offsite, department meeting, or team retreat, TROOP keeps it simple, fast, and organized.

Visit leaderassistant.com/troop to learn more!

--
Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.

--
Automate scheduling with YouCanBookMe by Capacity. Sign up for a FREE trial -> leaderassistant.com/calendar.

More from The Leader Assistant...

• Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.com
• The Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy
• Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membership
• Events -> leaderassistantlive.com
• Free Community -> leaderassistant.com/community