E is for Executive Assistants

As a trainer in cross-cultural communication and a coach for Executive Assistants, I’ve been pondering the ultimate merger between these seemingly separate fields: What cross-cultural awareness and skills could Executive Assistants most benefit from?

EAs are crucial linchpins in the global modern workplace. They are already expert translators between the Executive they support and their teams and clients. If that Executive is managing a diverse team, and/or teams located in different countries, then adding cross-cultural skills to an EA’s toolbelt is a great professional development step.

What can Executive Assistants do to strengthen their cross-cultural skills?
– Learn about the specific culture(s) your business engages with
– Adapt their actions to mirror how the other cultures behave to build rapport
– Focus on communication. Be acutely aware of how things may be interpreted
– Always seek feedback. Check for understanding and make sure your reputation is being upheld cross-culturally.

Reach out to me if you’re interested in the cross-cultural training I’ve been developing specifically for Executive Assistants.

A-Z of Cross-Cultural Awareness
This blog post is part of a series of short posts on cross-cultural awareness. Keep an eye out for the rest of the series.