My article “Organizational Change: Start SMALL for a Big Impact” was originally published in Executive Support Magazine a few years ago, and I’m happy to say that this framework still holds up today.

Starting with the SMALL framework

Read on to see how the Global Skills Matrix places assistants firmly in a role of catalysts for change, and how by approaching organizational change with a view to SMALL can have a Big impact.

Imagine the impact we can have as a profession when proactively using our skillset and viewing our role as essential in organizational change.

My article “Organizational Change: Mindset Matters” was originally published in Executive Support Magazine.

Assistants play a crucial role in building the foundations needed for change in ways both big and small.

Read on to see how shifting to a mindset for change is so important if we are to succeed in leading meaningful change together.

Imagine the impact we can have as a profession when proactively using our skillset and viewing our role as essential in organizational change.

My article “Leveraging Information for IMPACT” was originally published in Executive Support Magazine.

Assistants have the chance to make an impact when it comes to change in ways both big and small: the working environments that we create alongside those we support are important to cultivating a mindset for change, the constant pursuit of getting the right and relevant information needed to stay on top of matters for our leaders and teams is crucial, and how assistants are consistently – and uniquely – focused on managing the flow of information within our organizations makes a real difference when it comes to facilitating progress when implementing changes.

Take your opportunity to make an impact

When I had the chance to research how assistants are engaging in change within their organizations, one fact was clear: assistants are well suited to navigate change within their organizations alongside the leaders and teams they support.

The landscape of information that lies in front of an assistant offers a unique view and perspective of how an organization is progressing in change and can reveal new paths towards managing change effectively.

Trust that the unique perspective and information you have is relevant and can have an impact when leveraged in a positive, productive, and responsible way.

Take the opportunity to use that information in small but significant ways to Inform, Motivate, Plan, Advocate, Connect, and Turn the page to the next step, moving forward and approaching change in a better way.

References

David Cowan, Strategic Internal Communication (2017), 2^nd ed. New York: Kogan Page Limited

My article “Organizational Change: Learning Matters” was originally published in Executive Support Magazine.

Publishing this article carried a special weight and meaning for me, as it was the last article of a five-part series to introduce the SMALL framework.

I developed this framework, that I hoped would resonate with assistants in a way that reflects the skills and tasks of the profession. Sharing it, writing about it, and presenting it to others has taught me even more about how assistants are approaching change in their organizations. I’m incredibly grateful to those who have been part of those conversations.

And, it has confirmed to me the importance of keeping up those conversations of how we can engage in change within our organizations going forward, alongside the leaders and teams we support.

This article on Learning focuses on how learning through reflection is a powerful way to make progress, have an impact, and experience change well.

The simple, often forgotten, but crucial act of reflecting on how you’ve experienced change and how others have experienced change reminds us that change is both a personal and a collective experience.

Further reflecting on how you can contribute when it comes to managing change in your organizations - alongside the leaders and teams you support - will not only benefit your own organization but also the profession as a whole.

Why? Because change is at the core of the agenda of today’s organizations, and if we are to further elevate the assistant profession we must also put managing through those changes at the core of the assistant role.

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Beginnings ARE Hard. Thank you, Substack.

I’m told just to get up, walk towards the water, and jump in.

Why this?

I’m here starting AssistWorthy because I believe I have something to share, say, write, learn, pass on and experience.

There are a lot of sites out there for Assistants. /Executive Assistants. /PAs. /Strategic Business Partners. /Business Managers. /Put your “Assistant” title here. There are hundreds of Assistant titles. (And that’s maybe the rub of understanding the role, that sand in our shoes that will always be there. But - of course - we keep on walking.)

All of the titles, all the sites and all the voices are Worthy. I would like to highlight what I can, share what I can and add my point-of-view.

I am not here to compete. I’m here to contribute, curate, collaborate and create.

What kind of community am I looking to build here?

This space will be a space worth your time. If you’re in the business of “Assisting” in your organizations then I hope I can add value to your day by highlighting and writing about our Assistant universe in a new way. Remember, I am just walking from the shore into the water, dipping my feet in, on my way. I’m not yet fully swimming. So this AssistWorthy community will grow with the ripples of what we throw in, together.

Be specific?

You love clarity? I get that. Me too. Specifically, I would like to write about topics that uplift this AssistWorthy space by highlighting all that assistants do, how they do it, where they are learning from and who they are trained by. What are the worthy topics of the moment? There are a lot of truly inspiring, uplifting and important voices on the shores, on the docks, IN the water. Let’s let the light shine on them.

Why hear from me?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. And I’ve discovered my voice, one I am willing to put out there and share with you here on these pages.

I’ve been an Assistant for quite awhile now. I’ve put in the years and the work and I’ve built up a great network over time. I’ve learned a ton - on the job, from other assistants, in academia, from the people I’ve supported and worked with, from the training I’ve been privileged to attend and the experts I’ve been following.

I’ve studied and written on the topic of Organizational Change, and how Assistants are engaging in change in their roles. I’ve written articles on the topic. It’s a place I have dove into, head first and way deep.

And I believe, and hope, that my voice, my experiences and my knowledge on the topic of change is worthy of sharing with you.

One last thing, why now?

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the last fleeting moment before you say goodbye or step into a new place is sometimes the most important or most memorable?

Here on AssistWorthy I hope this space is about empowerment, engagement and -ultimately - elevating the role of the Assistant.

If you’re an Assistant, you are working alongside people who are planning something, deciding something, creating something, managing something. Leading Something. And you provide - or have the opportunity to provide - support, guidance and direction on a daily basis for that planning, deciding, creating, managing. Leading.

Now, especially now, we collectively need that support, guidance and direction.

It’s worth a lot.