I’m in Charge
Executary News, May 2008

Research suggests that the PA is increasingly taking on greater responsibility to manage other employees. So is additional training needed?

The significant growth in the number of PAs managing others may be because taking on management responsibilities is one of the best ways to progress a career or because managers recognise that PAs have greater abilities than ever.

Richard Grace, co-managing director of Gordon Yates, says that larger companies may give PAs detailed management guidelines, but that smaller firms tend to be less formal. He says:

“In smaller companies PAs may be the mother hen for other support staff and start to take on things like co-ordinating holidays and giving appraisals. They might not have started out supervising anyone but they end up looking after a team.”

Such people are less likely to be offered management training. Richard Grace adds: “A lot of the time, they are left to fend for themselves. The pro-active types might persuade their employer to pay for a course or two, but a lot of times, the company just promotes people without thinking about whether they have the skills.”

This lack of training may not be a problem. Richard Grace says: “A lot of the skills you’ll have built up in your role anyway and training courses aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. What can be more useful is learning from other managers, particularly in the organisation, so networking is key. If you really want to go on a management course, try to get it in a specific area you feel you’re weak in.”

Richard Grace suggests the following tips for managing people for the first time:

Apply common sense – treat others as you would want to be treated.

Go on management courses – but above all be yourself.

Take it slowly – moving into a management position is a big learning curve.

Be prepared to muck in when others are under pressure. This demonstrates teamwork and will earn you respect.

Delegate, don’t dump. Imagine that you are the other person - how you would feel?

Talk to people about their job and the challenges they face. Listening will help you identify ways to do things better.

Be straightforward when communicating with your team. Avoid management speak.

Don’t worry when people disagree – it’s healthy.

Treat friends the same as anyone else. If they expect special treatment, a quiet word might help. Equally, don’t over compensate and discriminate against your friends.

Adapted from “I’m in Charge” by Kate Hilpern

Executary News, May 2008