HOW TO
Look busy, here comes the new boss!
Change in the workplace is inevitable but it’s never more daunting than when a new boss arrives. MICHAEL SCANLON
looks at how a PA can prepare themselves for working with a new boss
First impressions will always be incredibly important. Find out as much as you can about your new boss; where are they from, both socially and professionally, where have they worked before, what have they achieved in their career? Use the Internet to find information that will help you understand your new boss better. The more you can find out about your future boss the better prepared you’ll be for when they start.
Clarify expectations Every PA knows the importance of flexibility and being open to new ideas. This attitude towards working with a new boss will help form the basis for a lasting relation- ship. A new boss will be eager to make their mark and the last thing they will want from a PA is negativity or unnecessary barriers. Having said that, do not be afraid to question your new boss. Ask lots of questions about what your new boss expects from you. Asking questions and getting all the information you need at the start of a new working relationship is natural, and preferable to asking those same questions weeks later when you will be expected to show resourcefulness and an ability to work on your own. Remember, a new boss will also be looking at you in much the same way you are looking at them. With this in mind don’t overlook your needs. Make your new boss aware of your strengths and how you might be able to improve the way they do things. If you feel that your ability and talent are not being fully utilised say so, and explain why. See the arrival of a new boss as a positive and use the situation to express yourself, learn new skills and broaden your horizons.
Show them the ropes Although you will eventually be required to work alongside your new boss and organise your workflow accordingly, you may be required to take a more prominent role to begin with, depending on how your new boss operates. Some bosses will want to completely change all aspects of a busi- ness or job from day one, others like to step back for a short period and see for themselves how things have worked pre- viously and then make a plan of action based on that. Working with a new boss should always be seen as an opportunity to work with new people in new situations. Without this positive attitude the working relationship between you and your boss will never fulfil its potential. If you can take some of the pressure off your boss in the initial weeks of their new position by demonstrating your professionalism you will earn their respect and, as everyone knows, respect is the cornerstone of every great relationship! E
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www.executivepa.com » Aug/Sept 2010
Five top tips for working with a new boss
Flexibility Be prepared to adapt to new systems and processes. It’s important to see change as progress and embrace it.
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informal. Information like this will help you build a picture of your boss’ personal- ity and you may be able to use that under- standing later on.
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Learning curveA new boss will arrive with new ideas and their own unique
style. Expect to be busy from day one but don’t forget to learn from these new ideas and see if some of this new style of busi- ness can help you in your role.
Attitude Find out what sort of boss they are; strict or relaxed, formal or
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tions. You may think you are a good judge of character but it takes more than a few days to be able to second guess anyone, especially your boss!
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Expectations Make sure you under- stand what is expected of you. Do
you have the resources behind you to carry out the role that is expected of you? Speak up and don’t be afraid to voice con- cerns, a new boss will often introduce unrealistic goals just to get a reaction and to see what sort of people they have around them.
Communication Never take anything for granted and don’t make assump-
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