communication tips for administrative assistants

5 Powerful Communication Strategies for Administrative Assistants

Do you have a healthy curiosity that you use in your day-to-day communications?

I was inspired today to share with you 5 powerful communication strategies for administrative assistants that I often teach in my World Class Assistant™ Certification and Designation Program. However, I want to assure you that if you are not in the administrative profession, you will still greatly benefit from today’s topic. So continue reading.

In order to excel in today’s workplace, you will need to be a good investigator.

Why?

Because so often in the fast-paced world we work in, people do not communicate well or perhaps better said, completely. What seems clear to them is incomplete to us.

1. Ask Questions

Learn to ask questions; specifically, the right question. The right question clarifies. It encourages details. The right question grants you the information necessary to perform the task for the purpose of completion with excellence.

2. Ask The Next Question!

The next question elaborates. It encourages additional helpful information. It is not badgering in tone; it does not interrupt the speaker (or it may be seen as argumentative). Asking the next question is a technique to gain additional details.

3. Be Proactive

There is no way around this one. If you want to sit in your chair and wait to handle “transaction-based” tasks that come all the way to your desk, you won’t be a good investigator!

Ask, seek, compare, analyze, resource, hunt, gather, glean, and energize your work tasks by building your investigative skills to gain increasing knowledge so that you can make better decisions and become that “go to” person in your organization who will proactively get the information people need and want in an efficient manner.

4. Be Resourceful

Glean the Internet for reputable sources of information. Read the Wall Street Journal after your manager is done with it. Scour the publications and journals for pertinent information. Learn what your manager likes to follow, and become her eyes and ears on the subject.

5. Use Caution In Relaying Potent Information

Resist the temptation to share what you have heard or know if it will harm someone or break confidentiality. Remember never to harm the trust your executive or manager extends to you. Think carefully about the timing, venue, and reason you are sharing pertinent information with another.

(content derived from the World Class Assistant™ Program) 

World Class Assistant Training for Assistants

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