The Leader Assistant Podcast with Jeremy Burrows

Melba Duncan has trained assistants since before I was an EA, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to interview her on the show.One of the most life-changing articles I've ever read was Melba's piece in a 2011 issue of Harvard Business Review called, The Case for Executive Assistants – which is still shared far and wide by EAs all over the world.In fact, the day I interviewed Melba, she was featured in this Forbes article.As I went back and edited this episode, I was blown away at how much wisdom Melba had to share during our brief conversation.We cover a variety of topics including how to be innovative as an assistant, why assistants are crucial to an executive's success, how executives can get more out of their assistants, what makes an assistant a leader, how to stay healthy and rest in the midst of a demanding role, tips for recruiting assistants, and much more.Show notes - leaderassistant.com/22Subscribe - podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

Gina Cotner, CEO of Athena Executive Services, discusses the differences between virtual and on-site assistants, getting clients as a VA, and standing out as a high-performing EA. The episode is focused on VAs and those considering the role, offering insights and tips for success in the field.

In my decade plus of experience as an executive assistant, I’ve come up with several tricks to a good system for setting up meetings that help me be efficient, helpful to others, and ultimately take control of my executive's calendar.In this episode, I share the following three tips to help you schedule meetings more easily.#1 - Add meeting blocks to your executive's calendar.#2 - Don't let your executive schedule meetings.#3 - Don't ask the other party to send options.Show notes at leaderassistant.com/20Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

When I first shared the crazy idea to start a coaching business for assistants with my friend John Ruhlin (Author of the book Giftology), he said, "Have you heard of Bonnie Low-Kramen?"I had not, so I looked her up and was so encouraged that I wasn't the only one who had the idea to help assistants be leaders!Since that day in 2016, I've followed Bonnie's work, and connected with her on LinkedIn. It wasn't until early 2019 that I had the pleasure of speaking with her. I was so encouraged and felt so supported, so once I started the podcast, I knew I had to have her on the show.In 2016 when I first heard about Bonnie, I never imagined I would one day interview her on my own assistant podcast. The day is finally here and I couldn't be more excited to share our conversation with you, so I hope you enjoy it!We talk about bullying, speaking up, being a celebrity's assistant, being sexually attracted to your executive, and much more.Show notes at leaderassistant.com/19 Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

This episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast features Nick Ginsburg who is Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior VP at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.I've never met Nick before (he's in Australia, I'm in Missouri), but he took a risk and "raised his hand" to be a guest on the podcast.Because we are both EAs, it felt like we'd known each other for a while even though this interview was our first time speaking. Nick had great things to share from his experience so I'm thankful he reached out to share a bit of his story!What's the lesson in all this?Assistants, YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL, so get out there and tell it!Show notes at leaderassistant.com/18 Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

As Chief of Staff, Hallie Warner works closely with the executive team to manage special projects, hire and grow talent, and maximize her executive's reach through events and strategic communication.In this episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast, Hallie and I talk about the differences between an Executive Assistant and a Chief of Staff, managing interruptions, writing a book, working too much, and what makes an assistant a leader.Hallie and her executive, Adam Hergenrother co-authored the book, The Founder and the Force Multiplier.Show notes at leaderassistant.com/17Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

I had the honor of speaking with Monique Helstrom about what it means to lead as an assistant, what executives should look for in assistants, how the EA role provides so many unique opportunities to learn, and that time she got a voicemail from Will Smith. :)Monique served as Chief of Simon Sinek, New York Times Best-Selling author and TED celebrity, and she now speaks and trains executives and assistants on how to build confidence within their partnership.Monique also helps startups and new businesses grow.Show notes at leaderassistant.com/16Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

What would life be like if you were assistant to the former President of the United States?I had the pleasure of speaking with Peggy Grande, former Executive Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, and author of "The President Will See You Now."Tune in to hear Peggy talk about what it was like being an assistant to such a well-known world leader, and how she ended up in such a unique EA role.Peggy also shares what she learned about communication from "The Great Communicator." Show notes at leaderassistant.com/15 Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.com Join the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

Most of my podcast guests are assistants or former assistants, so I’m excited to hear a different perspective on today’s show.Today I talk with my wife's long-time friend and former Purdue pole vault teammate, J Ballentine. J was in corporate America for 11 years, then left to start her own business.We talk about hiring assistants, managing assistants, as well as public speaking. In fact, I love this quote regarding public speaking from J in this episode:"Be structured in how you prepare, but organic in how you present."Show notes at leaderassistant.com/14Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

Melissa Peoples is a Certified Microsoft Trainer with over 25 years of experience supporting C-Suite level executives in companies such as National Instruments, Dell, General Motors, The Ohio State University, AllState, and Eli Lily.We chat about managing board meetings, being vulnerable, and dealing with online trolls.Show notes at leaderassistant.com/13Subscribe at podcast.leaderassistant.comJoin the community at slack.leaderassistant.com or facebook.leaderassistant.com--It’s the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It’s actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community