Courageous Help

On this episode, we listened back on all of the wisdom our guests have shared this year and chose some of our favorite moments for a Best Of Courageous Help 2023 episode. If you hear a clip that really strikes you, we’ve linked the full episodes below so you can go listen to the whole thing. Themes with timestamps and full episodes linked: Shaping the perception of EAs - [1:58] Rachel Bonetti Lauren Bradley Melissa Peoples The impact and influence of EAs - [13:53] Jenna Miller Elle Tyra Sarah Wright Mary Ryan Intentionally shaping your EA career - [24:25] Mary Ryan Jessica McBride Maggie Olson Ebony Belhumeur Assistants as culture keepers - [41:21] Rachel Bonetti Jenna Miller Annie Croner Creating your personal brand & showcasing your strengths - [48:36] Nick Ginsburg Lauren Bradley Laura Johnston Building your relationship with your leader, including being a strategic partner - [58:59] Hallie Warner Victoria Leech Ebony Belhumeur The importance of community for EAs and learning from each other - [1:10:34] Nick Ginsburg Elle Tyra Debra Coleman Technology and AI in the assistant role - [1:18:52] Anna Read Naomi White Jessica McBride How assistants can set boundaries - [1:25:52] Annie Croner Laura Johnston Melissa Peoples We really appreciate you listening this year, and look forward to what we’ll be sharing with you next!

On this episode, we’re joined by Debra Coleman, Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Learning & Employment Records at Western Governors University and host of the "Have a Seat...Conversations with Women in the Workplace" podcast. Debra joins us today to share about who might thrive being an EA in academia, how assistants across generations can learn from one another, and a reminder of how great you’re doing and how supported you are in this role. Connect with Debra on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Debra’s podcast episode: From Typewriters to TikTok: Thriving in a Multi-Generational Office

On this episode, we’re joined by Ebony Belhumeur, former Silicon Valley Executive Assistant, now Head of Operations at Subspace Labs and Curator at The Assistant’s List - A Guide for Assistants in the New Era. Ebony joins us today to share about exactly how to challenge pre-existing assumptions about assistants, getting clear on your career goals and working backward with tenacity, and developing valuable skills beyond the surface level to establish yourself as a truly strategic partner. Connect with Ebony on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter - by Michael D. Watkins Ebony’s blog post on Becoming a Trusted Partner The Ultimate Critical Thinking Cheat Sheet

On this episode, we’re joined by Maggie Olson, former Chief of Staff to a President at T-Mobile, and owner of Maggie Olson Consulting, a fractional Chief of Staff consulting firm. Maggie is also the creator and instructor of the Chief of Staff Certification Course. Maggie joins us today to share about delineating between the EA and Chief of Staff role, why an assistant might choose one role over the other, and how getting really practical with tools and hands-on practice is what results in confidence. Connect with Maggie on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Maggie’s Chief of Staff Certification The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance---What Women Should Know - by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

On this episode, we’re joined by Mary Ryan, Executive Business Partner to the CEO of Stitch, and a 2nd generation, seasoned Executive Assistant with 20 years total experience as an administrative professional. Mary joins us today to share how assistants are uniquely positioned to bring a human element to business, how to be trusted with more responsibility no matter where you’re starting, and why satisfying career growth as an EA can be a ladder OR a lattice. Connect with Mary on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: “Grit” by Angela Duckworth Hear more of Mary’s wisdom on Planning Engaging Offsites

On this episode, we’re joined by Melissa Peoples, the CEO and Founder of Admin Gurus, a company dedicated to equipping, empowering, and enabling Administrative Professionals to take their seat at the table. Melissa joins us today to share practical self-inquiry and steps for building confidence in the role, spicy insights into the profession still being 98% women, and what to ask your leader instead of “how can I help?”. Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Other folks to follow: Meg Steinschauer Ebony Belhumeur Debra Coleman Melissa’s top rated Youtube Channel

On this episode, we’re joined by Jessica McBride, the Founder of Tech Savvy Assistant where she helps assistants stay ahead of the curve in today's rapidly changing tech environment. Jessica joins us today to share why AI won’t be able to replace the true value assistants bring, what being a tech-savvy assistant really means, and how embracing technology and AI is opening up new avenues for career growth and advancement. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: TechSavvy TechStack Sign up for Jessica’s newsletter Check out upcoming Events hosted by Jessica

On this episode, we’re joined by Victoria Leech, a seasoned Executive Assistant, now Chief of Staff, passionate about supporting administrative professionals in reaching their full potential. Victoria joins us today to share about the most important set of skills for new and mid-level EAs, the power of relationship building as an assistant, and applying all the things you do for your leader to yourself. Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Nonviolent Communication Joindonna.io Favorite AI tools: Motion- manages calendars and tasks Airgram.io - note-taking automation

On this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Wright, Executive Assistant to the Founder and CEO of The Opportunity Trust, a nonprofit working to ensure that every child who calls St. Louis home is prepared to thrive. Sarah was matched with Eric during her time as a Base EA contractor, and recently celebrated her first year as an EA. Sarah joins us today to share about the mental and emotional reprieve of the EA/Executive relationship, redefining the standard of excellence for an EA through a part-time and remote work perspective, and knowing the value you bring as an EA, and that it’s enough. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: 1. The Opportunity Trust Careers Page 2. REACH Podcast Episodes Part One: The Ins and Outs of Remote Support and How to Get it Right Part Two: The Ins and Outs of Remote Support and How to Get it Right 3. The Founder Factor Episode 6 - Building a Human-Based Business: Paige McPheely, Founder and CEO at Base

On this episode, we’re joined by Naomi White, former Senior EA and recently promoted to Engineering Program Manager at Cohere, a start-up in the AI space that focuses on natural language processing(think Chat GPT for reference). She has over 7 years of experience in operations and administration at tech companies, where they’ve ​​placed hiring great assistants at their core. Naomi joins us today to share about being your own spokesperson as well as a listening ear, how you can go beyond “making someone’s life easier” as an EA, and all the ways assistants can utilize AI to supercharge their efforts. Connect with Naomi on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Invisible Women - by Caroline Criado Perez

On this episode, we’re joined by Laura Johnston, assistant of 10+ years, and creator of The Assistant’s Handbook, a blog for EAs, where she mainly writes about tech and what it means to be an assistant today. Laura joins us today to share about gathering the perspectives, skills, and tools to get what you want out of your career, untying your value from your role as an EA, as well as how assistants can explore new technology and introduce it in the workplace. Connect with Laura on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: The Assistant’s Handbook - Laura’s blog The Leader Assistant by Jeremy Burrows The Founder & Force Multiplier Multipliers by Liz Wiseman Just Work by Kim Scott

On this episode, we’re joined by Elle Tyra, the Executive Assistant to the President of Hauser & Wirth, a contemporary and modern art gallery, and formerly the Executive Assistant to the CEO of The New York Times. Elles joins us today to share how assistants are bringing equity into spaces where there traditionally has been bias, getting extremely clear on how you want to partner as an EA, and how assistants inspire and impact everyone in the room to speak up, including c-suite. Connect with Elle on Linkedin.

On this episode, we’re joined by Annie Croner, the Founder and CEO of Whole Assistant, an online platform and community formed to provide a positive place where assistants can go to transform their lives and level up their careers. Annie joins us today to share her own story of burnout, why you should proactively ask for help to navigate stressful situations, and all the ways assistants can be the glue that holds companies together. Connect with Annie on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Whole Assistant website The Whole Assistant podcast

On this very special episode of Courageous Help, we’re joined by Paige McPheely and Casey Putschoegl live at Base’s Admin Week Summit. Paige and Casey are long-time friends who co-founded two companies: 33Vincent and Base. Today, they lead the team at Base as CEO and President, working toward a clear mission to make the world’s leaders and assistants more productive and successful through innovative technology. They share how they ultimately came to create two companies for assistants based on the undeniable leverage this role provides for companies and people, the most impactful things an assistant has ever done for them, and where they see the future of support roles going in the next handful of years. Connect with Casey and Paige on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Base, the modern solution for Executive Assistants Armored Versus Daring Leadership, Part 1 Armored Versus Daring Leadership, Part 2 “Do Better Work” by Max Yoder

On this episode, we’re joined by Anna Read, the Grants Administrator at YWCA Central Alabama, where she uses her passion for empowering underrepresented communities to advance social justice and equality. Anna is also the co-founder of eaea, an organization that connects Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff to discuss resources, learn best practices, and grow together in community. She has also served as a trainer for Join The Officials. Anna joins us today to chat about how she pushed herself to take on a role she didn’t feel prepared for, the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why assistants should push for new opportunities even when they are facing resistance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn and Instagram. Resources mentioned in the episode: EAEA The Officials The Founder & The Force Multiplier WorkLife with Adam Grant How I Built This The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

Join us at Admin Week Summit — a week of learning, connecting, and inspiration to celebrate all the ways administrative professionals are changing the world — from April 24th - 28th, 2023. Register at basehq.com/admin-week-summit Learn more and sign up for the Base Workshop series in May at base-app.co/workshops

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Lauren Bradley, founder of The Officials: an online platform that empowers assistants through community, courses, and coaching. Her career as an award-winning assistant and business owner spans nearly twenty years, where she has worn many hats including office manager, executive assistant, virtual assistant, and private PA to high-net-worth individuals. Lauren is also a corporate trainer, mentor, speaker, and highly awarded entrepreneur. Lauren joins us today to discuss how temping snowballed into an assistant career, the impact we can have on the human sides of business, and her favorite mindset shift that has opened up doors for more equal dynamics in the workplace. Connect with Lauren on Linkedin and at The Officials. Resources mentioned in the episode: Upcoming events with The Officials

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenna Miller, Chief of Staff at Betterworks, which creates HR software that puts employee experience at the heart of how companies align, motivate, retain and develop their people. Jenna has held a number of strategic positions at organizations such as Business Wire, Fluxx, and Optimizely. She has always been passionate about helping others, and recently assisted in developing the Betterworks DEIB Initiative. Jenna joins us today to share how assistants can impact the world in seemingly small day-to-day things; including having the courage to take micro-risks and swim outside your lane, being an ambassador of company culture, and having your own voice instead of just being the voice in someone else’s ear. Connect with Jenna on LinkedIn. Resources mentioned in the episode: Makeworkbetter.com

On this episode, we’re joined by Nick Ginsburg, a professional speaker, podcast host, and administrative professional. He currently works as the Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior Vice-President at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Nick also founded The Admin Collective, a worldwide community for Admin Professionals that focuses on professional and personal development. Nick joins us to discuss the power of finding your voice; including how to build connections and feel less alone in your role, tips on navigating the balancing act of being yourself while representing someone else, and the power of a personal brand (that isn’t about building a social media presence or becoming a thought leader). Connect with Nick on LinkedIn, Instagram, and at The Admin Collective.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Hallie Warner, Chief of Staff to the Founder and CEO of Adam Hergenrother Companies and the co-author of “The Founder & The Force Multiplier: How Entrepreneurs and Executive Assistants Achieve More Together.” Hallie joins us to share how she has worked with the same leader for over 12 years, the ways she has seen the assistant role evolve in that time, and her top tips for using influential leadership to create a great partnership. Connect with Hallie on LinkedIn and Goodreads. Resources mentioned in the episode: The Founder & Force Multiplier book The Founder & Force Multiplier websiteStrategic Partnerships in Action: Paige McPheely, CEO of Base, with Executive Assistant Natalie Turner7 Questions You Must Ask to Deepen Any Relationship