Izzy Gousby is the manager of an executive support team, has over 25 years of experience in the administrative field, and is also a Veteran of the United States Army Reserves.
In this episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast, Izzy discusses the power of networking, what it means to own your work, managing a team of executive assistants, and cultivating confidence.
LEADERSHIP QUOTE
The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.
– Kenneth H. Blanchard
CONNECT WITH IZZY
ABOUT IZZY
Isadora Gousby, also known as Izzy, is the manager for the Boston Executive Support Team at Analysis Group. There, she mentors and trains over 12 executive and senior administrative assistants. Prior to Analysis Group, she worked as an executive assistant to the CEO, CFO, and CMO at a biotechnology firm in Boston. Izzy has over 25 years of experience in the administrative field and is also a Veteran of the United States Army Reserves.
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THE LEADER ASSISTANT PODCAST IS PRESENTED BY EZCATER
ezCater is the nation’s most trusted provider of corporate food solutions — the best way for companies to order food for daily employee lunches, meetings, and events of any size or budget. ezCater’s simple-to-use platform provides a network of over 100,000 restaurants nationwide, business-grade reliability, food spend management tools, and 24/7 support from their highly trained customer service team.
To explore corporate food solutions or place a catering order, visit ezcater.com.
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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
00:00:00.000 –> 00:00:00.900
IZZY: Hi, everybody.
00:00:00.920 –> 00:00:06.140
IZZY: My name is Izzy Gousby, and today’s leadership quote comes from Kenneth H.
00:00:06.160 –> 00:00:13.160
IZZY: Blanchard, and it reads, The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority.
00:00:19.480 –> 00:00:26.918
<v SPEAKER_3>The Leader Assistant Podcast exists to encourage and challenge assistants to become confident, game-changing leader assistants.
00:00:34.495 –> 00:00:37.215
JEREMY: Are you tasked with ordering food for your office?
00:00:38.015 –> 00:00:39.895
JEREMY: Let me tell you about Izzy Cater.
00:00:40.595 –> 00:00:53.175
JEREMY: With over 100,000 restaurants to choose from nationwide and 24-7 customer support, Izzy Cater helps assistants like you and me succeed at work and makes our lives easier.
00:00:53.755 –> 00:00:59.215
JEREMY: Visit izzycater.com/leaderassistant to find out more.
00:01:00.095 –> 00:01:02.155
JEREMY: Hey friends, welcome to The Leader Assistant Podcast.
00:01:02.395 –> 00:01:06.795
JEREMY: It’s your host Jeremy Burrows and welcome to Episode 249.
00:01:06.815 –> 00:01:19.235
JEREMY: You can check out the show notes at leaderassistant.com/249 to get all the links and the bio and all the fun stuff of my special guest today, which is Izzy Gousby.
00:01:19.315 –> 00:01:22.155
JEREMY: Izzy is the manager of an executive support team.
00:01:22.795 –> 00:01:30.115
JEREMY: She has over 25 years of experience in the administrative field and she’s also a veteran of the United States Army Reserves.
00:01:31.015 –> 00:01:32.035
JEREMY: Izzy, welcome to the show.
00:01:32.055 –> 00:01:34.515
IZZY: Thank you so much, Jeremy.
00:01:35.455 –> 00:01:36.635
JEREMY: What part of the world are you in?
00:01:37.615 –> 00:01:38.995
IZZY: I am in Massachusetts.
00:01:39.535 –> 00:01:40.355
JEREMY: Massachusetts.
00:01:40.495 –> 00:01:40.935
JEREMY: Awesome.
00:01:40.975 –> 00:01:41.935
JEREMY: Are you from that area?
00:01:43.295 –> 00:01:49.975
IZZY: Yes, I was originally born in Brooklyn, New York, but I grew up in Massachusetts, so I claim it as my home.
00:01:50.455 –> 00:01:52.175
JEREMY: Nice, nice.
00:01:52.195 –> 00:01:55.715
JEREMY: Tell us a little bit about maybe one or two things about you personally.
00:01:55.735 –> 00:02:00.815
JEREMY: Do you have dogs, hobbies, kids, all of the above?
00:02:00.835 –> 00:02:02.335
IZZY: Oh, no.
00:02:02.355 –> 00:02:05.055
IZZY: Who has time for that when I have a husband and a child?
00:02:06.215 –> 00:02:10.635
IZZY: Well, actually, she just turned 21, so she’s no longer a child, but yes.
00:02:11.175 –> 00:02:13.495
IZZY: So it’s just me, my hubby, and my kid.
00:02:13.955 –> 00:02:14.335
JEREMY: Nice.
00:02:14.955 –> 00:02:15.355
JEREMY: Awesome.
00:02:16.475 –> 00:02:19.475
JEREMY: And then let’s talk a little bit about your career.
00:02:19.655 –> 00:02:23.675
JEREMY: And first of all, thank you for your service with the United States Army Reserves.
00:02:24.875 –> 00:02:28.635
JEREMY: And you can start before that, during that, after that.
00:02:28.755 –> 00:02:34.515
JEREMY: You know, I’d be curious to hear how you got into the world of administrative assisting.
00:02:35.755 –> 00:02:37.535
JEREMY: Was it during the Army Reserve?
00:02:37.555 –> 00:02:38.295
JEREMY: Was it after?
00:02:38.315 –> 00:02:39.115
JEREMY: Was it before?
00:02:39.115 –> 00:02:41.675
JEREMY: Just give us a little bit of your professional background.
00:02:42.875 –> 00:02:45.395
IZZY: Actually, it started when I was in high school.
00:02:46.735 –> 00:02:47.135
IZZY: Yes.
00:02:47.355 –> 00:02:52.635
IZZY: So I went to a really great high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
00:02:53.255 –> 00:03:03.075
IZZY: And the best thing about this high school was it provided opportunities for juniors and seniors to work in a lot of great organizations.
00:03:03.675 –> 00:03:10.575
IZZY: So I had my pick of the litter and I chose this one organization to work at part time.
00:03:10.715 –> 00:03:18.395
IZZY: And it was then called BBN Technologies, but then later on became Raytheon Technologies.
00:03:19.575 –> 00:03:24.735
IZZY: And I would go there part time after class for about three hours.
00:03:24.915 –> 00:03:27.615
IZZY: And during the summertime, I would work full time.
00:03:28.635 –> 00:03:39.695
IZZY: I pretty much worked up until I graduated and they offered me a full time position and kind of told me I can go to college part time.
00:03:39.715 –> 00:03:42.155
IZZY: But I said, I’m sorry, but I have to pass.
00:03:42.175 –> 00:03:42.895
IZZY: I want to go to school.
00:03:45.755 –> 00:03:53.695
IZZY: But I loved it because it was my first time really understanding what it meant to be an administrative assistant and supporting someone.
00:03:54.555 –> 00:03:55.635
IZZY: I was in the thick of it.
00:03:55.935 –> 00:03:57.835
IZZY: It was a great organization.
00:03:57.855 –> 00:04:02.275
IZZY: I didn’t directly support someone, but I assisted someone who did.
00:04:02.875 –> 00:04:04.395
IZZY: And I learned a lot from her.
00:04:05.055 –> 00:04:17.315
IZZY: And the first thing she told me was to pay close attention to detail and to always be ready to help someone if they ask for help.
00:04:17.895 –> 00:04:20.175
IZZY: And that always stuck with me even until now.
00:04:20.895 –> 00:04:22.295
IZZY: So it kind of started then.
00:04:22.315 –> 00:04:24.735
IZZY: And from there, I realized I actually love this.
00:04:24.755 –> 00:04:27.075
IZZY: And I’m kind of good at it.
00:04:27.095 –> 00:04:30.635
IZZY: You know, imagine someone who really depends on you.
00:04:31.535 –> 00:04:37.155
IZZY: And all you have to do is just kind of like follow them around and tell them what to do and where to go and how to do it.
00:04:37.695 –> 00:04:41.015
IZZY: So I felt like it was sort of like my calling.
00:04:43.795 –> 00:04:44.475
JEREMY: That’s awesome.
00:04:44.495 –> 00:04:54.115
JEREMY: So how did you then go from that and realizing that you enjoyed it and all that to maybe the next stage of your career?
00:04:55.975 –> 00:05:05.615
IZZY: Well, I realized that the best thing about what I did in high school was I was exposed to a lot of different departments and a lot of different work.
00:05:05.815 –> 00:05:08.215
IZZY: So it was never the same thing that I was doing.
00:05:09.035 –> 00:05:13.095
IZZY: And I thought, okay, I’m not sure what I really want to do.
00:05:13.115 –> 00:05:19.475
IZZY: I know I went to school for business management, but what do I do with that?
00:05:20.275 –> 00:05:25.635
IZZY: And I thought, okay, well, let me find an administrative position.
00:05:25.655 –> 00:05:32.135
IZZY: And I think that’s when I started working at Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.
00:05:32.155 –> 00:05:41.815
IZZY: And I actually started there after I came back from, I believe it was my first, yeah, boot camp.
00:05:41.835 –> 00:05:42.635
IZZY: It was boot camp.
00:05:43.355 –> 00:06:06.035
IZZY: So I went to boot camp and then I went to advanced training and I came back and I remember a friend that I went to college with and I remember I was looking for a job and she told me about Blue Cross Blue Shield and I’ve actually received this wonderful accommodation from the CEO at the time who was working there.
00:06:06.135 –> 00:06:08.455
IZZY: And I said, well, are they hiring?
00:06:08.475 –> 00:06:09.155
IZZY: Are they hiring?
00:06:09.515 –> 00:06:10.795
IZZY: I didn’t care what position it was.
00:06:10.815 –> 00:06:11.815
IZZY: I just wanted to work there.
00:06:12.635 –> 00:06:16.455
IZZY: And she said, yes, there’s a project coordinator position.
00:06:18.555 –> 00:06:23.895
IZZY: Well, actually it was administrative assistant, but it became a project coordinator and I’ll tell you why.
00:06:24.475 –> 00:06:28.775
IZZY: So it was an admin role and I said, I want to interview for it.
00:06:29.375 –> 00:06:31.215
IZZY: So she had connections.
00:06:31.475 –> 00:06:34.035
IZZY: So I actually got in through a connection, networking.
00:06:35.095 –> 00:06:52.955
IZZY: And I went on my first interview and I mentioned to them that, oh yes, I was in the military and I received this wonderful accommodation letter from you and they remembered it and they just automatically hired me and I started my way.
00:06:53.435 –> 00:07:00.695
IZZY: And it was probably one of the best jobs I had being a full-time administrative assistant.
00:07:01.335 –> 00:07:12.775
IZZY: It was so great that they actually promoted me to a project coordinator because I was actually taking on more than just your traditional assistant work.
00:07:13.775 –> 00:07:16.755
IZZY: So that led me to want to explore more.
00:07:17.655 –> 00:07:18.735
IZZY: There was always more.
00:07:18.755 –> 00:07:24.415
IZZY: I always wanted more and I didn’t know what it looked like, but I knew that coordinator wasn’t enough.
00:07:24.755 –> 00:07:28.555
IZZY: So I wanted to see what the admin world had in store for me.
00:07:29.275 –> 00:07:37.895
IZZY: So I remember working at Blue Cross Blue Shield and I had another connection, which was at an MIT.
00:07:38.915 –> 00:07:45.535
IZZY: And she called me and she said that she was leaving her current position as an admin assistant too.
00:07:46.375 –> 00:07:48.255
IZZY: And I would be a great fit.
00:07:48.555 –> 00:08:00.555
IZZY: It was a position at OpenCourseWare, which is now, which was MITx, which turned into edX, which is, I don’t know what it is now, but I said, okay, wonderful, let me apply.
00:08:01.935 –> 00:08:06.455
IZZY: Sure enough, I, during lunch break, the recruiter calls me.
00:08:06.995 –> 00:08:08.655
IZZY: She asked me, why do I want to work there?
00:08:08.675 –> 00:08:10.515
IZZY: I was taken aback.
00:08:10.775 –> 00:08:13.875
IZZY: I said, I heard nothing but great things about the organization.
00:08:13.895 –> 00:08:14.975
IZZY: I would love to work there.
00:08:15.895 –> 00:08:17.275
IZZY: Got an interview and I was hired.
00:08:18.635 –> 00:08:35.875
IZZY: And yes, a lot of my positions you’ll see has been either through a lot of networking or just knowing someone that knows someone who, or just really putting myself out there and having them know the work or the organization in which I worked at.
00:08:35.895 –> 00:08:38.695
IZZY: So they have their own direct network.
00:08:39.915 –> 00:08:44.415
IZZY: So I worked at MIT for probably the first year.
00:08:44.775 –> 00:08:50.855
IZZY: It was understood that it was a temporary position, but then that soon ended.
00:08:51.835 –> 00:09:06.355
IZZY: And because I did such a great job, I ended up taking a full-time position at MIT, which really, I think, led the way to me wanting to further my administrative career.
00:09:08.355 –> 00:09:14.255
IZZY: So from there, I said, I want to do something different.
00:09:15.395 –> 00:09:17.375
IZZY: I want to see what else I can do.
00:09:17.395 –> 00:09:20.595
IZZY: I want to see what skill sets I have.
00:09:21.235 –> 00:09:24.595
IZZY: So I didn’t want to do administrative assistant.
00:09:24.855 –> 00:09:31.615
IZZY: And that’s when I started my journey on to doing something else, which was the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
00:09:32.835 –> 00:09:34.155
IZZY: There, it was different.
00:09:34.175 –> 00:09:38.575
IZZY: It was more project-based work, which I thought I was really good at.
00:09:38.855 –> 00:09:40.695
IZZY: It wasn’t supporting anyone.
00:09:41.075 –> 00:09:59.555
IZZY: It was really just working on projects, working directly on kind of like Title IIA grants, you know, and assisting in other areas, which still had an administrative component to it, but it wasn’t necessarily supporting an executive per se.
00:10:01.035 –> 00:10:02.015
IZZY: And Jeremy, I was bored.
00:10:04.535 –> 00:10:06.655
IZZY: I was bored out of my mind.
00:10:07.655 –> 00:10:16.195
IZZY: And the only thing I kept thinking of was, I wish I was back in the assistant role because I miss it.
00:10:16.555 –> 00:10:17.615
IZZY: I really miss it.
00:10:17.935 –> 00:10:25.195
IZZY: And I said, is there a role in which I can be an assistant, but still take on more work?
00:10:26.675 –> 00:10:36.335
IZZY: So I had another friend back at MIT who worked in development, and there was a position that was fairly new.
00:10:36.355 –> 00:10:37.255
IZZY: It was a hybrid position.
00:10:38.995 –> 00:10:44.275
IZZY: And that was the senior development associate position or assistant position.
00:10:44.295 –> 00:10:50.195
IZZY: And it was a cross between a development assistant and a development associate.
00:10:50.215 –> 00:10:52.675
IZZY: So I was kind of the guinea pig for that.
00:10:53.035 –> 00:10:54.335
IZZY: They’d never tested it out.
00:10:54.355 –> 00:10:59.555
IZZY: They usually have two supporting one director, but I was one supporting two directors.
00:11:06.155 –> 00:11:09.035
IZZY: So you can only imagine how difficult it was.
00:11:09.035 –> 00:11:12.575
IZZY: It was my first time managing two people.
00:11:13.475 –> 00:11:20.475
IZZY: And if you weren’t bored anymore, I don’t I didn’t sleep, Jeremy.
00:11:22.655 –> 00:11:24.895
IZZY: That job was nonstop.
00:11:25.595 –> 00:11:26.595
IZZY: It was nonstop.
00:11:26.615 –> 00:11:28.095
IZZY: They traveled all the time.
00:11:28.115 –> 00:11:33.675
IZZY: I was doing a lot of research and it was very demanding.
00:11:33.995 –> 00:11:37.955
IZZY: And I had two different personalities I had to deal with.
00:11:38.295 –> 00:11:46.315
IZZY: One that was very relaxed, that I had to really nudge, and another one who was going 100 miles per hour.
00:11:46.335 –> 00:11:49.355
IZZY: And I just couldn’t keep up with.
00:11:49.975 –> 00:12:03.875
IZZY: So it was really the first time that I had to experience what it meant to manage up and to also prioritize my time and to really know how to ask for help.
00:12:04.755 –> 00:12:09.555
IZZY: Because I always had that mentality, whereas I don’t need help, I can handle it.
00:12:10.075 –> 00:12:11.795
IZZY: And if I ask for help, I’ll look weak.
00:12:12.715 –> 00:12:17.795
IZZY: I didn’t ask for help until there were a lot of issues in my role.
00:12:17.975 –> 00:12:24.855
IZZY: And I was struggling and I was overworked and I didn’t like what I was doing anymore.
00:12:25.435 –> 00:12:27.895
IZZY: And I wanted a way out.
00:12:27.915 –> 00:12:29.535
IZZY: So I found a way out.
00:12:30.115 –> 00:12:34.435
IZZY: I think after working 70 hours per week, I deserved it.
00:12:35.115 –> 00:12:40.395
IZZY: So I did end up working at Pine Street Inn.
00:12:41.095 –> 00:12:51.835
IZZY: And again, that was actual connection because I’ve always kind of worked at Pine Street Inn part-time on weekends, so it didn’t interfere during my full-time position.
00:12:52.795 –> 00:12:57.875
IZZY: But working at Pine Street Inn really was a different role.
00:12:58.555 –> 00:13:01.175
IZZY: This is when I first started learning how to be a manager.
00:13:02.915 –> 00:13:05.135
IZZY: And there was no more administrative work.
00:13:05.235 –> 00:13:14.935
IZZY: There was no more coordinated position, but it was now managing two different locations, 24 hours, 15 people under me.
00:13:16.815 –> 00:13:17.155
IZZY: Yes.
00:13:17.315 –> 00:13:24.115
IZZY: And it’s dealing with the homeless population, not just homeless, but also the homeless population with mental health problems.
00:13:24.555 –> 00:13:26.415
IZZY: So there was always activity.
00:13:26.595 –> 00:13:28.055
IZZY: There was always something happening.
00:13:28.855 –> 00:13:43.315
IZZY: But I learned to use my admin skillsets to kind of manage my team, to be more organized, to think critically, to be more agile.
00:13:43.655 –> 00:13:47.795
IZZY: And I felt like, okay, I’m actually good at this.
00:13:48.215 –> 00:13:50.375
IZZY: I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m good at this.
00:13:50.395 –> 00:13:52.755
IZZY: Maybe because I’m used to managing up.
00:13:53.535 –> 00:13:57.175
IZZY: So all I need to do was kind of like manage down.
00:13:57.755 –> 00:13:59.775
IZZY: But I’m actually good at this.
00:14:01.235 –> 00:14:04.895
IZZY: And yeah, that’s really the start of my manager role.
00:14:06.915 –> 00:14:16.435
JEREMY: So, you know, looking at your LinkedIn, it looks like you went back to Senior Executive Assistant to a CEO and then an Executive Assistant role.
00:14:16.455 –> 00:14:23.435
JEREMY: And then now your current role and your title is Manager of Administration and Operations, is that right?
00:14:24.075 –> 00:14:30.235
IZZY: So, yes, Manager of the Administrative Team in the Office of Administration and Operation.
00:14:30.475 –> 00:14:38.055
IZZY: So I have about right now, I see 13 direct reports because I do have a temp.
00:14:38.155 –> 00:14:45.955
IZZY: So I have 10 executive assistants and three senior administrative assistants under me in the Boston office.
00:14:47.995 –> 00:14:55.995
JEREMY: So is it, do they, so they all report to you and then, or do they all have dotted line to you and dotted line to their executive?
00:14:56.015 –> 00:14:56.695
JEREMY: How does that work?
00:14:57.535 –> 00:14:59.255
IZZY: So I am their advisor.
00:14:59.275 –> 00:15:01.335
IZZY: So they, I do meet with them.
00:15:01.455 –> 00:15:05.955
IZZY: I like to think of my role more as mentor, trainer and advisor.
00:15:07.155 –> 00:15:09.115
IZZY: I do handle performance reviews.
00:15:09.115 –> 00:15:15.615
IZZY: I do have meet with them on a weekly basis, but they do support the managing partners or the vice presidents.
00:15:16.475 –> 00:15:33.775
IZZY: And I also meet with the managing partners and vice presidents to kind of discuss how things are going, if there’s any course corrections that needs to happen, or to also nudge them if they’re not utilizing their assistant in the right manner.
00:15:36.055 –> 00:15:46.795
JEREMY: So what would you say is your number one tip for those who currently manage a team of assistants or maybe they aspire to manage assistants down the road?
00:15:46.935 –> 00:15:51.215
JEREMY: What’s like your top tip for managing a team of executive assistants?
00:15:57.082 –> 00:15:59.662
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00:16:34.062 –> 00:16:42.682
IZZY: Definitely be flexible and open to receiving feedback and to giving feedback.
00:16:43.362 –> 00:16:56.822
IZZY: A lot of times I realize that a lot of managers, they’re sort of afraid to provide certain feedback to their team or to be really open because it’s that weird thing.
00:16:56.842 –> 00:17:05.982
IZZY: It’s like, you don’t want to be too friendly, but you love your team and you want to develop a relationship, but you still have to manage them.
00:17:07.182 –> 00:17:16.422
IZZY: So it’s like you have to be flexible, you have to be open, but you also have to learn how to provide feedback and also receive feedback.
00:17:18.422 –> 00:17:25.022
IZZY: So just be open to being a friend, but also someone who has to be firm.
00:17:25.622 –> 00:17:25.942
JEREMY: Yeah.
00:17:27.302 –> 00:17:37.242
JEREMY: Do you have any system or even like software or process that you’ve found that’s helpful when giving and receiving feedback?
00:17:41.202 –> 00:17:44.162
IZZY: I think the good old-fashioned way is just meeting face-to-face.
00:17:44.982 –> 00:18:02.062
IZZY: One thing I’ve learned, Jeremy, is that these are trying times, and there are a lot of people who are going through some personal things, and a lot of it can actually present itself in the workplace.
00:18:03.022 –> 00:18:18.542
IZZY: And when it does, I like to meet with my staff face-to-face and have conversations and feedback because then I can provide that softer side, that empathy, but also be able to let them know I’m here to support you.
00:18:19.002 –> 00:18:20.262
IZZY: We’re going to be okay.
00:18:20.322 –> 00:18:21.802
IZZY: We’re going to make it happen.
00:18:23.522 –> 00:18:24.922
IZZY: And that’s the only way I like it.
00:18:25.722 –> 00:18:33.042
IZZY: But if there’s training that needs to happen, we will utilize whatever software training tools needed to make sure that they get back on track.
00:18:35.982 –> 00:18:36.342
JEREMY: Awesome.
00:18:36.362 –> 00:18:47.422
JEREMY: Well, what about, let’s talk a little bit about confidence, and just how have you, throughout your career, cultivated your own confidence?
00:18:47.462 –> 00:18:52.942
JEREMY: And then maybe as a second part to the question, how have you helped your team be confident?
00:18:54.962 –> 00:19:05.742
IZZY: I think my confidence started when I made mistakes, and I realized that I can no longer afford to make that mistake, and I cannot internalize it.
00:19:07.002 –> 00:19:10.262
IZZY: Once I internalize something, that’s when there’s a downward spiral.
00:19:11.622 –> 00:19:58.202
IZZY: But if I have confidence enough to know that, okay, I’m human, I made a mistake, but I’m not going to do it again, and I’m going to figure out what to do better, I’m going to prove myself because I belong here, then I’m really giving myself empowerment to know that I can actually do the job, and I just learned to walk in a room knowing that I’m going to watch everything, I’m going to dot every I and cross every T, I’m going to listen intently, I’m going to do what you ask me to do, and I’m going to go above what you ask me to do, because I’m confident enough that I’m going to make sure I double, triple, quadruple check everything because it’s been ingrained in me.
00:19:59.442 –> 00:20:04.322
IZZY: And what I do with my team is we go over a lot of core competencies.
00:20:05.782 –> 00:20:13.922
IZZY: I always come across EAs who’ve been in the field for a long time, and they think they know everything, and they don’t realize times have changed, you know?
00:20:14.402 –> 00:20:26.542
IZZY: And you can become so complacent that you end up making the smallest mistakes, or you end up doing things that take you four times longer than what it should take you.
00:20:27.342 –> 00:20:52.042
IZZY: So I always do monthly, maybe every other month, a core competency refresher, whether it’s diplomacy, active listening skills, managing up, things of that nature, just to show them that here’s what not to do, here’s what you can do, and here are things to think about when you’re supporting the people that you support.
00:20:52.902 –> 00:20:59.502
IZZY: So and at least it doesn’t leave room for any mistakes because they have those tools and they can go back to it.
00:20:59.782 –> 00:21:07.982
IZZY: And it actually helps build their confidence because a lot of them do put it as their screen savers every now and then.
00:21:08.862 –> 00:21:09.222
JEREMY: Nice.
00:21:10.902 –> 00:21:23.822
JEREMY: And then what I do typically when I have guests on the show is I like to pull from you or other guests, ideas on what they’d like to talk about.
00:21:23.842 –> 00:21:28.922
JEREMY: And one thing you mentioned was what it means to own your work.
00:21:28.962 –> 00:21:31.682
JEREMY: Can you talk about what you mean by own your work?
00:21:31.902 –> 00:21:34.982
JEREMY: And just, yeah, I’m all ears.
00:21:35.002 –> 00:21:36.182
JEREMY: What do you want to chat about?
00:21:37.222 –> 00:21:45.842
IZZY: So again, I’m basing this off of my team and what I’ve learned because it’s an eye opener for me as well.
00:21:46.722 –> 00:21:52.362
IZZY: When you talk about owning your work, you often think of, OK, just take the work and just do it.
00:21:53.022 –> 00:21:56.722
IZZY: But I feel like there’s a lot more involved when it comes to owning the work.
00:21:57.342 –> 00:22:02.862
IZZY: It’s kind of going back to remembering why you’re doing this.
00:22:04.162 –> 00:22:07.482
IZZY: You know, why are you an assistant?
00:22:07.582 –> 00:22:10.382
IZZY: Why are you doing this work in this organization?
00:22:10.402 –> 00:22:15.082
IZZY: And what contributions do you feel like you’re making to the organization?
00:22:16.402 –> 00:22:23.742
IZZY: And once you do that, then I feel like you’ll become more proactive and you’ll be able to manage out more.
00:22:24.222 –> 00:22:28.482
IZZY: And you’ll also be less afraid of the task at hand.
00:22:29.082 –> 00:22:36.622
IZZY: I find that a lot of assistants and just in general, they take on a task sometimes.
00:22:36.862 –> 00:22:44.902
IZZY: And if it’s challenging, then it’s like they forget the basics.
00:22:46.282 –> 00:22:49.022
IZZY: They forget the basics and they’re nervous.
00:22:49.862 –> 00:22:52.682
IZZY: And I keep telling them, you have the power.
00:22:53.042 –> 00:22:54.302
IZZY: You’re in this role.
00:22:54.322 –> 00:22:57.602
IZZY: You do not become an executive assistant overnight.
00:22:58.082 –> 00:23:08.002
IZZY: It means that you’ve had some form of administrative, you know, experience, exposure, and you are more than capable of doing the work.
00:23:08.902 –> 00:23:11.182
IZZY: And you need to own it.
00:23:11.542 –> 00:23:19.042
IZZY: Owning it means that it is literally part of your everyday nature, your everyday walk.
00:23:19.802 –> 00:23:23.662
IZZY: I met with one of my team members today and I gave her this analogy.
00:23:24.522 –> 00:23:29.742
IZZY: I said, you know how you have your children and you have your home.
00:23:30.922 –> 00:23:32.302
IZZY: In a sense, you own those.
00:23:32.362 –> 00:23:35.362
IZZY: Your children are your responsibility, your home is your responsibility.
00:23:35.762 –> 00:23:40.322
IZZY: The things that you have to do in support of both comes natural to you.
00:23:41.842 –> 00:23:45.522
IZZY: Your role should come natural to you from this point on.
00:23:45.782 –> 00:23:56.602
IZZY: And when it becomes natural to you, then you’ll know how to do the things that you need to do in terms of supporting your partners or your executive.
00:23:57.722 –> 00:24:02.762
IZZY: And you’ll know what tools and resources you need to get the work done.
00:24:02.762 –> 00:24:09.942
IZZY: And if you don’t know, then you’ll know who to connect yourself with or align yourself with in order to do the work.
00:24:10.682 –> 00:24:18.502
IZZY: So these are natural instincts that as executive assistants, especially at that level or any admin that we should have.
00:24:18.522 –> 00:24:25.842
IZZY: And for my new admins, it’s just a matter of talking to other assistants.
00:24:25.842 –> 00:24:27.362
IZZY: There’s a network out there.
00:24:28.222 –> 00:24:30.582
IZZY: So own what you’re supposed to do.
00:24:30.802 –> 00:24:33.602
IZZY: You’re the expert in the subject matter.
00:24:33.842 –> 00:24:34.282
IZZY: Own it.
00:24:34.962 –> 00:24:35.982
JEREMY: Yes, awesome.
00:24:36.702 –> 00:24:41.062
JEREMY: Well, Izzy, just really appreciate chatting with you today.
00:24:41.422 –> 00:24:45.682
JEREMY: Just to kind of wrap things up with a couple of questions.
00:24:46.282 –> 00:24:56.042
JEREMY: The first one is what is something that it could be personal, professional, could be macro with the world.
00:24:56.062 –> 00:24:59.742
JEREMY: It could be micro with your hubby and your kid.
00:25:01.442 –> 00:25:05.062
JEREMY: What’s one thing that concerns you?
00:25:08.502 –> 00:25:21.642
IZZY: I think realizing that I’m not really, I guess I think it’s one thing that I’m not really inspiring my team or even people around me.
00:25:22.282 –> 00:25:27.002
IZZY: I take that personal because I am everyone’s biggest cheerleader.
00:25:27.022 –> 00:25:30.922
IZZY: My husband asked them, even my daughter, and she gets sick of me when I do this.
00:25:31.662 –> 00:25:35.762
IZZY: I am everyone’s cheerleader because I really want to see one win.
00:25:35.982 –> 00:25:42.602
IZZY: But the moment that stops, then that scares me because it’s like, what’s next?
00:25:44.122 –> 00:25:45.642
IZZY: What am I?
00:25:45.662 –> 00:25:46.422
IZZY: Who am I?
00:25:46.802 –> 00:25:47.782
IZZY: What is my purpose?
00:25:47.782 –> 00:25:49.082
IZZY: What can I do now?
00:25:50.642 –> 00:25:57.982
IZZY: You know, if I can’t inspire you, if I can’t encourage you or even try to empower you, what do I do?
00:26:01.122 –> 00:26:02.302
JEREMY: I appreciate the honesty.
00:26:04.902 –> 00:26:07.322
JEREMY: Okay, so we’ll end on a little bit of a lighter note.
00:26:07.442 –> 00:26:14.842
JEREMY: So what’s maybe one thing that you look forward to?
00:26:14.862 –> 00:26:17.142
JEREMY: Personally, professional vacation, you say?
00:26:17.822 –> 00:26:20.382
IZZY: A good vacation, Jeremy.
00:26:20.382 –> 00:26:21.862
JEREMY: There you go, there you go.
00:26:21.942 –> 00:26:22.802
JEREMY: Where do you want to go?
00:26:22.822 –> 00:26:25.262
JEREMY: What does a good vacation look like for you?
00:26:25.282 –> 00:26:28.222
IZZY: I’ve been saying I want to go to New Zealand for so long.
00:26:28.242 –> 00:26:28.742
JEREMY: Yes.
00:26:29.602 –> 00:26:32.982
IZZY: I just want to go, but my husband’s schedule is all over the place.
00:26:35.062 –> 00:26:37.402
JEREMY: New Zealand’s definitely on my bucket list.
00:26:37.982 –> 00:26:40.782
JEREMY: Are you a planner or are you like, let’s just go and chill?
00:26:41.742 –> 00:26:42.402
IZZY: Go and chill.
00:26:43.862 –> 00:26:44.202
IZZY: Yeah.
00:26:44.582 –> 00:26:46.042
IZZY: If I plan it, it’s like work.
00:26:46.562 –> 00:26:47.302
JEREMY: Right, right.
00:26:47.822 –> 00:26:49.582
JEREMY: Yep.
00:26:49.582 –> 00:27:01.682
JEREMY: I like to have the bare bones of like, hey, this day we’ll do some tour stuff and this day we’ll chill, but I don’t like to be like, oh, we’re going to go to this, we’re going to do this, this and yeah, same deal.
00:27:01.702 –> 00:27:02.982
IZZY: Especially like hour by hour.
00:27:03.002 –> 00:27:05.002
IZZY: I never understood people who do that.
00:27:06.162 –> 00:27:07.582
JEREMY: They must not be assistants, right?
00:27:10.502 –> 00:27:10.922
JEREMY: All right.
00:27:10.942 –> 00:27:13.042
JEREMY: Well, Izzy, thank you so much for chatting.
00:27:13.362 –> 00:27:19.582
JEREMY: And is there a good place for people to connect and reach out and say hi, if they would like to connect with you?
00:27:20.222 –> 00:27:21.102
IZZY: Absolutely.
00:27:21.442 –> 00:27:24.462
IZZY: LinkedIn, please reach out to me.
00:27:24.702 –> 00:27:30.842
IZZY: And I have no problems connecting with you and even give you my email, even my phone number if you want to chat.
00:27:31.222 –> 00:27:32.462
IZZY: I love chatting with people.
00:27:34.082 –> 00:27:34.542
JEREMY: Awesome.
00:27:35.182 –> 00:27:36.122
JEREMY: Well, that’s perfect.
00:27:36.142 –> 00:27:41.962
JEREMY: I’ll put your LinkedIn in the show notes at leaderassistant.com/249.
00:27:42.462 –> 00:27:46.842
JEREMY: Again, that’s leaderassistant.com/249.
00:27:46.862 –> 00:27:53.442
JEREMY: Reach out to Izzy and say hi and thank her for her awesome time on the podcast.
00:27:53.662 –> 00:27:55.602
JEREMY: And yeah, Izzy, best of luck to you.
00:27:55.622 –> 00:27:56.942
JEREMY: It’s been great chatting with you.
00:27:57.582 –> 00:28:02.282
JEREMY: And I hope we can stay in touch and maybe connect in Massachusetts someday.
00:28:02.302 –> 00:28:07.602
IZZY: Oh, I’m going to be reaching out to you for training opportunities.
00:28:09.802 –> 00:28:10.382
JEREMY: Sounds good.
00:28:10.402 –> 00:28:11.482
JEREMY: Thanks again for being on the show.
00:28:11.902 –> 00:28:12.362
JEREMY: All right.
00:28:12.382 –> 00:28:12.942
IZZY: Thank you.
00:28:12.962 –> 00:28:13.382
IZZY: Take care.
00:28:13.402 –> 00:28:13.462
<v SPEAKER_2>Thank you.
00:28:23.727 –> 00:28:26.247
<v SPEAKER_3>Please review on Apple Podcasts.
00:28:32.825 –> 00:28:34.645
<v SPEAKER_3>goburrows.com.
