Do you receive performance evaluations? Whether or not we look forward to them, performance reviews (evaluations) are part of a good organisational culture. Despite this, and even in some terrific organisations, there are instances in which assistants go years without…
Exceptional EA
a resource for assistants around the globe, from international trainer Shelagh Donnelly
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Boundaries
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: It’s been a full week, and yet I made time yesterday to stroll along the inlet floor while the tide was out … and look at the lovely eagle I saw!
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Performance
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: this year’s cherry blossoms are now almost done, and so we’ll wait with patience for next year’s blossoms. In the interim, we have all manner of gorgeous blossoms to enjoy.
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Travel
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: In May 2019, I visited the Cotswolds for the first time. Each day brought treats for the senses. Driving in Gloucestershire one day, this field had me pulling over to soak up the setting. You don’t see the sky in this particular photo, yet it was as blue and perfect as you might wish for on a spring day.
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Spring
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: pretty in pink … and yellow, white and green! This is one of two new and expansive tulip beds at Van Dusen Botanical Garden.
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Hope
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot, and the second one included with today’s quote: About this time two years ago, I was preparing to head to England and Scotland. While in London, I enjoyed a visit with Kathleen to *pretty in pink* Peggy Porschen.
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Holding
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: a vibrant birthday cake from a Parisian patisserie
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How Henrietta Barker turned the tables on Shelagh
When I write to let you know about interviews, I’m usually sharing the results of time I’ve spent learning more about high performing assistants around the globe. So far, I’ve interviewed assistants of various job titles from 27 different countries….
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Bricks
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: a rose-draped set of windows in Upper Slaughter, a picturesque Cotswolds village. 2019 marked my first visit to this area, and I’m looking forward to returning!
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Amanda Bagga: Insights from India
For this week’s Real Careers interview, I’m talking with Amanda Bagga of Chennai, India. Amanda is Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO at Merit Software Services Pvt Ltd. In addition to her career, she’s had a busy and productive few months…
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Success
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: The mountains are a likely giveaway that this impressive field of tulips is not situated in The Netherlands. The massive clog you see is located in Chilliwack, about an hour’s drive east of Vancouver.
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Respect
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: It’s been almost seven years, yet I have very fond memories of our time in Porto. This Portuguese city, founded in 1123, is situated alongside the Douro River.
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Believe
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: spring is in full bloom here in Vancouver. The last of the daffodils are putting on great shows, and tulips have come into their own. What’s blooming in your neighbourhood?
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Memory
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: I made my way to Van Dusen Botanical Garden midweek, and soaked up sights such as these splendid tulips.
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About Shelagh
A highly regarded speaker and trainer, Shelagh Donnelly walked the walk for almost three decades. She’s authentic, inspiring and positive. When you hear Shelagh speak, you know she understands the career and has good insights on its ongoing evolution. She…
Webinars with Shelagh
Meetings, technology, communications, governance and much more The best assistants are always learning, through experience and by engaging in professional development. While plans for a number of conferences and other in-person learning opportunities have been postponed, that needn’t put a…
For training and event planners
Helping you adapt as new norms continue to take shape As assistants and employers rebuild on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to focus on professional development that reflects evolving norms and needs. More than ever, it’s critical…
Weekend Polls - where assistants around the globe have their say
Career lessons courtesy of the pandemic
It’s been 59 weeks That’s right. It’s now been 59 weeks since I first began writing about COVID-19 and its impacts on our lives and careers. I drafted my first COVID-focused article the last week of February, shortly after returning…
Your assistant career: was it one of choice, or circumstance?
The results of my March 5, 2021 Weekend Poll I asked and, as always, readers stepped forward to voice your experiences and perspectives. With thanks to all who participated, here are the results. Less than one in five envisioned a…
Boundaries
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: It’s been a full week, and yet I made time yesterday to stroll along the inlet floor while the tide was out … and look at the lovely eagle I saw!
Performance
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: this year’s cherry blossoms are now almost done, and so we’ll wait with patience for next year’s blossoms. In the interim, we have all manner of gorgeous blossoms to enjoy.
Travel
A thought for your day, featuring photography from my travels. This shot: In May 2019, I visited the Cotswolds for the first time. Each day brought treats for the senses. Driving in Gloucestershire one day, this field had me pulling over to soak up the setting. You don’t see the sky in this particular photo, yet it was as blue and perfect as you might wish for on a spring day.