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Welcome to Exceptional EA.
Welcome to Exceptional EA, which I founded in 2013 to provide professional development for a global community of assistants who approach the role as a career. I’m here for people focused on high performance, whatever your position title and wherever you currently reside on your org chart.
You’ll find 12 years’ worth of complimentary resources right here, from elevating the quality of your minutes to interview prep and strategies, relationship management, communications, resilience, AI and much more. Through my Real Careers interviews, you can gain additional insights and tips for success from your counterparts in 22 different countries.
A professional speaker, I travel internationally to deliver customized training and keynotes that help people elevate performance, confidence and outcomes – for you and your organization.
I draw on extensive real life experience, research and my own ongoing professional development to develop and deliver training that helps you maintain career currency and thrive.
If you’re uncertain about the pronunciation of my name, you’re in good company. I was given the traditional spelling of the name more typically spelled “Sheila”.
i walked your walk for decades
When you turn to me for professional progress, you’re getting someone who walked your walk until 2018. I built a successful office career of almost three decades, primarily in C-Suite environments, in both the corporate world and the public sector.
Whether you’re reading complimentary resources here on Exceptional EA or turning to me for in person or virtual training, you also benefit from a gap in my office career. Before beginning our family, I became a software trainer for the national corporation where I’d started my career. Building on inhouse professional development as a corporate trainer, and in preparation for what I now do, I later invested in higher education for trainers who design and deliver education for adult learners.
helping you succeed, thrive
I help you enhance credibility, image, visibility and confidence, so you can amplify your value in a disrupted world. In addition to presenting in person in 10 countries since 2017,
I also deliver impactful webinar training and courses for individuals and groups in multiple countries around the globe.
I’ve always been discerning about investing time and financial resources – whether those budgets were my own, or my employer’s – in professional development. I treat your investments with that same care, as I deliver inspirational training that’s also pragmatic and relevant.
What clients say
Have a look at a sampling of training feedback from employers, associations, conference organisers and individuals from a variety of countries and workplace cultures. You’ll see you can count on me for quality, relevant education and practical strategies, delivered with authenticity and a healthy sense of fun. It’s always my goal to deliver engaging learning you can convert to progress and positive outcomes.
See below for some of my latest posts. and Invest a bit of time in professional development by checking the ADDITIONAL RESOURCES tab above. Its drop-down menus provide a wealth of articles and resources to help you succeed and thrive, and you’ll find a search screen at the top of your screen for specific topics.
Insights and inspiration from Shelagh since 2013
Scroll down for a sampling of Shelagh’s articles to support your career success. You’ll also find additional posts each Monday to kick off your week with a quote, accompanied by Shelagh’s travel photography and tips, that make you think.
When you’re looking for specific training or resources, hover over the drop-down menus above for a wealth of insights , or enter a specific search term at the top of this page.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away…
In my blog, Are You Talking to Other Employers?, we considered The Execu|Search Group’s caution to employers that overworked, under-appreciated and currently employed Executive Assistants and Administrative Assistants represent the employee…
… and would you tell your current employer if you were? Earlier this year, New York City-based The Execu|Search Group issued a caution to employers. As economies recover, Execu|Search has…
Want to arrive at your interview feeling confident and well prepared? Follow a series of progressive steps, including talking to the mirror! No, I’ve not had a few too many…
We’re all busy, and many of us find it easy to forgo breakfast, but smoothies represent a great start to the day. You can prep them the night before, and…
I love summers, and what better time to try this salad and its great presentation? Here’s what you’ll need: one seedless watermelon (although you’ll see from the photo that ours…
Now that we spent time Deconstructing Your Minutes in yesterday’s blog, let’s turn to how our use of language can elevate them. When preparing minutes, do you sometimes seek inspiration…
Yesterday, I spoke of the “less is more” philosophy, and the attributes of architect Mies van der Rohe’s work. Applying those attributes to our world, I invited Assistants to think…
Less is more. So proclaimed German-born architect and educator Ludwig Mies (“Mies”) van der Rohe, who moved to the US in 1938 and is regarded as one of the greatest…
Congratulations! After carefully updating and submitting your resume and cover letter, you’ve been invited to an interview. You’ve researched the department or organization, and secured insights into its people and…
Have you been in the workplace long enough to remember the days when a hard copy resume was your primary calling card in applying for a job? While it’s increasingly…
Your journal: a private place for reflection and planning How do I begin? The first step is committing to setting aside a bit of time on a regular basis to…
Finding and validating your career direction through journaling … Do you enjoy your job? If you’re one of the fortunate who is fully satisfied with your career as it is…
My mission has remained consistent since launching EA in 2013, while working in a demanding governance role. From the outset, I wanted to reach and connect a global community of assistants who approach what you do for a living as a career. I’m here to help you thrive and perform at a high level, whatever your position title.
Authentic, expert and inspiring, Shelagh has presented customized, in person training in 10 countries and has delivered virtual/webinar training for clients around the globe.
Shelagh delivers future-focused education grounded in research as well as years of experience with change and with board-level strategy and priorities ,,, and she’ll ask questions in order to personalize and tailor her training for your audience.
While endeavouring since 2013 to provide accurate and reliable content on this website, provision of such content does not warrant or imply any representations by Shelagh Donnelly regarding the use of – or the result of the use of – any content, links, products or services herein.