There are lots of highs and lows along the journey of an Executive Assistant, but something you will have to manage at every stage of your career is having difficult conversations. It is commonly part of the job people are ill-prepared for; however, it is essential you know how to approach these conversations and how to get the most out of them.

A great time to discuss your frustrations and have these difficult conversations is during your annual review. Annual reviews are commonly held at the end of the year, ready to make an actionable plan for the following year and to ensure you are being supported within your role. These private conversations are a great opportunity to sit with your manager and discuss pay rises, are you are being challenged enough by your work, your learning and development goal, and feedback from the team and your managers. If you are yet to have your annual review booked in, request one! This is a great sign to upper management you are keen for feedback and are interested in improving the value you add to a business.

In order to have a constructive conversation with members of your team or your manager, there are a few things we recommend bearing in mind when approaching the conversation:

• Stay calm and professional. It is easy to become flustered when discussing emotive topics, especially if you are not entirely happy. So, remember to take a deep breath and ensure you are actively listening to the conversation.
• Be specific. If you can’t articulate the frustrations you are experiencing, it can be difficult for managers to resolve the issue!
• Use ‘I’ statements and avoid placing blame elsewhere. Instead of saying ‘YOU never showed me how to do that!’, try ‘I feel overwhelmed trying to learn complex processes as well as completing my duties to a high standard’.
• Bring forward solutions! Highlighting an issue or frustration is only half the battle. It is worth thinking of plausible and actionable solutions to improve the situation.

By taking the leap and having those difficult conversations, you are creating a healthy working relationship with those around you by bringing honesty and transparency to the office. It helps generate a culture where others are aware of their actions and how these actions, or inactions, affect others. It fosters a culture of thinking as a team and checking in on your colleagues. Another fantastic benefit of having these conversations is that it will help your manager improve the level of support they provide you. How does a manager become an expert at leading a team if the people they are managing never bring forward any issues or frustrations?

Overcoming obstacles within your career and progressing forward, in both a professional and personal capacity, allows you to enjoy your work more and better your career. These obstacles are what allow us to learn, so long as you are willing to be open about your experiences and dedicated to creating positive change within your workforce.