Working in Partnership with Your Manager — A 2-Day Course

 Closed In-House Course

Course Synopsis

Over the past years, the working relationship between executive secretaries and their managers has changed dramatically. What used to be a 'working for' concept has changed to a 'working with' proposition.

No longer are secretaries seen as errand runners or typists. They are now reliable and essential partners to their boss.

This new role calls for flexibility and a broad portfolio of skills, including problem solving and the ability to communicate at many levels, with tact and diplomacy.

This course is designed to develop those skills essential to making the partnership concept into a reality. It will be the first step towards achieving the partnership ensuring growth and rewards for you and your manager.

Office administrators, secretaries and PAs who wish to develop their skills to make a successful partnership with their manager(s) will benefit from attending this course.

Course Objectives

Delegates will learn how to:

• Recognise the changing role of the secretary
• Explain the business partnership concept
• Analyse your manager's work style
• Review your current responsibilities and consider the responsibilities your manager could empower you to do
• Determine future goals and objectives
• Identify interpersonal skills that promote success using effective non-verbal and verbal communication
• Develop a strategy to persuade and influence your manager
• Apply the seven-step process for problem-solving and decision-making
• Demonstrate assertiveness skills with confidence
• Present yourself professionally, using effective non-verbal and verbal communication
• State why conflict happens and be able to deal with it effectively
• Give and receive constructive criticism
• Describe the importance of recognising and maintaining your professional image

Outline Course Contents

Establish personal objectives for the course

Understanding the business partnership concept

The partnership model

Initiating the transition

Analysing your manager's work style

How do you come across to others?

Elements of communication and communication models

Assertiveness skills and setting assertive goals

Saying 'no' without feeling guilty

Presenting the partnership idea to your manager

Clarifying job responsibilities

The empowerment process and what you could be empowered to do

Determining future goals and objectives

A review of your questioning and listening skills

Persuading and influencing your manager

Maintaining your professional image

Giving and receiving criticism

Managing conflict with your manager

Completion of a personal action plan