We need more reviewers!
The book review pages are written for you, by you because – after all – who are the best people to deem whether the latest business book will boost your professional and personal development as a high-level assistant? Fellow EAs, of course!
Each issue, we’ll feature a selection of books, complete with an informative and insightful review by one of your peers and we really need some new reviewers to take part. If getting a brilliant business book in exchange for sharing a few words sounds good, please e-mail editor@executivepa.com with a line or two about you, your role and your experience. We’ll reply with the books currently on offer.
Going to be a reviewer?
Here’s how it works:
– You’ll get a digital or hard copy of the book and a how-to for the review.
– Post-reading, you’ll write a short review. Your writing doesn’t need to be of a professional standard – that’s the editor’s job. On that note, you can contact us with any questions along the way.
– Submit your review and before you know it, you’ll see your words on these very pages.
Staff Matters by Bonnie Low Kramen
“I chose this book because I fundamentally agree that as an EA/PA we are the eyes and ears of any organisation but I don’t believe that the modern workplace is broken. So, I was curious to hear what Bonnie had to say and why she thought it was. Upon reading, I learned Bonnie wants to create the ‘ultimate’ workplace and said post-pandemic that a lot of organisations feel fragmented due to hybrid working; that there isn’t much clarity on how many days staff should go into the workplace. I think that statement was true, especially in the early days coming out of the pandemic. But I’m not sure that’s an accurate assessment nowadays. I feel the read is massively weighted to the way US citizens work and how she talks about it from a woman’s point of view sounds a million miles away from my own values and experiences. I work with some extraordinary, empowered females and felt I was being generalised and stereotyped, going back decades, and I didn’t like that feeling. That said, if Bonnie’s findings are accurate, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about what it must be like to work in the US, and it’s left me with the impression that it’s a very outdated constitution engrained in a toxic culture.
Overall, I read the book feeling ever so slightly offended about how men and women are portrayed in it and I didn’t relate to the majority of statements. I’m not sure if that’s the organisations that I’ve chosen to work for in my career or because of my robust character and strong values.” Jo Jones is chief of staff at Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
The Upstander Leader by Jessica Hickman
“The company I work for has really invested in the education and training of our workforce to create a culture where people feel empowered and supported to call out behaviour that’s below the line and disrespectful. So, I was excited to read this book it didn’t disappoint. By sharing her story of bullying and harassment in the workplace (which ultimately led to her hospitalisation), Jessica has created a book that all people, not just leaders, should add to their toolkits. It’s written in a relatable way and as you navigate through the chapters you’re shown the impact of the ‘bystander effect’ – then you’re offered a five-step model to assist with developing a speak-up culture. There are exercises throughout the book, which I really enjoyed – they gave me an opportunity to stop, digest what I’d read and then reflect on my own behaviours throughout my career. For me this was a real eye opener and something that I found very valuable.
As an EA, quite often you become a sounding board for your team; people trust you and they feel comfortable to open up. This book shows you how to recognise bystander behaviour not only in yourself but in others, and how to take action. It will challenge your way of thinking teach you what to look out for, how to handle a situation before it becomes toxic and how to create change – skills that all EAs should add to their repertoire. This book now has a permanent home on my desk and already has post-it notes sticking out of it with little reminders on how I can do better.”
Melinda Buckingham is an EA at BMA.
Be your own Leadership Coach by Karen Stein
“I was drawn to this book because EAs often have to manage up, which requires covert leadership skills. Be your own Leadership Coach acknowledges that few of us have innate leadership qualities, so we must work to develop them. But it also concedes that coaching is out of reach for many of us as it requires significant investment.
There are a multitude of leadership and coaching books out there but this one has stood out considerably. What resonated with me the most was the author’s emphasis on developing one’s own leadership style, enabling the reader to lead with authenticity rather than employing someone else’s method. Stein provides very clear and practical guidance through instruction and self-coaching exercises, prompting reflection and challenging you to set and achieve realistic, value-driven leadership goals you’ll be motivated to achieve.
Something I’d never considered before was building my own board of directors, consisting of coaches, mentors and sponsors. Prior to reading this book, I thought single individual could fulfil all those roles but Stein clarifies you need a team of different people to provide distinctly different perspectives and support your leadership journey.
This is not a book you can simply read and absorb a few key points. To get the most out of it, you must put aside time regularly to reap the benefits of self-reflection and course correction.” Jordan Bryan is operations coordinator at University of Melbourne.
