For the exceptional admin, being exceptional is an everyday occurrence.   I know, this sounds like an oxymoron, but really, isn’t the exceptional way we look at our life, our jobs, our team, even our employers; all elements of what set us apart from the average?

However, we still face hurdles that knock us off our feet. Honestly, I was flat on my face in “stuck mode” when a casual chat with one of our members, Leila Sanchez, Vopak Corporate Ambassador, handed off a bit of information that propelled me over my hurdle.

In 2007, I was assigned to a discrete administrative role, with a promise that I would move to my next assignment within 3-5 years.  Seven years, 4 managers, numerous team rotations and retirements later, I found myself entrenched as the senior staff in a very stressful environment. At first I was flattered, but quickly realized that although my exceptional performances were appreciated and properly reflected in annual ranking and salary treatments, it did little to propel me down the career path I had envisioned. I felt marginalized, and soon my attitude suffered; the unhappiness, resentment and discontent were glaringly evident.  Not one to sit on my laurels, I picked up my toolkit and began working on possible solutions. I admit, the efforts were not pretty!  I knocked down so many hurdles, fell flat on my face, busted my lip, and skinned my knee.   I am not a quitter, so I just got back up and tried a new approach.

This profession requires style; so if your “go-to” style isn’t working, try something new.  My “go-to” styles are more like a marathon or sprint; and it never occurred to me to try the relay. Think of networking as our version of the relay race.  For me, not trying to do the whole race on my own; by acknowledging someone else’s success allowed me to move further, faster.  As I rounded the all too familiar corner, I gracefully cleared the hurdle and crossed the finished line.

Have you ever found yourself smothering underneath a glass ceiling and can’t figure out how to successfully break out?  Here are a few suggestions:

• Use your network!

While I am not a fan of spreading your woes, I am increasingly a fan of building a positive, effective network of peers.

Tip: At our most recent O&GA Monthly Networking Event, Marketing Strategist Michelle Ngome shared on the value of professional networking. Her humorous and ‘common-sense’ approach changed my understanding of smart, safe social media and how it can add value to your professional portfolio. Her e-e-book is available on Amazon.

• Listen, listen, listen – Leila shared a story of moving from one C-level executive assistant to her next role with a new company. How brave she was to step out and find the next step.  Her story had a moral, and impact didn’t settle in until several days later.  Active listening is a skill, practice every chance you get.  What you are hearing might be more important than you know.
• Ask effective questions! Don’t be afraid of the “silly” question.  Are you learning something you never considered?  Is your understanding being broadened?  Then it’s a smart question!  Ask it anyway!
• Empower your experience! Share your story. You have the power to add value to someone else’s career.
• WE are a global network, and no one will understand your work environment better than the members of O&GA. You will be surprised how flat the landscape of our industry environments really are, and how much we have in common. So that tells me we have the ability to change the landscape, add value, color in the spaces and make this an amazing tapestry.
• Get out of denial

Pretending everything is fine only delays the inevitable, and increases your anxiety and unhappiness.  Take that step back, appraise the situation and begin the approach to the hurdle

• Sketch the blueprint

Visualize jumping the hurdle.  Now that you have figured out you are ready to move forward, sketch a plan.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  And it can take place over several weeks.  We all move at a different pace and approach.  Just own it, and you’ll be fine.  Levenger.com has an amazing product called “Ideation Station”, be sure check it out!

• Step out and get moving forward with your plan

Just take the first step, the other steps naturally follow. If you fall down, just get back up, do a quick “lessons learned”, adjust your sketch, then take that next step again.  Sometimes it just takes practice!

The heart of my frustration was that I felt marginalized by management, and in true overachiever style, felt this somehow minimized my effectiveness.  By following the above steps, I was able to gain focus and recalibrate.  Then the AHA moment occurred, I had outgrown my current role, that’s why I was so uncomfortable.   I needed new challenges, growth opportunities, and the answer was simple, expect and accept the new challenges life will provide.  The O&GA Executive Ambassador role opened for me, and that new role with my employer is on the horizon.

By the way, if you want to hear Leila’s story, catch up with her at the O&GA CVE in June!