Have you ever wondered what your net worth is, as a human being? What your experience from birth to right now, this very moment has made you worth? It is one of those questions we can often think about, but as women never answer or avoid at all costs. There are some women will go directly to their current hourly rate, in employment. There are some who will say instantly say I am worthless and those who will tell you they are worth a million pounds. The truth could be in-between all of the above.
With that in mind, let’s do a little task. This task could take you a few minutes, hours or days (especially if you decide to do the task truthfully). Arrange to get some time on your own, without any distractions, interruptions and in a quiet place that will allow you to think freely.
Now, grab a pen and paper and write down all your qualifications, even those swimming qualifications and gymnastic badges you had as a child. Include any exams you gained from school, college and or university. Don’t forget those extracurricular activities like piano or guitar qualifications. Just write them down and do not re-read them. Once you have finished, turn the piece of paper over. Then, on a separate piece of paper add all the experiences you have had over the last few years. Include your jobs, your home and family responsibilities. These will include your personal responsibilities. Those responsibilities that you do every day without even thinking about it. For example, do you have a pet that you look after or have older parents or younger siblings that depend on you? All of these experiences create value to you as a person. Once you have finished, I would like you to put these two lists away for 24 hours. Don’t read them, don’t look at them, just put them away.
24 Hours Later
Now, I would like you to take your lists and read them.
Read out aloud all the qualifications you have.
Read the list of all your experiences.
Did you find anything on these lists as a surprise?
Do you have more qualifications than you expected, do you have more experience than you realised?
Money is the key or is it?
Just for fun, on your qualifications list and experience list, how much do you think it would cost to get those qualifications and that experience if you were starting from scratch. State education cost per child circa £48,000. A degree can cost up £37,000 (without accommodation and living expenses). That is £85,000 we have had spent on us already, and we have not even started on our experience!
Now ask yourself the question, ‘If you had to pay someone else, with all those skills, what would their hourly rate be?’ It could be argued that this be your net worth.
Personal Reflection on Your Net Worth
I undertook this task a few years ago, and I was surprised and a little intimidated by the person who had acquired all my skills and experiences. We take ourselves for granted so often, that sometimes we just need to stop, take a look at ourselves and congratulate us for what we have done and what we will be doing in the future.
Your net worth is not the amount you get paid. It is the amount of money you would have to pay someone to do what you do, daily.
As a PA (Personal Assistant), an EA (Executive Assistant) or secretary you may be asked to undertake an appraisal, this could be for junior members of staff. An Appraisal, Performance Review or Staff Review happens once a year. The appraisal gives the employee and the employer an opportunity to openly discuss the previous years working structure.
Some General Guidelines
Conducting an appraisal if you are a PA
Appraisals are on an individual employee’s job description. If you are conducting the appraisal you need to ensure that you are aware of the employee’s job description and not undertake a comparison with other employees. You also have to be aware that the appraisal is on their past performance and not on what you would like them to do. That is the value of job analysis and detailed job descriptions.
A rating system may form part of the appraisal process. The rating system could be a numerical, alphabetical system or a combination. All PAs or secretaries conducting an appraisal should be trained on the rating system used. A good rating could result in a pay rise or promotion. It is important that the rating system is robust, understood and utilised.
A Performance review or appraisal is one of the tasks managers hate to do, and employees hate to receive. The entire process can cause sleepless nights for both concerned and create lots of anguish. However, I would like to suggest that you may be looking at a performance review in a rather negative way.
A performance review should be a process that you look forward to and not something to be feared or dreaded. An Appraisal is an opportunity for you to talk to your employer about you. Within the conversation, you will discuss your current role as a PA or Secretary within the organisation and your Job Description. You could also discuss any potential career development or progression that you would like to achieve in the company.
What comes to mind when you think about the skills that make exceptional PAs, secretaries, and administrators? Organisation? Efficiency? Multitasking? While these are all essential, there’s one skill that quietly underpins them all: listening.
Listening isn’t just about hearing words. It’s about understanding, connecting, and responding in a way that helps you do your job better and strengthens relationships with your colleagues. The ability to truly listen is a superpower, and like any superpower, it takes practice to master.
Why Listening Matters
We’re often the go-to person for information and problem-solving in our roles. Whether it’s capturing instructions, taking minutes in a meeting, or understanding a colleague’s needs, listening is the foundation of it all. But here’s the kicker: on average, most of us only retain 30-50% of what’s said in a conversation. Shocking, right? It’s no wonder that miscommunication happens so often. As PAs, secretaries, and administrators, this is where we need to step up. Developing strong listening skills helps us bridge that gap, ensuring nothing important slips through the cracks.
Sometimes, it’s not just what’s said, it’s what’s unsaid that matters. I learned this lesson during a conversation with a colleague who asked if I knew how to input invoices. At first, it seemed like a straightforward request. But when I asked if he needed help with data entry, it became clear that wasn’t the issue. The real problem? The VAT was in chaos, and he needed help sorting it out.
This experience taught me that listening isn’t just about words. It’s also about tone, body language, and context. These subtle cues often reveal the bigger picture, and as professionals, it’s our job to piece it together.
The Five Pillars of Exceptional Listening Skills
Ready to level up your listening game? Here are five essential aspects to focus on:
Pay Attention: Stay present. Look at your colleague directly and avoid distractions like checking your phone or glancing around. Pay attention not just to their words but also to their body language. Are they anxious? Excited? Nervous? These cues provide valuable insight. Show You’re Listening – A little encouragement goes a long way. Nod occasionally, make eye contact, and use verbal affirmations like “I see” or “Go on.” But don’t overdo it—no one likes a chorus of “uh-huh” after every sentence. Clarify and Confirm: Repeat what you’ve heard when receiving instructions. For example, “So, you’d like me to prioritise the client’s report and follow up on the invoices, correct?” This simple step prevents misunderstandings and reassures your colleague that you’re on the same page. Be Patient: This might be the most challenging skill to master. Resist the urge to interrupt or jump in with solutions. Let your colleague finish speaking before asking questions or offering ideas. Sometimes, just allowing them to articulate their thoughts leads to a clearer conversation. Respect Their Perspective – Listening isn’t just about understanding tasks. It’s also about building trust. Respect your colleague’s time, ideas, and opinions, even if you see things differently. Collaboration thrives on mutual respect, so approach every conversation with a team-focused mindset.
The Bigger Picture: Types of Listening Skills
Listening comes in many forms, and each plays a unique role in your professional toolkit.
Active Listening: Fully focusing on the speaker, engaging with their message, and responding thoughtfully. (Check out my recent blog post on active listening for more tips!)
Reflective Listening: Listening with empathy and reflecting back emotions or concerns to build understanding.
Passive Listening: Taking in information without immediate engagement, often useful in observational scenarios.
In the coming weeks, I’ll dive deeper into reflective and passive listening, exploring how these approaches can enhance your role as a PA, secretary, or administrator. Stay tuned!
Listening Skills: The Key to Your Professional Growth
Mastering listening skills isn’t just about doing your job well—it’s about excelling in your role and becoming an indispensable part of the team. When you listen effectively, you:
Build trust and rapport with colleagues.
To gain clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
Handle tasks more efficiently and confidently.
By honing this skill, you’ll meet and exceed expectations, paving the way for personal and professional growth.
What’s Next?
Listening is a journey, not a destination. Start by practising the five pillars above, and don’t forget to explore different listening styles to expand your skill set. Check out my article on Active Listening for actionable tips you can implement today. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts on Reflective Listening and Passive Listening, where we’ll explore how these approaches can make you an even stronger communicator. Are there any listening challenges you face in your role? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Welcome to our online magazine from Julie and the team. If you have been on one of Julie’s training courses, you know she is passionate about PA, EAs and Secretaries being the best they can be. She also has very strong opinions about what a PA, EA and Secretary should and shouldn’t do. If you have a question, or would like to add an article, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
