Many years over, executive assistants’ roles, responsibilities and skills may have varied with changing time and the rapid upgrades of technology. According to Wise geek, defines executive assistants as “professional’s who functions as aides to corporate executives while the responsibilities associated with work as an assistant of this type will vary depending on the corporate culture that prevails within a given company.” Executive assistants work for a company officer and possess the authority to make crucial decisions affecting such organizations, and are therefore a resource in decision making and policy setting. The executive assistant performs the usual roles of managing correspondence, preparing research, and communication while also acting as the “gate keeper”, understanding in varying degrees, the requirements of the executive and with an ability to decide upon the most important scheduled meetings and events. They may also represent executive at meetings. Executive assistants should be able to motivate and influence people and mange projects. IAM study guide 2011 by Kathleen Stalker

“In some cases, the executive assistant delegates work to the administrative assistant based on competence, experience, and knowledge of the context, confidentiality, priority, urgency and availability” according to www.trisatatedomestic.net.

There may also be drawbacks or problems that will associate themselves with executive assistances.

Examples for this assessment will be drawn from the Ministry of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago. It is an organization that prepares annual budgets and carries out the government’s financial transactions. I have been employed under this Ministry for the past two years.

The skills of an Executive Assistant

Executive assistants in today’s’ world demands are huge. They must possess outstanding skills that every executive wants for the success of their business. As an executive assistant at the Ministry of Finance, the skills that I pose make me unique. These skills are: planning, directing, coordinating, organizing, budgeting, having a wide range of technical, analytical and assertiveness skills, conflict management skills, leadership skills, being an outstanding problem solver, efficient and effective decision maker, excellent communication skills, interpersonal and negotiation skills whilst at the same time knowing the culture of the organization and the business strategy.

At the Ministry of Finance, I use all these skills on a day to day basis when bombarded with the challenges faced. For example, being able to analyze a given situation and make the right decision that will ensure it is contributing to the overall success of the Ministry. With this type of situation your communication skills are in use in transmitting information to stakeholders, leadership skills are pivotal so that the staff does not see fear, this way you can motivate them to move forward. Problem solving skills are imperative for situations that pose serious threat to the organization.

I also possess skills such as being able to coach e.g. training, allowing for development of staff, and having a skill to discipline when necessary. One major skill that I have is the ability cope with different personalities in the work place. This was shown through the handling of three executives work amongst other employees at the same time. This in turn brought with it different styles of management that I had to adopt myself to.

Another skill that stood out for me as an executive assistant is my ability to undergo continuous professional development. This in turn assists me in managing the challenges faced.

As an executive assistant there are many responsibilities that are associated with its portfolio. These include:

Roles and Responsibilities of Executive Assistant

There are many roles and responsibilities that are associated with the executive assistant. At the Ministry of Finance, as the Executive Assistant, I must be able to assist the Chief Executive Officer efficiently and effectively. The major responsibilities that apply for most executive assistants and myself are, scheduling, which will be fully, discussed later down in diary management, travel arrangements, an integral responsibility that executive assistant must keep up to date with. At the Finance Ministry, our Chief Executive Officer always on board meetings in and around the Caribbean, therefore, his travel plans is always updated.

Administration, that is, keeping an excellent track record of all