THE SIDEKICK
THE SIDEKICK
an inside look
Many successful leaders rely on an assistant to turn vision into reality. This crucial role serves as an anchor in effective corporate leadership, often operating behind the scenes.
Meet Raven, a business support professional who specializes in assisting executive leadership. "My role isn't about individual achievements," Raven explains. "It's about enabling my leader to perform at their best."
Raven recounts a defining moment in her career, collaborating with a leader who excelled at big-picture thinking but struggled with day-to-day management. As the executive's attention was divided among growth strategies, and key initiatives, critical operational tasks began to fall by the wayside.
"As the business grew, we faced the challenges typical of scaling companies: limited resources, undocumented processes, and a lack of established systems," Raven explains. "Even the most capable leaders can be overwhelmed by this increasing complexity. It became clear to me that even the most capable leaders need strong support to steer through these expanding operational demands. That's where I saw an opportunity to make a real difference."
Raven continues, "I recognized my own limitations, but I didn't let that stop me. Instead of waiting for instructions or formal training, I took initiative. I proactively sought solutions, educated myself on best practices, and started creating the systems and documentation we desperately needed. In essence, I grew alongside the company, adapting and learning to meet our evolving needs."
Raven's approach include:
Taking Ownership: Identifying and addressing issues before they escalated.
Ongoing Learning: Dedicating significant personal time to acquiring new, relevant skills.
Independent Problem-Solving: Conducting research, analysis, and developing plans autonomously.
Maintaining Alignment: Consistently involving her manager for guidance and approval.
"To thrive in an executive support role, adaptability is key," Raven explains. "It's about leveraging every tool at our disposal to amplify our leader's impact."