Spring is in the air!

I look at this month of May, (my favorite month), as the true beginning of spring.  When the trees begin to bloom and the days get warmer, it feels as though life is re-awakening from winter sleep.

May is also a month signaling the change of season from winter to spring and just like the seasons, as human beings, we too experience change many times over. We are in a constant state of change, some we welcome, some we do not; however, we cannot stop it because the only constant IS change. 

In my career, I remember at least three changes and ‘seasons’ I went through that resulted in the person I am today. I call these seasons the 3-R’s. Refining, Redefining and Reinventing.

Becoming an executive assistant to John Chambers was one of those seasons of “refining.”  I thought I knew what it took to support John and boy, I was wrong! He absolutely taught me key things that I needed to truly become more than just his executive assistant, but to become his business partner. I had to think like an executive!

The second season in my career where I had to “redefine” my role was when John became CEO. That was a huge change for me, and I knew I would need to take on more leadership skills in my position. I initiated the first executive assistant staff meeting with all 13 senior executive assistants, and it was the first time we had ever all gotten together. It was a wonderful way to build relationships with each other. I also started four administrative team initiatives focused on mentorship, reward, recognition, and learning/development.