Essential Skills for Secretaries and Administrative Professionals

Course details

As a secretary or administrative professional, you are expected to play many roles in today’s workplace.

You are expected to streamline office procedures, strengthen working relationships, and support the boss and other colleagues. And you must maintain the right attitude and poise while facing these challenges.

This workshop discusses these common expectations and qualities of a high-performance administrative professional, and how to meet them through the performance of some crucial tasks.

What do you gain from this workshop?

This programme starts by highlighting some common challenges you will face in today’s workplace. These include understanding and defining your own roles, handling office interpersonal relations, managing office gossip, and handling criticism constructively. You will also gain a better understanding of contemporary business behaviour to better manage workplace interactions.

The programme then takes you through some important aspects about communication. You will learn essential points to note in verbal and written communication, and how to make your communication clear and effective.

This programme goes on to discuss the importance of problem-solving and decision-making. You will learn a simple yet effective decision-making tool to help you make sound decisions.

You will also learn how to become more assertive as a secretary or administrative professional. Being more assertive ensures that you are not taking on work that should rightfully be performed by others. Being helpful is one thing; being overloaded with work to the point of being ineffective is quite another. You will learn how to set priorities and manage your time more effectively.

Workshop Objectives

• Understand your role in the workplace, and how to play these roles effectively.
• Know the competencies expected of a secretary or administrative professional.
• Manage office gossip and criticisms professionally.
• Understand the importance of verbal and written communication, and perform communication tasks with finesse.
• Make sound and justifiable decisions.
• Be assertive and handle your own time professionally, in order to contribute to the overall objectives of your team and organisation.

Workshop Highlights

Understanding Your Role

• What distinguishes a secretary or administrative professional from other office personnel?
• Qualities and attitudes sought in a secretary or administrative professional
• What is your professional presence quotient?

Understanding Contemporary Business Behaviour

• Using names
• Using terms of endearment
• Using humour
• Handling anger on the job

Mastering the Art of Communication

• Skills and competencies for communicating effectively
• Using email
• Writing business letters
• Avoiding common pitfalls in written communication
• Attending meetings
• Speaking before an audience
• Avoiding common pitfalls in verbal communication

Managing Interpersonal Relations at the Workplace

• Working with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates
• Understanding the nature of office gossip
• Dealing with office gossip
• Handling criticism at the workplace

Developing Your Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills

• Learning to make the right decisions
• Analysing the risks involved
• Admitting mistakes
• Becoming a problem-solver

Getting Organised for Success

• Managing your time effectively
• Setting priorities
• Learning to say no