On this special episode of Team Success, Shannon Waller is joined by her dear friend and former colleague Nicole Pitcher, a Strategy and Planning Support Partner who played a pivotal role in Shannon’s professional development and contributed to her legendary approach to teamwork. They discuss how, while working at Strategic Coach®, Nicole transformed the standard executive assistant role into a Strategic Support Partnership. They also explore how this kind of relationship leverages both parties’ strengths and keeps entrepreneurs committed and accountable to their goals. Nicole’s evolution offers invaluable insights into how shifting standard support roles into dynamic partnerships can drive entrepreneurial success. For any entrepreneur looking to not only maximize their productivity but also achieve a better work-life balance, this episode is a must-listen! Download Episode Transcript Show Notes: In today's entrepreneurial world, there is a growing need for assistants who can think strategically, anticipate the needs of their employers, and manage the moving parts of a business. Nicole shares how she evolved the role of an executive assistant into this role, which goes beyond traditional administrative tasks to engage deeply in strategic planning and decision-making processes. As Shannon says, “If you don't have an assistant, you are one.” Most entrepreneurs have a ton of ideas but don’t necessarily have the skills or bandwidth to follow through on them. A good Strategic Support Partner should understand how to translate your vision into actionable tasks. They’re essentially the bridge between your ideas and the practical execution of those ideas. They also need to take a personalized approach to vision translation based on your unique strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness is a crucial first step for entrepreneurs seeking support. By recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, you can identify areas where help is needed and find the right support partner to complement your skills, all of which leads to a more intentional approach to goal setting and commitment. Profiles are your best ally here. Every good working relationship should start with assessments like Kolbe and Working Genius® (linked below). Avoid the temptation to hire somebody who’s just like you. They don’t want to do the work that you don't want to do either! It’s important to view this relationship as a partnership rather than a traditional hierarchical relationship. (In other words, equal but different, not lesser and greater.) This approach fosters mutual respect and leverages each person's strengths. Many entrepreneurs also don’t know how to effectively use their assistants. They may hire someone with the expectation that the assistant will handle emails and other administrative tasks, but they struggle to provide direction and guidance. Entrepreneurs who make commitments, set goals, and hold themselves accountable are objectively more successful than entrepreneurs who don’t. Strategic Support Partners play a vital role in helping you stay on track and fulfill your commitments, ultimately leading to long-term success and growth in your business. It’s common for entrepreneurs to become the bottleneck in their own business when they are unable to make decisions, set priorities, or manage their time effectively. This also makes them feel trapped and overwhelmed. By working with a Strategic Support Partner to address time management issues (and putting everything in a calendar that you follow!), you can better focus your energy and alleviate overwhelm. Resources: Unique Ability® Book: The Team Success Handbook by Shannon Waller Superpowers More about Nicole Pitcher Profiles: The Kolbe A™ Index PRINT® Why of You CliftonStrengths® Working Genius DISC Profile Tools: The Impact Filter™ The Positive Focus® Top Teamwork Tips Communication Builder
