In a job for all of 6 weeks — These people are looking for a submissive genius unicorn.
I’m an executive assistant to c-suite and board liaison. I am person number 4 so far this year in terms of turnover. 15 years of relevant experience and well educated.
There is no formal training in this role. The director answers every question with “you should know that.” And has called me a liar when I said Teams is down and I can’t send something out immediately, has told me I lack accountability, am lazy, told me at week 4 that was no longer new and could no longer use that as an excuse.
Her response to me saying look we need to work together so I will gladly do what it takes to communicate effectively (I’m paraphrasing) was “you’re not doing me a favor, this is your job.” That’s enough for background.
Organizing board meetings is tedious in general but the way they do it here is ridiculous. They’re extremely high strung. They put a date out there, want you to organize everything at “lightning speed” (their words) — For the date and details to change a literal 4 to 5 times before the event even happens. Why the pretend urgency?
The executive didn’t want to hear anything I said — said I was being combative for literally trying to speak.
Her response was that she didn’t do drama and just needed the work to get done, and that I was expected to dig for information. Which while valid, isn’t how you manage people. She said “You’re going to have to leave (the role)” and I said “okay” and her response was “Let us wait a few days and we’ll reassess” Like, what?
Not everyone responds well to being spoken to like that. And 6 weeks is not nearly enough time especially if what we’re doing is done quarterly. Half a year to a year in a new role is normal. If what we’re doing is so sensitive, maybe don’t have a new person involved?
I’ve been a top performer on every team I’ve ever been on so I’m really struggling here. I regret leaving my previous role (as a contractor for really great people) but didn’t have benefits. I’m trying not to beat myself up. This sh-t right here is why people “don’t want to work anymore”