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Would I have done anything differently?

Jun 30, 2020 | About Athena, Business

Recently I was interviewed by a couple of students from the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Washington. One of our current clients asked me if I would be willing to speak with them. When she introduced me via email, she said, “I believe that the training Gina does with her team is one of the key things that makes Athena different from the other VA firms out there.”

I had so much fun sharing with them about the industry. I had to make myself get off the call eventually, because apparently, I can go on and on about what we are doing here at Athena that is unique. They sat on the Zoom call with me like sponges, really listening and soaking it all up. You know how when somebody is truly, keenly listening to you and they are really interested, so you just keep talking? “Oh, and one other thing about that I want to share with you . . .”

After about an hour I knew I needed to wrap it up and move on to the real business of the day. Then one person added, “Just one more thing. What would you have done differently, looking back on the building and growth of Athena?”

That was a smart question, of course. I paused and looked for the answer. As I was pondering, the replay of key events over the last four years zipped through my mind. Of course, the most painful or lowest points were right there, easy to recall as if just yesterday. Then the replay of some of the high points and proudest moments crossed my mind.

I said, “Hmmmm. That’s tricky.” Then I was very surprised when I heard myself say, “I don’t think there is anything. I don’t think there is anything I would have changed. I mean, I hate that I had some of those really tough times. But from every tough moment came a piece of gold that I mined and then later, I often attributed that golden nugget to a big piece of future success.”

Many processes and systems have changed and improved at our firm over the years, not because I was sitting around looking to have “better processes”, but because I screwed something up! There was some ugly issue that showed up. Or I got blindsided by a smart question someone asked me that I had never thought of. 

The journey in life or business is the best part, isn’t it? 

Gina Cotner, CEO

Athena Executive Services 

 

The Leader Assistant

Jun 24, 2020 | About Athena, Business, Delegation

We’ve been looking forward to the launch of this book! Our CEO, Gina Cotner, had the honor of writing a recommendation for The Leader Assistant, that is included on the inside pages. She was also interviewed by author Jeremy Burrows on his podcast last year, The Leader Assistant Podcast.

Gina and Jeremy discussed what it takes to be a virtual vs. on-site Executive Assistant, leadership, time management and other tips, as well as how to set yourself apart as a high-performing EA.

Jeremy is someone who stands for Executive Assistants being Leaders, not just task do-ers. Something we coach and live with our team at Athena Executive Services each day! The reason for the carabiner on the front cover? To paraphrase Jeremy, “An EA is someone who is surrounded by tension, but always holds things together for their executives who are up on the big rock wall.”

Congratulations to Jeremy on the launch of this awesome read and valuable resource on leadership and being a game-changer in our industry.

Buy The Leader Assistant on Amazon.

 

Fostering Unity In A Diverse Remote Team

Jun 11, 2020 | Business, Productivity, Remote Work

Leading your team remotely comes with its own set of challenges and surprises. Technology leaders are paving the way for those freshly navigating this new world of work. 

This article offers some useful tips on how to create team unity and continue to improve your company culture, even while working virtually.

“If you’re looking to expand your business’ borders and hire more remote employees in the future, take a look at these 13 tips from the members of Forbes Technology Council.”

Read more via Forbes.com

 

 

WFH Perils and Predicaments – Part 3

May 26, 2020 | About Athena, Business, Productivity

Turning distractions and disruption into value!

The distractions and disruptions that happen working from home, can be turned on their head into something valuable. The annoyance or burden of laundry or dishes can be turned into a “brain break” or a break in the action of a stressful day. Maybe it’s time to get up from your desk and shake off that last phone call. Maybe last night’s dishes sitting in the sink, or drying on the counter, are now an opportunity to do something brainless for 10 minutes.

Do you have a morning ritual? The other day during our “morning ritual” time we decided to purge a closet. We emptied it; decided what to give away; re-organized and consolidated what was left; and put it neatly back in the closet. That was a very satisfying way to start a day! What was a pending, annoying house project that had been on our mind became something that gave us value and satisfaction at the start of our day.

One thing John and I particularly like about working at home together is that it combats the loneliness that can be there sometimes for an entrepreneur. We use each other to celebrate the big and small wins that happened throughout the week. We also use each other to bounce ideas off of. We often say, “Hey, when you have a minute could you look this over for me?” Or, “Hey, how would you deal with this situation?”

John is the chef in the house and while he’s not a formally trained chef, he is a really great cook and I’m so fortunate in these days of not going out to eat that we have healthy, creative and such flavorful meals. (We’re not above ordering pizza however!) My part of the bargain is that I do dishes, and make sure the kitchen is ready by the time he starts preparing dinner. So my breaks throughout the day may include pulling the Instant Pot or the sous-vide out of the pantry and setting it up some time in the afternoon.

John’s brain breaks include watering the plants or doing laundry. When I want some fresh air, I take out trash or recycle to the dumpster.

So, at the end of the day in the home and offices of Apollo and Athena, great work gets done, partnership abounds, and lo and behold a bunch of little things around the house get done. Like I said in my first blog . . . keeping the house neat is important when you live and work in 1100 square feet!

 

Gina Cotner

(Pictured: Delicious Ahi Poke Bowl, prepared by John!)

Communication Secrets of Remote Teams

May 12, 2020 | About Athena, Business, Productivity

“Working from home, we don’t have hallway conversations and office parties that strengthen relationships and build trust. Also absent are the contextual clues that help us interpret meaning: body language, facial expression, and tone of voice.

Without context, misunderstandings are more likely to occur. Without contact, trust can quickly dissolve into suspicion. The result, all too often, is a war of words carried out through electronic messages.”

Read More at MichaelHyatt.com

 

 

WFH Perils and Predicaments – Part 2

May 5, 2020 | Business, Productivity, Remote Work

In our first blog, Gina talked about jointly working from home and how we have managed to be effective. I am going to address how we live (and work) in close quarters and the structures we use to support our sanity and our relationship.

Most of what we have learned about having life sing while working at home in close quarters has come as a result of doing it wrong. For instance, one of the things we discovered fairly quickly is that our working hours had no boundaries. We found that one of us was doing or planning on doing work things during a time that the other was expecting to be social or have down time. As a result, we agreed to “working hours” and “non-working hours” so that we knew what to expect from each other.

We also agreed to find ways to interact with each other during our work time. As Gina noted in our initial blog, we had to find a way to interrupt each other appropriately. So, we ask permission. And from time to time in the middle of an interruption we have to say “enough” in a way that doesn’t diminish the other’s sharing. This is a work in process. We are discovering how to be good at this.

Our partnership also extends to mindset. It is very easy to go to a dark place during these times. It takes something intentional to not let the impact of what is happening leave us upset or even angry. We have a text thread with another couple, close friends of ours, where we create every day what we say this day is for. We want our days to be spent inside of our design rather than living them as victims of these trying circumstances.

So, we recommend:

  • Agreed upon working and no-working hours
  • Ways to interact with each other during working hours
  • Determining what you are up to with each day so that you have the days be yours

Let us know what you think about these recommendations and what you are dealing with. We are rooting for you. Stay safe, be well and know that you are not alone.

John Barron, Apollo Coaching & Consulting