Loading ...Sad to say, but there are lots of folks out there who think any flunky can do our work. That all you need is a computer, and you’re good to go.
But us Virtual Assistants know better, don’t we? LOL
I was just reflecting that as Virtual Assistants, we aren’t just administrative experts. In working with clients, in many ways we also become a coach, consultant, advisor, cheerleader, and sometimes even a mentor, to them, all rolled into one.
I love that aspect about my work, but it can be a challenge sometimes.
For example, we know that our work isn’t just about the client telling us what they need, and then us doing it. For much of the work, it simply can’t get done without there being a collaborative process. That is, it takes the active participation of both the client and the Virtual Assistant to get things done.
For the Virtual Assistant’s part, they obviously need to have masterful administrative skills. They also need to have excellent follow-through and communication skills. They need to have smart policies and systems that allow them to manage their time and work effectively so that ALL their clients get the full benefit of the value they are paying for. And they need to be able to ask clarifying questions and elicit the information they need from clients in order to accomplish their objectives.
For the client’s part, they need to be able to clearly communicate their needs and expectations. They need to respond to our questions in a timely manner so that we can complete their work and accomplish goals we have set with them. They also need to be able to follow-through on the parts of the work that require their input. And they need to be committed to the process, because getting them to the next level in their business IS a process. There is no magic wand to wave and presto! it’s all better overnight. That just ain’t gonna happen, LOL.
The tricky part comes when parts of this equasion are missing. If you can’t finish a goal or project because the client is not following through on providing you with necessary information, making a decision, or completing a required step or task, it’s hard to know how to handle it. What makes it even more tough is because when they hold up their own work, they consequently hold up your business and your processes.
On the one hand, I do what I can to help keep my clients focused. I know that they came to me because they needed help, because they were overwhelmed with everything on their plate and need a helping hand in getting back on track.
And their work isn’t just their work anymore–it’s ours, too. We become invested in it because it is through our efforts that it gets accomplished. We have ownership and pride in that.
On the other hand, however, I’m not a babysitter. That’s not my role in the relationship and I’m not responsible for their business.
So sometimes it’s a real juggling act trying to maintain a balance between the two. You want to help them delegate and stay focused. But at the same time, you can’t care more about their business than they do. Because then you become an enabler and that’s just not good for anyone all the way around.
So maybe at times it’s a good idea to check in with clients who are consistently having a tough time focusing and ask them, "For us to get things done, I need you to be committed to working together. Can you do that? Is this the right time for us to be working together?"
If they can’t or it’s not, let them go. That doesn’t make them (or you) bad people, but you just can’t help them. When that is the case, you aren’t serving them, and they are taking things away from your other clients by forcing you to be inordinately preoccupied with their inert progress.
