Who Would Have Thought?
I will always see myself as an Administrative Professional. If all my endeavors fail, I know that I can always return to the safety of serving a visionary leader and we'd achieve big things together. But what if there is a bigger calling? A more challenging and 10X rewarding path? I think it has to do with pouring into others; that path is larger than me and my comfort/flow zone. Evolution has to happen and growth is tough. I’m in it and experiencing it with full force.
One of the craziest evolution is happening right before our eyes: AI and its capabilities. I really haven’t leveraged this resource to its fullest potential, but I thought it would be fun to ask it about Executive Secretaries turned CEOs. Because, Lord willing, that’s my path. And here’s what Bard said:
“There are many inspiring stories of secretaries who turned into CEOs. Here are a few examples:
Carly Fiorina started her career as a secretary at a small real estate firm. She quickly rose through the ranks and eventually became the CEO of Hewlett-Packard, the first woman to lead a Fortune 20 company.
Karen Kaplan started as a receptionist at Hill Holliday, a marketing company. She worked her way up to CEO, becoming the first woman to lead a major advertising agency.
Chris Rondeau started as a front desk receptionist at Planet Fitness. He eventually became CEO of the company, leading it to become one of the largest fitness chains in the world.
Mary Barra started her career as an executive assistant at General Motors. She eventually rose through the ranks and became the CEO of the company in 2014. She is the first woman to lead a major automaker.
Susan Wojcicki started her career as an intern at Google. She eventually became the CEO of YouTube in 2014. She is the first woman to lead a major video-sharing website.
Jeff Zients started his career as an executive assistant to the president at the Office of Management and Budget. He eventually became the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2009 and the acting director of the National Economic Council in 2013. He is the first person to have held both of these positions.
Ursula Burns started her career as an executive assistant at Xerox. She eventually rose through the ranks and became the CEO of the company in 2009. She is the first African-American female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Vickie Sokol Evans started her career as an executive assistant at IBM. She eventually became the CEO of a software company called Appian Corporation in 2015.
Kathy Bechtel started her career as an executive assistant at Chevron. She eventually became the CEO of a healthcare company called DaVita in 2011.
These are just a few examples of the many secretaries who have achieved great success in business. Their stories show that it is possible to rise to the top, even if you start out in a humble position.
Here are some of the key qualities that these secretaries share:
They are ambitious and driven. They are not content to stay in their current positions, but they are always looking for ways to move up the corporate ladder.
They are hard workers. They are willing to put in the long hours and the hard work that it takes to succeed.
They are good at networking. They know how to build relationships with people who can help them advance their careers.
They are confident and assertive. They are not afraid to speak up and take charge.
If you are a secretary/EA who aspires to become a CEO, these are some of the qualities that you should develop. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve your dreams.
It is important to note that becoming a president is not the only path that an executive assistant can take. Many executive assistants go on to become successful in other fields, such as business, law, and government. The most important thing is to find a career that you are passionate about and that allows you to use your skills and talents to make a difference in the world.”
Who would have thought Bard can be so encouraging? Who would have thought Bard/AI will exist one day? Who would have thought EAs can have a much larger role in their career that they ever imagined?