Assist With Impact Liz Van Vliet - Executive Assistant Coach & Trainer

The focus of this solo episode is your verbal communication skills and common blocks that get in the way of you being a confident and capable communicator.
This episode is part of our theme for March. It’s the ‘Power Skills’ impact and insight zone. Power Skills are your supercharged soft skills and in my world, there are ten key Power Skills that I focus on in my training, coaching and speaking.
In this episode I’m sharing the Top 10 Communication Blocks that can impact your relationships with your peers, your manager and other people you work with.
I remind you of the practical tips and strategies I’ve shared before. Listen to the following episode for more info on this topic
#55 How To Approach Difficult Conversations - Steps for Executive Assistants
You can find more information on the SBI framework here:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/situation-behavior-impact-feedback.htm
You can read more about Petrea King's approach here:
https://www.flyingsolo.com.au/live-smarter/make-difficult-conversations-easier
Connect With Me:
- Share your thoughts and takeaways from this episode on our social media platforms. You can find The Linchpin Assistant on Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Join our community of Lovely Loyal Listeners (LLLs) by hitting follow/subscribe (and make my day by leaving a review). 
Thank you for joining us on Assist With Impact.
 

It's a solo episode from Liz. All about improving how we ask questions, especially when it comes to asking questions of the person or people we support.
This month, we're focusing on enhancing our skills in managing up and engaging effectively with leaders. It's what I describe as the 'Leader Insight & Impact Zone'.
 
Why Questions Matter
- Asking the right questions is crucial for understanding and growth. Many of us hesitate to ask questions due to fear of looking incompetent or being annoying, but it's essential to overcome these fears.
 
Key Insights
- Reconnect with Curiosity: Let's embrace our natural curiosity and not be afraid to ask questions.
- Types of Questions: I discuss four main types: elevating, funneling, adjoining, and clarifying questions. Each serves a different purpose in helping us understand and connect better.
- Practical Tips: Use open-ended questions, balance them with closed questions when needed, appreciate the power of silence, and practice active listening.
 
Highlights
- The Importance of Questions: They help unlock new knowledge and increase understanding.
- Overcoming Fear: I encourage everyone to see questioning as an opportunity for learning, not something to be scared of.
 
Resources
- Episode 48: How To Interview Your Boss To Clarify Expectations & Perceptions
 
Conclusion
- Asking questions is a skill that can greatly improve our interactions and our work. It shows curiosity, vulnerability, and can lead to better outcomes.
 
Connect With Me:
- Share your thoughts and takeaways from this episode on our social media platforms.
- Join our community of Lovely Loyal Listeners (LLLs) by hitting follow/subscribe and be part of our journey in 2024!
Thank you for joining us on Assist With Impact.

🎙 Navigating the Labyrinth of Boss Personalities🎙
In this enlightening episode, dive deep into the complexities of workplace dynamics as we explore how to effectively manage up by understanding and adapting to different boss personalities. From the reflective introverts and the communicative extroverts to the goal-driven advancers, the team-focused harmonizers, and the detail-oriented micromanagers, we unveil strategies for building stronger and more productive relationships with your boss.
What You'll Learn:
- The distinct differences between introverted (Innies) and extroverted (Outies) bosses and how to communicate effectively with each.
- Insights into the personalities of Harmonizers, who value team cohesion, and Advancers, who are all about achieving results, plus tips on how to align your approach for better workplace harmony.
- Practical advice for dealing with micromanaging bosses, including how to build trust and keep them informed to minimize over-scrutiny.
Why Listen:
Whether you're seeking to improve your relationship with your boss, understand their expectations better, or simply navigate the complexities of various managerial styles, this episode is packed with valuable advice and actionable strategies. Tune in to transform your approach to workplace interactions and pave the way for a more fulfilling professional environment.
Additional Resources:
- Linsten to Episode 57 for more insights on managing expectations and clarifying perceptions with your boss.
Connect With Us:
- Share your thoughts and takeaways from this episode on our social media platforms.
- Join our community of Lovely Loyal Listeners (LLLs) by hitting follow/subscribe and be part of our journey in 2024!
Thank you for joining us on Assist With Impact.

Overview:
In this enlightening solo episode, your host Liz Van Vliet revisits the influential concept of Personal SWOT Analysis, a tool she first introduced in Episode 70. With her signature friendly and engaging tone, she delves into this comprehensive self-assessment method, guiding listeners through the nuances of evaluating their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This episode is a perfect blend of professional insights and personal anecdotes, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and thrive in their careers.
What You'll Learn:
- The Essence of Personal SWOT Analysis: Discover the power of assessing your personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to gain a clear snapshot of where you stand.
- Stephen Covey’s Influence: Learn how Stephen Covey's principles of effectiveness can be integrated into your personal and professional life.
- The Four Dimensions of SWOT: A detailed walkthrough of each aspect of SWOT, offering practical tips on how to identify and leverage your strengths, address weaknesses, recognize opportunities, and anticipate threats.
- Implementing Your SWOT Analysis: Strategies for turning your SWOT insights into actionable plans, including setting SMART goals and updating your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Personal Development Tips:Inspirational advice on self-improvement and staying proactive in your career and personal life.
Why It's a Must-Listen:
This episode is not just a revisitation of a key concept but a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the Personal SWOT Analysis in your life. Whether you're an administrative professional or someone seeking personal growth, Liz’s relatable and conversational style, coupled with her profound insights, makes this podcast a treasure trove of wisdom. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools to thrive in 2024 and beyond.
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Subscribe Now: Don't miss out on this valuable episode that could be the key to unlocking your full potential. Tune in, learn, grow, and become the proactive, effective individual you aspire to be!
Connect with your host Liz Van Vliet on Instagram or LinkedIn, and 
Learn more about her coching, speaking and training at The Linchpin Assistant


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Embracing 2024 with Reflection, Review, and Goal-Setting
Welcome to the first episode of Assist With Impact for 2024! In this episode, we dive into the importance of reflection and goal-setting as we step into the new year. Join us for Episode 191 as we explore how to make the most of 2024.
Key Highlights:
1. New Year Reflections and Challenges:
   - Your host Liz shares personal challenges during the transition into the new year.
   - Discussion on the blend of pride and disappointment experienced in 2023, including the ten-year cancerversary and podcast milestones.
2. The Power of Reflection:
   - Importance of embracing a growth mindset by reflecting on past year's experiences.
   - The concept of 'big kahuna' goals and the reality of not achieving them.
3. Setting Up for Success in 2024:
   - Introduction of 'The Liz Way' to set up for success in the new year.
   - Here's the link to the downloadable worksheet for you to reflect and review on 2023 via five simple questions:
https://thelinchpinassistant.ac-page.com/episode-191-reflect-review-your-year-free-download
4. Marie Forleo's Insight on Reflection:
   - Here's the link to Marie Forleo's end-of-year review process and her perspective on learning from past experiences.
5. Looking Forward: Goal Setting for 2024:
   - The importance of setting SMART goals.
   - Quotes from Zig Ziglar and C.S. Lewis on goal-setting.
   - Crafting 'I will' statements for goals.
6. Five Categories for Goal Setting:
   - Skills Development.
   - Performance Metrics.
   - Career Progression/Professional Advancement.
   - Work-Life Balance.
   - Contribution to Team/Organization.
7. Three Words - Manager Feedback in Goal Setting:
   - Tips on incorporating manager feedback into goal-setting.
   - How to use the feedback to shape your 2024 goals.
8. Enhancing Self Insight:
   - How reflecting and reviewing can boost your Self Insight, a key component in the Linchpin Model®.
   - Invitation to subscribe to the AdminInsider newsletter for more insights.
Additional Resources:
- Links to previous podcast episodes for more insights on managing expectations and clarifying perceptions with your boss.
Connect With Us:
- Share your thoughts and takeaways from this episode on our social media platforms.
- Join our community of Lovely Loyal Listeners (LLLs) by hitting follow/subscribe and be part of our journey in 2024!
Thank you for joining us on Assist With Impact. Here’s to a reflective, insightful, and successful 2024!

In this milestone episode (we've hit 190 guys!), Liz celebrates overcoming challenges and embracing change and opportunity.
2023 marked her Ten Year Cancerversary with Liz sharing the joys and trials of this significant personal triumph. Reflecting on the evolution from 'My EA Career' to 'The Linchpin Assistant', we also delve into the concept of 'co-opertition' - cooperating while competing, and how this approach helped me stand against imitators while proudly acknowledging my pioneering role in developing Power Skills for assistants.
This episode also offers a reflective look at the word of 2023 - RENEW. How has this theme shaped the year's endeavors? We explore the exciting, albeit exhausting, aspects of going global and the achievements it brought along.
Pride points of the journey include:
- Persistently delivering this insightful podcast.
- Establishing a distinct voice as a connector and communicator.
- Guiding listeners to proactively engage with AI.
- Critically assessing the Chief of Staff role and its implications.
- Championing efficiency and effectiveness in professional roles.
- Personal strides in efficiency by hiring a Virtual Assistant.
Looking forward, 2024 promises more global adventures, enhanced communication strategies (hint: people scan, not read emails), and more AI insights. The episode concludes with exciting opportunities for listeners to engage with our host in 2024, including coaching sessions, bespoke corporate presentations, extensive training programs, engaging webinars, and an upcoming LinkedIn newsletter 'Admin Insider'.
Join us for this special episode as we commemorate past achievements and eagerly anticipate the future of The Linchpin Assistant and the Assist With Impact podcast.
To discuss working with Liz in 2024, email her at liz@thelinchpinassistant.com. 
Connect with your host Liz Van Vliet on Instagram or LinkedIn, and 
Learn more about her coching, speaking and training at The Linchpin Assistant