Mastering the 3 Ps: A Framework for Understanding Your Manager's Needs and Priorities

Assist With Impact

In this episode, Liz shares a simple yet effective framework for assistants to build and maintain their understanding of their manager's needs and priorities. She talks about how managing different needs and priorities across different executives can cause stress and anxiety and contribute to overwhelm.

Liz introduces the 3 Ps - Preferences, Priorities, and Pet Peeves - and explains how they can be used to set up new relationships for success and reset existing relationships.

She emphasizes that assistants are not mind readers and need information, insight, and experience to manage their manager's needs and preferences effectively. Liz breaks down each of the three Ps and provides examples of how assistants can gather information about them, including asking their manager directly.

Liz also emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialogue and structured approaches to checking in with managers as priorities are constantly changing. She suggests documenting the three Ps for managers and keeping the list handy and updated.

Liz highlights the 3 Ps as a dynamic document that can be used as a handover document and shared with other EA colleagues. She encourages assistants to be proactive, curious, and interested in their manager's needs and priorities.

Finally, Liz talks about how to put the 3 Ps into practice, emphasizing the importance of using open-ended questions and fostering curiosity for insights. She also mentions that she provides a workbook for coaching clients and training program attendees that guides them through how to set up a 3 Ps conversation with their manager.

Listeners who want to learn more about Liz's training programs and membership platform can sign up for her email newsletter at myeacareer.com.