Trust, it isn’t something that is immediately present, when you first hire a Personal Assistant. However, it IS a crucial component in the business relationship between an Executive and their Personal Assistant. But how can you build trust with a Personal Assistant – especially if it’s the first remote PA you’ve hired?

Here’s some tips to help you get started.

Understand that a new Personal Assistant needs your help, when starting out

If you’ve only just taken on a new Personal Assistant, there needs to be an introductory period for you both. You need time to get to know them, as well as sharing your preferences around tasks. However, your Personal Assistant also needs time, to understand how you work – something they’re unable to learn without your time and input. This training and learning period is critical, if you’re going to ever learn to trust your Assistant – and if you want them to enjoy working for you.

Take the time to get clear on how you like things done

That’s why the first step to building trust with your Personal Assistant is a step you need to take first. You need to ensure you’ve scheduled time in your diary to go other things with them. It gives you the chance to establish your preferences, working patterns and understanding of how this working relationship can work at its most effective and efficient.

Hand over control – not just the task

Another way you can build trust is to trust your Personal Assistant with any task that you’ve handed over. Micromanaging is a big sign that you’re not ready to hand over control or that you simply don’t trust the other person to do the task themselves – so make sure you’re totally handing over tasks! (Need help? Here’s an article on how to overcome the habit of micromanaging).

Schedule regular time slots for your assistant

Your Personal Assistant is there to make your life easier, as well as enabling you and your business to run more effectively and efficiently. It therefore goes without saying, you need to have regular check-ins with them. These are perfect opportunities for you to give feedback and instructions, but also to help them realise how much you value and need their support.

Ensure you’re communicating clearly and effectively

As with any remote worker on your team, your Personal Assistant needs to have a clear understanding of the tasks they’re required to fulfil. It’s therefore critical that you are communicating clearly and effectively with every member in your remote team. This includes giving clear instructions and ensuring you’re passing on changes, deadlines and urgency levels to your team. (Here’s more information on how you can communicate well with your remote team).

Remember to give positive encouragement, not just constructive criticism

If you want to build better levels of trust with your Personal Assistant, you need to give praise where it’s due. If they’re doing a good job – let them know. Send over a quick ‘thank you’ email and encourage them to keep up the good work. Don’t just leave communication channels for orders, tasks and criticisms – and make sure you’re offering constructive criticism, when this is needed too!

Your Personal Assistant deserves respect

Finally, it goes without saying – you need to respect your Assistant. They’re invested in helping make your workload easier for you, whilst also ensuring you look good, meet all your obligations and can focus on what you need to do. They deserve your respect. Ensure you’re always polite, communicate well with them and are honest with them and about them. Take responsibility for your mistakes rather than blaming your assistant, treat them how you’d like to be treated, and trust them to do the job they’re paid to do – because if you trust them, they’ll go above and beyond to show you hiring them was the best decision you ever made!

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