A Day in the Life of Grace Weaver, Executive Assistant at myGwork
News
In this week’s 'A Day in the Life of interview', Grace Weaver shares more about her role as Executive Assistant (EA) to myGwork’s Co-founder and CMO Adrien Gaubert.
Hi Grace, can you tell us a bit about your role and how you got here?
I think there are a million ways to explain an Executive Assistant (EA) role as no two days are the same. On paper, my role would be to help the executive I’m employed by with tasks such as scheduling, reviewing, prioritizing and responding to emails, answering and returning phone calls, organizing documents, maintaining records, taking notes at meetings and any other administrative tasks that help the executive perform their role successfully.
I started my career at quite a young age, fresh out of school as a bright eyed 16-year-old when I secured my first receptionist job at a local Bed Shop in Dagenham in Essex. A year later, at 17, I moved to London and secured my first role as a Personal Assistant at a private estate agency in Chancery Lane. Then at 18, I moved into the financial sector as an Executive Assistant which led to various other EA roles within the FTSE 100 over the last 12 years, before landing my current role at myGwork.
I was also a board member of St James’s Place Charitable Foundation. Throughout my career, I have always been quite active within the charity and DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) space for all the companies that I have worked with, which is why myGwork is the perfect company to end up at.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The most beautiful thing about being an Executive Assistant (and my favorite) is that no two days are the same. My job is to support Adrien Gaubert with his day-to-day tasks, which includes everything from jumping into meetings, organizing his diary, answering emails, creating/approving graphics, sharing social media posts, and much more.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
As biased as this may sound, the most enjoyable part of my role is working with Adrien. Over my 14-year career, I have never worked with such a positive, understanding and all-round creative person. I love hearing his new ideas and the passion that he has for myGwork. The enjoyment comes from seeing his vision come to life, whether it’s hosting a party at Sommerset House or watching the design idea he has for WorkPride or WorkFair come to life.
Which top three skills are vital for this role and why?
- Be understanding: Being an EA means you are the closest person to your superior, and like anything, this work can stressful, so you have to be understanding and know that nothing is ever personal.
- Be organized – Whether it’s the way you write emails or the way you organize calendars, you should always aim to be two steps ahead.
- Be ready – When you work for a leader/founder of a company, things can change at the drop of a hat, so you have to be ready to jump in and hit the ground running.
How do you help others feel like they belong in your team/promote inclusion?
Being the only “straight” female in my family (both of my sisters and my cousin are gay), I have always been brought up in a family that couldn’t be prouder of the people in it. I think this has rubbed off on me, as I’ve always been a natural ally, which means I’m always available to support my team members, be it to laugh, cry or march with them during Pride.
Which podcast/Youtube series would you recommend to someone interested in pursuing a career in this area to help develop their skills/prepare them for the role?
I wouldn’t say there is a podcast or Youtube series that can help with an Executive Assistant role, as I think it comes with experience. No two leaders/founders are the same, so what works for one, is unlikely to work for another. However, any YouTube series on Excel, Word or OutLook is always worth a watch – as they are skills that are very useful as an EA.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Wherever it is, I hope it’s alongside myGwork team and Adrien! Failing that, retired and living in Cape Verde with a pina colada!
WORKFAIR 2022
If you are looking for a new role with an inclusive employer, don't forget to sign up to our free careers fair WorkFair 2022 on October 19, here.
