One of my board members is insisting I hire a personal assistant. Should I?

Dear Aunty B,

I have a female member of my board who is insisting on my hiring a personal assistant. She is somewhat of a mentor and her point that buddy CEOs need their dry cleaning picked up is a good one. But I have enormous trouble asking another woman to do my dirty work for me.

There is someone already working for us that I could get to assist me with work related things, but I couldn’t suddenly ask her to do my personal stuff. I know she would regard it as really demeaning.

But I feel that I am under some kind of test to show I can let go of personal stuff.

Do I explain I really don’t need it? Even though it is in our budget I could reallocate that elsewhere.

I am a very organised person as I have three children. And surely with technology, as I am a gadget freak, I don’t need one? I can just see it. I will have to organise the PA just like I have to clean before the cleaner comes.

Lt,
Victoria

Dear Lt,

Are you nuts? Well of course you are. You have three kids and are a CEO. A PA in the budget? I know women who would kill to be in your position.

What you need to do is this. First take off your stilettos and do some cartwheels around the office. I bet you were really good at those at school. That will loosen you up and cause stupid thoughts to fall out the top of your head. Then sit down and draw up a long list of things you currently do, both personal and work. And then start putting PA beside them. You will very soon get hooked on the pure adrenalin rush that accompanies this simple task.

Then you need to hire, so make sure you explain to the PA that he or she will be managing both your personal and professional life. You will find people will self-select. Those not happy to handle your personal life will pull out of the running.

Then the next thing you do is give all your children the PAs number. PAs are usually very good at helping with homework and knowing what is for dinner.

Just one more thing. I do think you should take your very nice board member out for a coffee and ask what she means by insisting you get a PA. Are you not strategic enough? Are you not productive enough? What is she telling you that she isn’t telling you?

Be smart,
Your Aunty B

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