Sid Fuchs, President and CEO of MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB), and author of the networking and mentorship book Get Off the Bench, was the keynote speaker at the 2013 WashingtonExec Executive Assistant (EA) Committee dinner. Fuchs was hosted by committee chairperson, Lisa Robinson, EA to Six3 Systems CEO Bob Coleman.
Fuchs spent the evening with 20 senior government contracting industry EAs and discussed the critical function they provide to C-suite executives. He provided recommendations on how EAs can expand their professional network, as well as what executives most need from their EAs to help them run a successful company.
Fuchs stressed that EAs should view their role not just as an assistant, but as an ambassador of the company and organization. “EAs are often the eyes and ears of the executive and must represent the executive in the appropriate manner at all times. They have an important duty to provide the executive with positive and negative feedback as well as the general state of morale in the organization. EAs have to know how to work with and interact with all types of individuals, from board members to new employees,” he said.
During the question and answer session, Fuchs was asked how EAs could better position themselves in terms of career progression. He responded, “The first step is to have an idea of what you would like to achieve in your career. Then, you need to change the narrative about how you perceive your value within the corporation and not just with the executive you support. Last, and most important, you need to believe it and live it.”
The dinner event ended with Fuchs giving attendees two essential pieces of advice about how to forge a successful career in any business: you must first have character and integrity, and then it is all about your experience and who you know.
Fuchs is a four-time CEO, Chairman of the LSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Board of Advisors and also Chairman of The Tower Club Tyson’s Corner. In 2012 he published his first book: “Get Off the Bench: Unleashing the Power of Strategic Networking Through Relationships” and has served on the Defense Science Board and The National Defense University Board of Visitors. You can learn more about him at www.macb.com or www.sidfuchs.com.
