How to Approach Your Executive About Training
As an Executive Assistant (EA), you know that professional growth is key to thriving in your role and delivering exceptional value to your executive and organization. However, requesting budget for training can feel daunting—especially when you’re unsure how to frame it as a worthwhile investment.
The good news? Presenting a strong case for training isn’t just possible; it’s an opportunity to showcase your initiative, commitment, and strategic thinking. In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to approach your executive and make the case for investing in your professional development.
Why Training Is a Strategic Investment
Executive Assistants are no longer just gatekeepers or schedulers; they are indispensable partners to executives, providing critical support in communication, workload management, and even strategic decision-making. Training programs like Oceantive’s EA coaching equip you with the advanced skills needed to:
Increase efficiency by mastering prioritization and time management.
Improve communication with executives, stakeholders, and teams.
Foster stronger relationships built on trust and collaboration.
Take on more responsibility, freeing your executive to focus on high-level priorities.
By investing in your training, your executive isn’t just supporting your growth—they’re ensuring smoother workflows, better outcomes, and significant time savings for themselves.
How to Approach Your Executive About Training
1. Frame It Around ROI (Return on Investment)
Executives respond best to data, results, and impact. When discussing training, focus on the return on investment: how the skills you’ll gain will directly benefit your executive and the organization. For example:
Time savings: By mastering workload management and communication strategies, you’ll be able to take on more tasks and anticipate your executive’s needs, freeing up hours for them to focus on high-level priorities.
Improved productivity: With advanced project management techniques, you’ll streamline workflows, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure critical initiatives stay on track.
Stronger representation: Enhanced communication skills will enable you to liaise confidently with stakeholders on behalf of your executive, improving their image and influence.
2. Highlight Tangible Benefits
Make it clear how the training will help you solve specific challenges your executive or team may face. For example:
Are you struggling to align priorities with your executive? Training can help you master techniques for understanding their goals and managing tasks effectively.
Is communication with stakeholders or teams inconsistent? Training can teach you how to build confidence and streamline messaging.
Are projects slipping through the cracks? Training can help you implement proven project management frameworks to ensure nothing gets missed.
By addressing these pain points, you’re showing that the training will have a direct, positive impact on day-to-day operations.
3. Position It as a Business Decision, Not a Personal One
While training will undoubtedly benefit you personally, the focus of your conversation should be on how it will benefit your executive and the organization. Use language that demonstrates you’re thinking strategically, such as:
“This training will help me save us time by improving how I prioritize and manage tasks.”
“By enhancing my communication skills, I’ll be able to represent you more effectively in meetings and with stakeholders.”
“With project management training, I’ll ensure our initiatives stay on track and deadlines are met efficiently.”
How to Address Cost Concerns
Budget is often a sticking point, but there are ways to overcome concerns about costs:
1. Emphasize the Long-Term Value
Training is a one-time investment that will deliver lasting benefits. The skills you gain will not only help you in your current role but also prepare you to take on greater responsibilities in the future—saving time, money, and effort for your executive.
2. Highlight Tailored Pricing
If the program offers flexible or tailored pricing (like Oceantive does), mention this as an option. It shows you’ve done your homework and are mindful of budget constraints.
3. Compare the Cost to the Benefits
Break down how the training will pay for itself in terms of productivity and time savings. For example, if the training allows you to save your executive two hours per week, that’s over 100 hours per year—time that can be redirected to high-value tasks.
The Benefits of Investing in Yourself
When you approach your executive about training, remember this: asking for professional development isn’t just about you—it’s about becoming a more effective, strategic partner. By investing in yourself, you’re investing in the success of your executive, team, and organization.
Sample Script to Make Your Case
Here’s an example of how to position your request:
*"I’ve been looking into professional development opportunities and came across an Executive Assistant training program offered by Oceantive. It’s designed to help EAs like me enhance skills in workload management, communication, and project coordination—all of which would allow me to better support you and the team.
With this training, I’ll be able to anticipate your needs more effectively, streamline processes, and take on more responsibilities—ultimately saving you time and helping the team operate more smoothly. The program also offers flexible, tailored pricing to fit different budgets.
I believe this training is a worthwhile investment that will deliver long-term benefits for both of us, and I’d love to discuss how we can make it happen."
By framing your request around the value it delivers to your executive and the organization, you’ll position yourself as a proactive, strategic professional—and increase the likelihood of getting the green light for your training.
Ready to elevate your career? Visit Oceantive’s Executive Assistant Training to learn more.
Remember: You are your executive’s most valuable partner. Investing in your growth is a win-win for everyone. 🌊
