Ep #114: On the executive support team with Lydia Milosavljevic and Zoe Scanlon
Lydia Milosavljevic from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Zoe Scanlon from the Attorney-General’s Department give us a masterclass in executive support on this episode of Work with Purpose.
What does it take to build a superstar executive support team?
Hear from Lydia Milosavljevic, executive assistant to Deputy Secretary Simon Duggan at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Zoe Scanlon, chief of staff to Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, about how to grow collaboration, prioritise appropriately, and build trust and respect for each other.
Lydia and Zoe chat with presenter David Pembroke about why it’s important that everyone on the executive support team knows each other’s worth and unique contribution, and why you shouldn’t leave developing a good relationship to chance.
Discussed in this episode:
- core tasks of EAs and chiefs of staff
- how to prioritise effectively
- collaboration between EAs, EOs and COSs
- sharing information between roles and keeping each other in the loop
- respecting and valuing each other’s expertise
- recommendations for EAs and chiefs-of-staff to build a strong relationship
- how to work effectively with the executive support team, no matter where you are in an organisation
- testing ideas with each other.
Guests:
Lydia Milosavljevic
Lydia Milosavljevic is currently the executive assistant (EA) to Deputy Secretary Simon Duggan at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Lydia previously supported Simon Duggan in his role as deputy secretary, Economy, Industry and G20 Sherpa at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). Prior to working with Simon, Lydia provided secretariat support to the Regulatory Reform Division within PM&C, delivering the Regulatory Reform Conference (alongside IPAA) in early 2022. A highlight of her career was throughout 2020, when she had the opportunity to be the EA to Nev Power (former chairman) and Peter Harris (former CEO) of the National COVID-19 Commission.
Zoe Scanlon
Zoe Scanlon is chief of staff to Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department. Prior to this position, Zoe has worked in various government roles, principally in the area of international law. She has also worked for the United Nations, in academia and has taught at universities.