Dear OJ,
What I do not know is, if when you took the job, the CEO or your hiring manager informed you that your duties would also include working for the partner.
None the less, sharing of executive assistants is common.
It is also common for people to find themselves in the situation that you have.
This then, has become a test of:
1. Your loyalty to your boss, the CEO
2. Your time management abilities
3. Your diplomacy and tactfulness in dealing with others more senior to you in the work place.
4. Ability to balance multiple projects.
You do not want to become part of any power struggle that might exist between the partner and the CEO. You do not know if the CEO and partner are mutually involved at some level.
Consider that the project of the partner serves the same master. That is not the CEO, but the overall objectives and goals of the company.
Also consider, if the CEO were here, would you likely have to do the partner’s task anyway. (I believe you already stated that might be the case).
The partner might not have known about the CEO's project. Also, the CEO and he could have communicated without letting you know.
In your situation I would do the following:
1. When the partner tells you to stop doing what you are doing, accept his work....While doing so say I will get on it right away. When does it need to be completed by?
By doing this you are accepting his work without rebuffing. You need to know when the project needs to be completed because you need to balance two projects now.
If you have time to do both, then you do not have to worry about anything or do nothing more. You accept both projects and complete them both.
It is important, even when accepting work from the CEO to know when a project needs to be done.
If after starting the project, looks like you will not finish on time, then go back and ask for more time.
Remember, likely the Partner is in charge while the CEO is away. The last thing you want is the partner telling the CEO there is a problem with the new executive assistant.
When the CEO returns, and you are briefing him, you can tell him that you need a little more time. {Partner} gave you an urgent task to take care of that needed to be done right away, and you did not have time to complete the CEO’s project.
Above all, do your best to complete both projects. You can only approach this situation from a high level of industry and integrity.
__________________
YOUR PAYMENT AND BONUS IF ANY MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Edward M. Johnson
