Interview with Teresa L'Heureux

This week, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Teresa L'Heureux, an Executive Assistant who embodies resilience, discipline, and a profound commitment to making an impact. Teresa is a dynamic and incredibly experienced Executive Assistant, having supported C-Suite Executives across multiple departments and industries, and her background as a former competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder speaks volumes about the tenacity and discipline she brings to every aspect of her work.

Teresa, your background as a former competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter speaks volumes about your discipline, tenacity, and "stick-to-it-ness." How do you leverage these qualities in your professional life, particularly when faced with complex challenges or long-term projects as an Executive Assistant?

When I was competing, it was important that I knew the long-term goals- hit my physicality as well as win! But also, my mid-range and short-term goals. I needed to make sure that I ate properly every day with only one cheat meal a week and that my workouts were consistent. THESE are the practices that got me across the finish line every time. I believe that as a successful EA, it’s important to have that mindset as well. Understand and relate to the long-term goals for not only my role and my C-Suite but also the company. Equally as important are the short-term goals to support and assist with calendaring, chaos control, crisis management and email prioritization. Keeping things in order on a daily basis but never losing sight of the long-term goals of initiatives and projects are what I believe are the secrets to success!

Building strong relationships with stakeholders has been central to your success. Can you give an example of how your ability to foster collaboration and manage sensitive communications directly led to smooth project execution or impactful results?

Being the PM on an $82m Strategic Planning Initiative meant that I had to effectively and efficiently relay updates in a concise and correct manner. I truly believe in the principle of AGILE: what happened yesterday, what are we doing today and what are any challenges or roadblocks. And what are the steps we are taking to correct. Sending communication such as this at a regularly scheduled time was paramount to keeping my stakeholders and team members updated on progress or issues.

Can you describe an event you've organized or significantly contributed to, detailing how you managed the logistics, adapted to any unforeseen challenges, and ensured its successful outcome?

A lot of people do not realize that EAs are also event planners. We are party makers!! WOOOOO HOOOOOO Attention to detail is in our DNA and facilitating an event is no different than all of the other bazillion tasks that we complete regularly. I was tasked with a live event for approximately 200 people with 10 staff. From the inception it was critical that all roles were clearly defined, a chain of command was set in place and regular communication was established with not only my team but attendees as well. Asana was pivotal in organizing all tasks internally as all could see all progress. I also created a project timeline so that execution could be viewed immediately. When planning a short 3 person meeting to a large-scale event, it is important to hope for what could go right but always prepare for what could go south. Have a backup plan. Have people and systems in place so that everyone feels comfortable knowing that all bases are covered.

As someone who clearly possesses immense discipline and dedication, what are your personal strategies for self-care and maintaining your energy and focus, especially during demanding periods or when navigating transitions?

I have two furballs that keep me grounded. Akira and Hachi, my two rescue huskies are always at my feet in my office but make sure that we all get in our steps! This is a nonnegotiable part of my day. Working virtually for many years, it is way too easy to drop back to my desk and “just finish this one thing”. I caught myself doing that quite often. I realized very quickly that burnout could and would be a thing. So, I started “anchoring”. This is the act, motion, word or movement that tells you something. Some self help and support groups use bracelets that they snap. My “bracelet” was my light switch!! When I turned it on, we all- huskies and cats- assumed the position and knew it was time to work. At the end of my workday when that light switch was flipped to OFF, work was over until the next. NO negotiation. NO take backs. And YES, there were a few times that my exec truly needed something during my off times but that was far and few.

Given your experience in animal rescue, with your huskies and cats, how do you find that volunteering and working with animals impacts your professional mindset or your approach to collaboration and problem-solving?

Most importantly my work in animal rescue keeps me grounded and it teaches empathy. Plus, it is truly rewarding to help those creatures that need my help. I work in TNR- Trap aNd Release- in the cat community here in Sacramento. Feral cats are trapped and neutered /spayed and vetted. They are released back to their community, and they stop reproducing and are healthy. Using empathy as an EA is so important to understand that everyone is fighting or dealing with something that we might not realize. Everyone gets overwhelmed at times, and it is our job to be discerning and offer assistance when needed. I feel that this is true with not only other team members but my C-suites as well. They are under enormous stress, and it is my job to alleviate as much as possible by not only my work ethics and practices but my true kindness and caring. This assures them that I am truly attentive to their needs not only for the company but personally. I had a COO that I supported, and I would drop into his Skype and ask “when was the last time he had some water? Its 3pm didja eat lunch? Want me to Door Dash?” or just a joke or funny meme. They need to take a breath too. Making others around us smile and feel kindness and caring is so important to keeping all teams focused, healthy and supported.

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Teresa is a dynamic and well experienced Executive Assistant who has supported C-Suite Executives across multiple departments and industries. As a former competitive powerlifter/bodybuilder, she has tenacity and discipline in her work. She is also an animal lover and rescuer, assisting organizations in Northern California. Teresa is an internationally award-winning author of My Rock My Hard Place which takes you on a journey through her darkness of Domestic Violence into the light of her amazing life. She has traveled as an advocate to speak on rising from the shadows of trauma. Teresa works from her home office in Sacramento CA with her huskies at her feet and a menagerie of felines of all shapes, sizes and attitudes!!

Teresa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-l-heureux-pmp-00098018/