Qualities of a VA

Overwhelmed with work but afraid to get help?

As an entrepreneur, I understand how difficult it could be to trust another person to do your work right for you. So if you are the entrepreneur who finds it hard to let go and get the help you need in growing your business, I suggest that you try to come up with a list of the qualities that you would require from your VA, and start from there. Below is a list of preferred VA qualities according to Stacy Brice, the woman who formalized the Virtual Assistance profession a few years back.

• Open. Is willing to learn new things, able to adapt to new ways of doing things.

• Quick. Is able to get it — whatever “it” is, rapidly.

• Intuitive. Listens well. Can hear what’s said and what’s not said.

• Proactive. Takes the bull by the horns. Sees something that needs attention and takes care of it.

• Focused. Can give each task or piece of work complete attention. Not easily distracted.

• Confident. Finds joy and peace in solitude. Trust gut instincts. Doesn’t need the input of folks around a water-cooler. Sees a path and follows it, or carves one out alone.

• Collaborative. Knows that the quickest and most joyful way to get something done is to work closely with others. Can break free of the corporate “Lone Ranger” mentality that says she has to do it all alone, or is somehow less valuable.

• Committed. Knows that starting a business is an investment, not a way to make money fast. Looks for partnerships – long-term relationships with partners, not quickie tasks or one-time assignments.

• Has the touch. Is able to attract people, simplify life and work.

• Has the magic. You know — open ears, engaged mind, ready heart. You really need to be insatiably curious!

VASupportPro has been following Stacy Brice for years, and so these qualities are already ingrained. Plus, there is another quality that Stacy has not listed that VASupportPro finds most valuable.

• Trustworthy. Will protect client information and keep it in strict confidence. Not use any information gained from a client for her personal benefit.

You are welcome to add more qualities that you believe would make working with a VA truly beneficial. After all, you are the one who will decide on who to hire.