Exceptional Advising and Assisting--Interview with Maureen Chant, Jim Pattison's Executive Assistant

Exceptional Advising and Assisting

Interview with Maureen Chant, Jim Pattison’s Executive Assistant since 1963

Maureen Chant has been with the Jim Pattison Group since 1963 as Jim’s Administrative Assistant and Advisor. Jim Pattison Group is the 2nd largest Private Corporation in Canada with $9.6 Billion in Annual Sales, 42,000 employees and 575 locations worldwide. In March 2017 Jim Pattison gave the largest private donation in Canada’s history ($75 M) to St. Paul’s Hospital. Maureen is interviewed by Norm Smookler, the Exceptional Leader 360 Feedback Tool designer.

Please describe your job.

My job is to represent the Jim Pattison Group in all I do. That means providing assistance, advice or physical help to each division and all employees. I also attend to the business and personal needs of Jim Pattison such as correspondence, telephone calls, travel, banking, and family matters. I’m also responsible for our aircraft, boat, and Palm Springs property and office condominium, in terms of hiring staff, overseeing maintenance and repairs and entertainment.

How did you learn to know what Jimmy needs?

I’ve been practicing for the last 54 years. Jimmy and I have a very open communication with each other and always have had, so we readily communicate when things are going well and when they are not. Jimmy is always very clear about his needs and how he wants them performed, and I am equally clear with him when I think he should do something differently.

How do you help someone who has something that needs to get to Jimmy but they are a difficult person and you want to protect Jimmy from that?

I am always honest and straightforward with people and tell them that Jimmy is not available to talk to them, but they can tell me what it is that they want and I will endeavour to get an answer from Jimmy for them, or find someone that can help them.

How do you deal with someone who tries to get past you and go directly to Jimmy?

Happens all the time. If they do get to Jimmy he refers them back to me.

How do you deal with delivering bad news to Jimmy?

Straight up with all the available facts and if I have a solution I offer that also.

What has been your greatest joy in doing this job?

Just coming to work everyday. I have had so many great events happen to me because of my job, I would not trade one day.

What has been your greatest fear in doing this job?

That I will make a mistake that will damage the company or Jimmy in some way.

What incident most made you think you had made a mistake and what did you learn from it?

When I spoke out of turn to the Securities and Exchange Commission. I learned to keep my mouth shut until I knew what I really wanted to convey.

Based on your experience, please share three suggestions.

Always be honest. Give 110% to your work. Make sure you know the facts.