Office Administration & Digital Productivity · Intermediate level

Intermediate level · Module 5: Executive Support and Priorities · Lesson 1 of 3

Supporting a Manager

Manage a manager's time, correspondence and visitors.

In this lesson you will

  • Manage a manager's calendar and inbox
  • Prepare briefing notes

Key concepts

calendar managementcorrespondence triagebriefing notesgatekeeping

The lesson

Agree with the manager how to manage their calendar: protected time, meeting lengths, travel buffers and who may book directly.

Triage correspondence: deal with routine items, draft replies for approval and flag urgent or sensitive items.

Before meetings, prepare a short briefing note: purpose, attendees, background and decisions needed.

Step by step

  1. Agree calendar rules.
  2. Triage a sample inbox.
  3. Draft replies for approval.
  4. Prepare a briefing note.

Practice activity

Manage the director's simulated week.

Expected result: An organised calendar, triaged inbox and useful briefing note.

Check your understanding

  1. What should a briefing note include?

    Show answer

    Purpose, attendees, background and decisions needed.

  2. What does triaging correspondence mean?

    Show answer

    Sorting items by what to handle, draft or flag.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.