How do you develop/master the following skills?

Question

quick thinking
strong business acumen
diplomacy
political skills
last-minute planning, decorating, construction
styling
financial planning

and anything else you can think of to master when you become a Personal Assistant(or before)

Answer 1

1. Quick thinking: Its about being able to make novel connections between things that didn't exist before. Also, if you can master lots of triva you won't have to re-invent the wheel.

Read everything. I'm serious about *everything* shampoo bottles, microwave dinner boxes, tee-shirts. If it has words on it and it is infront of you read it.

2. Read the Wall Street Jounal, take a intro to business class, or buy a "business for dummies" book

3. Diplomacy: The art of not laughing at someone when they slip and fall on their a-$$. Diplomacy starts with empathy. If you know how the other person is feeling, you can anticpate how they would react to what you say.

4. Politcal skills as in work politics? or real world?
Work: build a network.
1.Greet everyone you meet with a genuine smile like you are happy to see them. Wave or nod if they are accross the room.
2. Learn people's names. Use them.
3. Eat lunch in the cafeteria.
4. Each "lunch out" out with groups. Different groups, not the same everyday.
5. Take "walk around" stretches during the day, to "see what other people are up to. (Only 2-3 max only 3-5 mins each.)
6. *NEVER* talk bad about other people.
7. Always listen when other people are talking about other people.
8. Keep secrets private. Be discrete. People will confide in you.
9. Don't use power to make yourself feel good, only for important things. And only for good.
10. Don't date anyone in the company.

- Bottom line, your power will come through an ability to get things done through people or calling in favors, Thus you must get people to like you, and must do business in the "Favors" market (without being a wolf, or a doormat)

Realworld politics:
1. Ignore the news, it is *ENTERTAINMENT ONLY*, designed to sell comercial air time.
2. Read your history, lots of it. Take it up as your evening reading, Or get some History channel stuff from your library. Start trying to peice the truth together from all the clips you get from all sides.
3. Realize the "powers that be" are just people too. There aren't any huge conspiracies in the plans, If you look at the people you work with, how many of them could pull it off? Same people, slightly higher pay grade and nicer suits... thats all.
4. If you see something you don't like on a local level. Talk to your representative, get a feel for the process.
5. Go to local political events and listen.

5. Last minute event planning:
1. When
2. How many
3. Where
4. Food / Drink
5. Entertainment
Decorating:
Table top: 2 latex balloons + 1 mylar, 1 floating candle in a fishbowl on a mirror, plus metalic confetti.
"Gossamer" fabric in bulk
"Twinkle lights"
Pick a focal area, stage etc in large room, fire place in small room. "Groupings" of items in odd numbers look better than evens.

6. Styling: Personal styling? Beauty? Rona Bergs "the new beauty" everything you need right in there for face, body, & hair. Clothes try "Figure it out" It's on dressing for your shape.

7. Financial planning: "How to ruin your fiancncial life. " By Ben Stein (the comedian) Seriosly good advice.

8. Pick up a copy of "how to write well" for idiots. Of all things writing will take you further in impressing your colleages, few people do it well. Learn how to spell better than I do.

9. Have a drawer with:
Menus to local restaraunts
# to dry cleaner
# to several taxis
# to nearby hotels + dirrections to and from
# for Florest
Birthday Cards, Also 2 condolances
Candy (for other people)
Sewing kit, inc extra safety pins
Screwdriver, Hammer
Shout wipes
Spare hose (self)
Duct tape
Coloring book and small box crayons
2 Granola Bars (for You)
Nail file

That should do you to start ;)

Answer 2

Experience and lots of background work. You have to be knowledgeable in your field and it helps to already know the players. Do your homework and know your resources.