Another day, another post reducing Executive Assistants to human booking systems.
This time, we’re told:
🟦 Chief of Staff = strategic partner
🟦 EA = tactical/logistical support
Apparently, we’re still clinging to the idea that EAs are just there to manage calendars, book travel, file expenses and organise logistics.
If this is all you think assistants do, you haven’t been paying attention.
It’s a brutal fact, but if that IS what the EA role is, there won’t be a role for much longer.
AI is already automating calendar management, inbox triage, expense processing, itinerary building, logistics and meeting prep. Fast.
And it’s only getting better.
LinkedIn’s 2024 data shows the shift:
💡 Assistants are already spending 30% more time on strategic work
💡 They’re upskilling in AI, project management, and data interpretation
💡 And companies that invest in their assistants are seeing higher productivity and stronger leadership capacity at the top
Meanwhile, according to the 2025 American Society of Administrative Professionals State of the Profession Report:
📌 74% of EAs are already managing projects
📌 71% are providing strategic support
📌 63% are responsible for internal communications
📌 58% are involved in data analysis and reporting
📌 And 30% say their strategic work has increased since adopting GenAI tools
So why are we still pushing the narrative that EAs are tactical while Chiefs of Staff are strategic?
EAs aren’t becoming strategic partners when they make the shift to Chief of Staff.
They ARE strategic partners. Right now. Today.
The reason so many people keep trying to draw these lines is because they don’t understand the evolution of the assistant role – or they’re trying to sell a narrative that suits their product, not the profession.
The truth is that in many companies, a top-tier EA is already bridging strategy and execution. Already driving alignment. Already turning vision into action.
The only thing that really needs redefining is how you see the EA role.
Stop pigeonholing.
Start recognising.
