Is the Executive Assistant a manager or a leader?
The answer is both. And neither. And more.
Because assistants don’t fit neatly into either box, and that’s exactly the point.
They manage. Absolutely.
They manage workflows, priorities, meetings, conflicts, crises, energy, and time, not just their own, but everyone else’s too.
They hold the operational pulse of the organisation.
They are the ones who see the gaps, fix the inefficiencies, and keep the plates spinning.
That’s management.
But that’s not all it is.
Assistants also lead.
They lead sideways, upwards, and diagonally.
They influence decisions without a seat at the table.
They shape outcomes without owning the budget.
They anticipate risk, drive clarity, and build trust in every direction – not because they were asked, but because they know it’s needed.
That’s leadership.
And here’s what makes the assistant role so distinct.
It operates in the space between.
It doesn’t rely on authority to be effective. It relies on credibility, foresight, and relational intelligence.
It’s not about power, it’s about presence.
The assistant leads without ego.
Manages without control.
And connects the dots between vision and execution better than almost anyone else in the business.
Give them the scope.
Back their judgment.
And watch what happens.
