“But why are they even involved in this?”
It’s a question assistants hear far too often when they’re in leadership meetings. The assumption is that their role is peripheral. It isn’t.
Here are 30 reasons why they should be in the room where decisions are made:
1. They ensure every commitment their executive makes is captured, scheduled, and delivered.
2. They monitor what others commit to, because missed deadlines ultimately derail their executive’s priorities.
3. They keep a clear line of sight on what’s coming down the track, so the executive is never blindsided.
4. They translate strategy into actionable steps, ensuring decisions don’t stall at the idea stage.
5. They balance short-term demands against long-term strategy.
6. They manage the organisation’s most expensive resource: leadership time.
7. They filter distractions so the executive can focus on priorities.
8. They protect leadership energy by pacing workload and avoiding overload.
9. They flag when a decision is impractical given existing commitments.
10. They anticipate issues before they escalate.
11. They hold a unique, organisation-wide view that prevents siloed decision-making.
12. They understand competing priorities across functions and departments.
13. They see bottlenecks forming before others do.
14. They manage the flow of information between executives and the wider business.
15. They know which stakeholders must be consulted for a decision to stick.
16. They ensure meetings lead to outcomes, not just conversations.
17. They bring the “how” and “when” lens, complementing the “what” and “why.”
18. They spot practical barriers to implementation.
19. They ensure accountability is tracked beyond the meeting itself.
20. They safeguard against decisions being made in a vacuum.
21. They reduce risk by ensuring compliance, deadlines, and dependencies are not missed.
22. They provide continuity during leadership changes or organisational shifts.
23. They safeguard institutional memory across projects, people, and decisions.
24. They surface early warning signs leaders might miss.
25. They act as a trusted filter for sensitive information.
26. They read the dynamics and cultural undercurrents in the room.
27. They notice when decisions clash with organisational values.
28. They are trusted confidantes with insight into both the formal and informal organisation.
29. They amplify leadership capacity by handling execution alongside strategy.
30. They act as a bridge between leadership intent and employee reality.
Assistants aren’t “just there to take notes.” They are strategic partners who safeguard clarity, speed, and results.
If you still ask “Why are they even involved?” – you’ve missed the point.
