While collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams have their place, email remains the gold standard for assistants managing external communications. Its formality, traceability, prioritization capabilities, and respect for workflow boundaries keep it at the top of the list for executive support professionals.
Author: Lucy Brazier OBE
Lucy Brazier, OBE is one of the world’s leading authorities on the administrative profession. Author of ‘The Modern-Day Assistant: Build Your Influence and Boost Your Potential’, she is the CEO of Marcham Publishing, a global force synonymous with world-class conferences and training, including Executive Support LIVE and Modern-Day Assistant, and home of Executive Support Magazine, the gold standard of training in print for administrative professionals. Lucy is passionate about ensuring the Assistant role is truly recognised as a career and not just a job and is dedicated to supporting the development of both senior and aspiring administrative professionals. She has keynoted at almost every major conference for Assistants in the world and has a unique overview of the role and where it is heading. Lucy is also part of our Speaker Bureau. If you are interested in Lucy training your Assistants or speaking at your event, either virtually or in person, please visit executivesupportmagazine.com/speaker-bureau.
From Support to Strategy: How Executive Assistants Are Powering Modern Business Operations
Today’s executive assistants are no longer confined to traditional admin duties. By embracing project management and data analysis, EAs are evolving into strategic assets—driving efficiency, delivering insights, and playing a key role in organizational success.
The Evolving Role of Executive Assistants: From Admin Support to Strategic Project Partners
As the workplace continues to transform, executive assistants are stepping into dynamic new roles beyond traditional administrative support. From managing projects to analyzing data, EAs are becoming strategic partners in business success—leveraging technology, streamlining processes, and driving informed decision-making.
The Untapped Power of Half a Billion Women: Time to Elevate the Admin Profession
The administrative profession is the largest employer of women globally, yet it remains one of the most undervalued. With no clear career path, training, or leadership, half a billion professionals are being overlooked. It’s time to unlock their full potential—and see measurable impact on your bottom line.
Life’s Too Short to Dread Mondays: Reignite Your Career Passion
Think about it—your working life is the biggest slice of your lifetime.
A small part is spent in education. Another tiny sliver is retirement (if you even get there). But in the middle? That’s your career. That’s where you spend most of your life.
So if your answer to “When were you last highly motivated?” is “…not recently,” it’s time for a reset.
You deserve a path that energises you. Whether it’s reigniting passion for your current role or finding something completely new—you don’t have to be stuck.
Go do the thing that makes your heart sing. Life’s too short not to.
AI Is Powerful—But Have You Fully Tapped Into Your Assistant’s Potential?
An executive proudly told me they’d invested thousands in Microsoft Copilot to reclaim an hour a week.
Great—except, doesn’t a well-utilised assistant already give you that every day?
AI is a phenomenal tool, and I’m a big advocate, but let’s not forget the human element. Assistants bring critical thinking, discretion, emotional intelligence, and adaptability to the table—skills AI can’t replicate.
It’s not an either/or. Before throwing money at new tech, ask: are we fully leveraging the talent we already have? Use AI to enhance the assistant partnership—not replace it.
