They say ghosts aren’t real — but every assistant knows better. From resurrected projects to haunted calendars, the admin world has its own kind of horror story. This Halloween, clutch your coffee and prepare for 21 office nightmares that will make every EA shudder with recognition. What would you add to the list?
Category: Strategic Business Partner
Founder Associate or Executive Assistant — Which One Feels Like Home?
A new title is emerging in the world of executive support: Founder Associate. Common in start-ups and scale-ups, it mirrors many of the same skills as a senior assistant — influence, prioritisation, and execution — but operates in a world without structure. While assistants bring order to complexity, Founder Associates thrive in chaos, building systems from the ground up. Both roles demand intelligence and courage, but the key question is: do you want to work within a system or build one?
Founder Associate or Executive Assistant — Which One Feels Like Home?
A new title is emerging in the world of executive support: Founder Associate. Common in start-ups and scale-ups, it mirrors many of the same skills as a senior assistant — influence, prioritisation, and execution — but operates in a world without structure. While assistants bring order to complexity, Founder Associates thrive in chaos, building systems from the ground up. Both roles demand intelligence and courage, but the key question is: do you want to work within a system or build one?
Founder Associate or Executive Assistant — Which One Feels Like Home?
A new title is emerging in the world of executive support: Founder Associate. Common in start-ups and scale-ups, it mirrors many of the same skills as a senior assistant — influence, prioritisation, and execution — but operates in a world without structure. While assistants bring order to complexity, Founder Associates thrive in chaos, building systems from the ground up. Both roles demand intelligence and courage, but the key question is: do you want to work within a system or build one?
The Rise of the Chief of Staff — and What It Means for Executive Assistants
The Financial Times recently spotlighted Chiefs of Staff as “the invisible ones running the world’s biggest companies.” But for many in the administrative profession, that description feels familiar. Senior Executive Assistants have long operated at the intersection of strategy, communication, and leadership — often without the title or recognition. The rise of the Chief of Staff doesn’t replace the EA role; it expands the ecosystem of executive support, redefining partnership at the highest levels.
The One Question That Transforms an Assistant Into a Strategic Partner
Most assistants master the how, what, where, when, and who — but the most powerful question of all is why. Asking why elevates you from task-focused to strategy-driven, helping you see the bigger picture, anticipate needs, and align your work with organisational goals.
Clarity Isn’t a Perk — It’s Mental Wellbeing
Unclear expectations drain more energy than long hours ever could. When your role shifts with every mood or reorganisation, burnout follows. Clear roles protect your mind the way boundaries protect your time — and that’s why the Global Skills Matrix matters. This World Mental Health Day, add your voice and help redefine what clarity looks like for assistants everywhere.
Your Gifts Were Never Small: Why Soft Skills Are Now Core Skills
Every assistant is born with unique gifts — intuition, empathy, foresight, diplomacy — yet too often, those strengths are dismissed as “soft.” The truth? In a world of AI and automation, these human skills are more vital than ever. When you use them boldly, you don’t just shine — you help others find their light too.
The Smart Founder’s First Hire: Why Your Assistant Should Come Before Anything Else
Most entrepreneurs think they can’t afford an assistant — but the truth is, they can’t afford not to have one. Research shows founders lose nearly two days a week to admin. Hiring an assistant isn’t an expense; it’s an investment that delivers immediate ROI, freeing you to focus on growth, strategy, and innovation.