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.
Tag: Executive Assistant
The 21 Office Nightmares Only an Assistant Will Understand 👻
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?
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 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.
Why the EA Role Is Built for the Future of Work
In today’s fast-moving, complex organisations, executive assistants already possess the skills that matter most—agility, systems thinking, influence without authority, and strategic insight. From connecting people to bridging technology and human judgement, assistants are uniquely positioned to lead the future of work.
Administration Isn’t Dying — It’s Evolving Into Strategic Partnership
AI will take the clerical tasks, but that’s not the death of the administrative profession — it’s the rebirth of it. Assistants have long been operating at a strategic level: translating ideas into action, safeguarding client relationships, and enabling leadership. The fastest-growing skills for assistants are project management, data analysis, financial literacy, and change management — not clerical, but business-critical. The risk isn’t AI, it’s outdated perception. Recognise assistants as strategic partners, and you’ll unlock one of the most cost-effective assets in the business.
The Smartest Voice in the Room Isn’t Always Yours
If your assistant always agrees with you, you don’t have a partner.
You have a mirror.
And a mirror can’t warn you when you’re about to walk off a cliff.
Here’s the thing:
• The best assistants sense-check decisions and ask why.
• They push back on processes that waste time.
• They flag risks you don’t want to see.
That isn’t insubordination.
That’s what partnership looks like.
Many executives still confuse silence with loyalty. It isn’t.
Silence is fear. And fear kills performance.
If you’ve hired well, you already have someone who sees what you don’t. When they speak up, they’re not undermining you. They’re protecting you. That’s their job.
I tell every assistant I train: your role is not to be afraid of your executive, but to be afraid for them.
So the next time your assistant challenges you, pause before shutting them down. Ask yourself: What am I missing?
Because here’s the paradox: the voice you silence might be the very one that saves you.
The smartest voice in the room isn’t always the loudest.
Sometimes, it’s the one you’re not ready to hear.
The Overlooked Risk: Why You Need a Succession Plan for Your Executive’s Assistant
Most organisations plan meticulously for C-suite succession but overlook a critical risk: assistant turnover. A senior EA carries the executive’s operating system — context, relationships, and rhythms that keep leadership running smoothly. When they leave without a plan, years of finely tuned knowledge disappear, productivity stalls, and business continuity suffers. Assistant succession planning isn’t optional; it’s essential.