In a powerful step forward, the UK government has voted to ban the use of NDAs to silence victims of workplace harassment and discrimination. For those—especially women in assistant roles—who’ve been bullied, pushed out, and then gagged, this change is deeply personal. It marks the end of enforced silence and the beginning of accountability. No more protecting reputations at the cost of truth.
Executive Assistant
If You Think Someone’s “Too Important to Ask,” the System Is Broken
After 15 years of working outside traditional structures, I’ve seen how office hierarchies can quietly silence people. When someone says, “I couldn’t talk to them—they’re too important,” it’s not just culture, it’s conditioning. Assistants, and others in perceived ‘support’ roles, often absorb this the most. But real leadership isn’t about reverence. It’s about accessibility, trust, and shared purpose. Because fear-based systems don’t build great teams. They build silence.
Assistants Aren’t Disposable: Why Support, Not Blame, Drives Performance
Too many assistants are being set up to fail—not due to lack of talent, but lack of structure, onboarding, and support. When organisations treat administrative professionals as interchangeable and expendable, they miss out on the strategic impact these roles can offer. Retention is cheaper than replacement, and investing in assistants is an investment in business performance. It’s time to stop blaming individuals and start fixing the system.
The Assistant as Conductor: Quiet Leadership in Motion
Executive Assistants aren’t just coordinating—they’re conducting. Like the conductor of an orchestra, they don’t need to play every instrument to shape the entire performance. With a systems-thinking mindset and deep emotional awareness, they manage pace, transitions, and team dynamics. Their leadership may be unspoken, but it’s essential. This is modern leadership—strategic, steady, and often unseen.
The Formula for an Exceptional Executive Assistant: Beyond the Job Description
What truly sets world-class Executive Assistants apart? It’s not just their skills—it’s their strategic mindset, emotional intelligence, and adaptability to technology. In this article, we introduce a modern formula that defines the full impact of the role:
EA = (S + T + P + EQ + AI) × V.
More than a clever equation, it’s a framework for understanding how today’s assistants aren’t just supporting the business—they’re multiplying its value.
Why Leaders Need to Make Time for Their Assistants — Even When They Think They Don’t
Busy leaders often skip regular check-ins with their assistants, thinking they don’t have time. But this creates a costly cycle of overwhelm and inefficiency. By investing just 10 minutes a day to align with your assistant, you unlock clarity, focus, and momentum—turning your assistant from overhead into your most valuable strategic partner.
EA vs. Chief of Staff: Stop Framing One as a Stepping Stone to the Other
Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff may work closely with leaders, but they solve entirely different problems. It’s time to stop treating one as a rung below the other — and start building true career progression within the assistant profession.
10 Essential Books for Executive Assistants Preparing for the Future
From deep focus and habit-building to leadership, influence, and AI readiness, these 10 books are must-reads for Executive Assistants looking to elevate their skills, expand their influence, and position themselves as strategic business partners.
Let’s Clear This Up: The Chief of Staff Is Not a “Promoted EA” Role
Confusion between the Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff roles is harming both professions. The Chief of Staff isn’t a next-step title for EAs—it’s a distinct, high-level role requiring a very different skill set. We must protect the integrity of the Level 4 EA and build realistic, rewarding career paths rooted in clarity, not shortcuts.
From Task-Focused to Impact-Driven: A Day in the Life of Two Assistants
Explore the stark contrast between a transactional assistant who completes tasks and a strategic executive assistant who drives business results. Discover how evolving from reactive to proactive support transforms not only daily work but also the perception and impact of the administrative profession.