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.
executive support
Should You Ever Consider a “Founder Associate” Role?
There are so many titles floating around our profession that I am loath to add yet another one, but one that keeps catching my attention is “Founder Associate.” It’s being used more and more in start-ups and scale-ups, often described as the founder’s “right hand.” Sound familiar? It should. But here’s the difference. A senior […]
When the Day Fills With Sand Instead of Stones
Some days, despite your best intentions, you end up spending hours on the small, easy tasks that don’t feel meaningful. It’s not failure — it’s your mind seeking a gentler rhythm. Give yourself credit for holding steady. Tomorrow, the stones will return.
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.
Assistant Succession: Planning for the Invisible Leadership Role
Executives often have succession plans—but what about their assistants? Senior assistants carry the executive’s operating system, institutional knowledge, and critical relationships. When they leave, the disruption can be massive, taking months for a replacement to reach full effectiveness. Intentional succession planning for assistants isn’t optional—it’s business continuity.
Scenario Planning: The Secret Superpower of Strategic Assistants
Executives make decisions; assistants make them work. The difference between a task-based assistant and a strategic business partner often comes down to one skill: scenario planning. From cancelled flights to tech failures, top assistants anticipate disruption, build robust alternatives, and execute backup plans before anyone notices a problem. This isn’t just logistics—it’s business continuity, risk management, and executive leverage.
Perfection Isn’t the KPI — Impact Is
For assistants, flawless execution often goes unnoticed, while even the smallest mistake is remembered. No wonder the weight of perfection feels crushing. But perfection is the most dangerous KPI — it fuels anxiety, erodes confidence, and overlooks the real value assistants bring. Your worth isn’t in the absence of mistakes, but in the countless unseen outcomes you make possible every single day.
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.
From Firefighting to Foresight: Why Scenario Planning Elevates Assistants into True Business Partners
Assistants don’t just manage diaries — they keep businesses steady when disruption strikes. From cancelled trains to failing tech, scenario planning is the underrated skill that turns chaos into continuity. AI can schedule, but it can’t improvise. Strategic assistants map out Plan B (and C) before the crisis even hits — and that’s what makes them indispensable.