Sophie Ahmed and Emma Hilditch

There is a unique power in the stage of life where experience, perspective, and presence converge. Beyond career peaks and milestones, this is a time of clarity, intentionality, and quiet strength. Women who reach this season bring stability, insight, and emotional intelligence that organisations rarely measure—but desperately need. This is not winding down; it is a deepening of influence and purpose.

Calendars are meant to help leaders focus, support assistants, and keep organisations running smoothly. When colleagues trawl through calendars to gossip or gain leverage, it signals low trust, poor communication, and a culture that needs attention. Assistants and leaders alike must recognise that professionalism starts with using operational tools as intended—not as weapons.

Email is not just a task; it’s intelligence gathering, situational awareness, and influence at the highest level. While AI can support triage, drafting, and categorisation, assistants are right to guard parts of this work. Full automation risks losing nuance, context, and political insight—the very elements that make executive support strategic. Professional discernment remains your most valuable asset.