The power of an exceptional EA

It's 7.43am on a Monday, and I'm staring at my calendar like it personally insulted me. Back-to-back meetings, a lunch I'll definitely forget to eat, and a pile of unread emails that could probably be classified as spam. 

But here’s the thing – I used to be the one managing this chaos. Before stepping into a General Manager role, I was an Executive Assistant (EA), and I can say with absolute certainty that a great EA doesn’t just manage time – they create it. 

Too often, the role of an EA is misunderstood. People think it’s about scheduling meetings and booking flights, but those of us who’ve been in the trenches know the truth: an exceptional EA is basically a behind-the-scenes COO. They’re part strategist, part therapist, part logistics genius, and more often than not, a personal caffeine supplier. 

A Strategic Partner. 

An EA, when truly empowered, transforms their executive from a stressed-out calendar hostage into a high-performing value creator. Here's how: 

• They filter out the noise. A great EA ensures that only the most relevant, high-impact information reaches their executive’s desk. This makes decision-making faster, sharper, and about 78% less painful. 
• They optimise time like a Tetris master. Back-to-back calls with no break? Not happening. Deep focus time? Scheduled. Energy levels at risk of crashing? Here’s a protein bar. 
• They act as the bridge between leadership and the rest of the company. EAs hear everything. They spot misalignment before it becomes a crisis and manage relationships like a diplomat. 
• They solve problems before they even exist. The best EAs are three steps ahead. They already have Plan B, C, and D in place before you even realise Plan A is falling apart. 
• The Value vs. Time Equation. Not all tasks are created equal. An EA ensures their executive is spending time where they add the most value. 

Influencing without Authority. 

One of the hardest parts of being an EA? You have to organise, delegate, and lead, all without an official leadership title. Some people (read: executives) get this and empower their EAs. Others, well… let’s just say they take a little longer to come around. 

But here’s the secret: authority isn’t about job titles. It’s about relationships, commercial-thinking, and knowing your stuff. According to Harvard Business School, real influence comes from a mix of a strong network, deep business knowledge, and undeniable expertise – all of which, are coachable. 

So, how do EAs level up their influence? 

• Build strong relationships. The bigger your internal network, the easier it is to get things done. 
• Know the business. Strategy, goals, risks – understand them, and people will start seeing you as a key player, not just an admin. 
• Communicate and do it well. Influence comes down to how you frame things. Learn the language of leadership and use it. 
• Own your expertise. Confidence is key. The more you demonstrate your value, the harder it is for anyone to overlook it. 

For EAs: Impact Beyond the Office 

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend the impact you have on your executive until you receive a call from home; whether it’s a wife filled with immense gratitude or a child excited that their parent actually made it to their end-of-term band concert, don’t ever underestimate how far your ripple effect travels. 

Work-life balance is not just a buzzword – it's a juggling act, and sooner or later, something's going to fall over. The best leaders know they can't do it alone. That's where an EA can play a massive role – not just keeping the balls in the air, but to make sure the right ones never hit the ground. How? 

• Reducing decision fatigue. The demands of the hundreds of things we juggle as leaders, parents, partners and/or friends can result in cognitive overload. EAs eliminate the noise so they can focus on what actually matters. 
• Safeguarding personal priorities. It's all about balance. That family dinner? Non-negotiable. That gym session? Locked in. Because we all know a burnt-out leader is no good to anyone. 
• Simply just being there. Leadership is lonely. A strong EA-executive relationship is built on trust, candour, and the occasional reality check. 

Things to think about 

To increase your impact both in the office and outside of it, ask yourself these questions: 

• Are you aware of your executive’s personal commitments outside of work, and are they in the diary? 
• Do you build in time buffers between work and personal events to prevent your executive from being late because something ran over? 
• Do you regularly talk about work-life balance and its importance? Is it a part of the culture? 
• Do you encourage your executive to practice healthy habits, daily? 

For Executives: Shifting the Perception 

Now, working in recruitment, I believe the biggest challenge for EAs is the outdated perception that their role is purely administrative. 

If you're an executive reading this and still seeing your EA as just an 'assistant', you're leaving value on the table. 

The reality is that a highly skilled EA is as much a strategist as they are an organiser. In my experience, organisations that understand this – and executives who embrace this mindset – see a tangible shift in their productivity and effectiveness. 

Things to think about 

It's time for leaders to rethink how you partner with EAs. Try this: 

• Include EAs in conversations. Context is key and the more they have, the better they can support you. 
• Invest in their growth. Give them access to training, mentorship, and development opportunities. It not only builds their capability but also their perspective. 
• Trust them to make decisions. The fewer bottlenecks you create, the smoother everything runs. 

Put another way, the way an executive utilises their EA can be a defining factor in their success. The best executives don’t just delegate tasks; they empower their EA to act as a true partner in leadership. 

If you’re an executive, I challenge you to ask yourself: Are you fully leveraging the power of your EA? 

If you’re an EA, know this – your role is invaluable, and when positioned strategically, you become one of the most impactful players in your organisation. Right now, what stands in your way of success? How many of your challenges can you influence, and how many require greater partnership with your executive? 

Every EA and executive relationship is different – but the best ones are built on trust, strategy, and mutual investment. What's one thing you'd change today to strengthen that partnership? 

Looking for a strategic recruitment partner who speaks your language and understands what defines a successful EA/executive partnership? Or, are you an EA looking for a new role to push your career forwards?  Get in touch.