Executive Assistant Training

The Executive Assistant manages calendars, filters information, handles logistics, and serves as the critical interface between leaders and everyone seeking access to them. Today, #AI can automate perhaps 80% of these tasks with remarkable efficiency. But I believe automation will not eliminate this role, it will elevate it from #assistant to genuine partner. The future EA will spend less time on bookings and more time on judgment calls: deciding what deserves the executive's attention, prioritizing competing demands, analyzing plans before they reach the decision-maker, and anticipating needs before they become urgent. Throughout my career, my executive meetings were scheduled twelve months in advance, requiring thoughtful planning rather than reactive scheduling from assistants who knew what truly mattered. The qualities that make an exceptional EA cannot be automated: making #leadership possible, providing the human touch that keeps intense schedules bearable, and demonstrating the loyalty built through years of consistent judgment. These are delicate, well-compensated roles that are becoming more valuable as AI handles the routine and frees these professionals to focus on what truly differentiates them. What roles in your organization will AI elevate rather than eliminate?

It took me 7 months and dozens of interviews to hire an executive assistant. Fortunately, I think we got it right with Tess Hokin. Here's my advice to any leader looking to hire an EA: First, let me empathize with you - this is a hard role to hire for! It's probably the first time you're interviewing EAs, and it's challenging to evaluate them in a traditional behavioral interview process. There are two things that matter most: 1) Remember that this is a deeply personal hire. It's important to find someone who gets you and you really like as a person (because let me tell you, you'll be spending a lot of time with them) . 2) As much as possible you should incorporate real world scenarios into your process. Here are two main things we did: During my interview, I did two role-plays with Tess. One was about booking a reservation for a team dinner. Most candidates approached this like... What type of food do you like? Let me look at some options. I'll send you 3 restaurants to choose from. Tess walked into restaurants in person to feel out the vibe, befriended the staff and then sweet-talked the GM directly to book a reservation! The other was about not getting sick during all my travel. Most suggested rest or vitamins. Tess built me a complete travel kit and process - specific teas for the hotel, preventative supplements, a whole system I wouldn't have thought of myself. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail and taste (so important!!) set her apart. But most importantly -- Tess and I really vibe! We're both pastry aficionados, feed off each other's energy, and say Okurrr too much. I get energy when I'm with Tess, not drained from it when discussing logistics. It's easy to lose energy when going through the minutiae of scheduling, find someone where it feels like fun. P.S. I linked the take home assignment in the comments below, if you want to copy it. P.P.S. I was once an EA myself so I have a lot of empathy (and maybe too high of a standard) for this role!

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes an exceptional Executive Assistant. Not just a good one. But the kind of assistant who transforms the way an executive operates. Who quietly (or not so quietly) holds the rhythm of an entire organisation in their hands. And I keep coming back to this: EA = (S + T + P + EQ + AI) × V Where: S = Strategic Thinking T = Technical Proficiency P = Proactive Initiative EQ = Emotional Intelligence AI = Agility in AI and Tech Adoption V = Value Multiplier (Trust × Communication × Business Impact) The administrative profession has outgrown the box it’s been kept in. This isn’t just a clever formula. It’s a framework to define the full scope of a modern Executive Assistant. One that goes far beyond tasks and dives into the strategic core of what the role can be. This formula reflects the real job - the one that rarely makes it into a job description. S = STRATEGIC THINKING You’re not waiting for instructions. You understand your executive’s goals and anticipate what comes next. You think in terms of business priorities, long-term impact, and operational rhythm. You don’t just react - you lead. T = TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY You don’t just use the tools. You master them, whilst keeping one eye on emerging technologies which could help you perform even better. From calendars and CRMs to project platforms and travel apps, you operate with fluency and confidence, often training others in the process. P = PROACTIVE INITIATIVE You see the fire before the smoke. You solve problems before they escalate. You step in without being asked and add value that others didn’t even know was needed. EQ = EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE You navigate difficult personalities. You influence without authority. You handle pressure, feedback, and complexity with grace. Your diplomacy and empathy are strategic advantages. AI = AI AGILITY You’re not afraid of the future - you’re building capacity with it. You understand how AI can streamline workflows, analyse data, and reduce repetitive work. You’re no longer doing the admin. You’re using AI to manage the admin, creating more time for high-value, strategic support. V = VALUE MULTIPLIER But it’s the Value Multiplier that changes everything. When an assistant is trusted, heard, and strategically aligned, they don’t just add value. They multiply it. That’s why so many executives will tell you their assistant is their competitive advantage. And why so many businesses miss the mark when they treat the role as purely operational. If you’re still measuring assistants by how many meetings they book or how well they take minutes, you’re looking through the wrong lens. This profession is evolving - fast. And the assistants who are growing with it? They’re not asking for a seat at the table. They’re building new tables entirely. Download my full EA Formula Explainer below. 🔁 Repost to share 👉 Follow me Lucy Brazier OBE for administrative profession related content and inspiration.

The most important person who helped me get promoted was not only my sponsors and mentors. It was the Executive Assistant. In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, I want to share why we should never overlook the people who sit closest to leadership. Years ago, I recruited an Executive Assistant for the President of our division. She was brilliant, strategic, resourceful, three steps ahead. Only 3 years after leaving that role, we reconnected on LinkedIn. She had been promoted to an executive. I know firsthand that the Executive Assistant role prepares you for leadership in ways few others can. I held that role myself for about one year right after college. (Yes, I have had about 20 jobs in my life 😩.) The truth is: some of the fastest rising executives started exactly here. Behind the scenes. Managing the unmanageable. Building skills that most leaders wish they had. Learning how to lead without a title (knowing how to balance that influence without getting exploited with tactical work). If you are an Executive Assistant or you work with one know this: There is a blueprint to fast-track into leadership: • Identify your executive-level skills early (time, people, power dynamics) • Reframe your language to strategic outcomes (“executive prioritization” over “calendar management”) • Own a cross-functional initiative beyond your lane • Work in the language of the business (data, frameworks, decision impact) • Build executive communication across teams and leaders These are the roles Executive Assistants often move into: • Chief of Staff • Operations Director • Program Manager • Business Manager • Communications Leader • Strategy and Planning Lead • Executive in cross-functional leadership roles And if you are moving up yourself, do not overlook the power of having an Executive Assistant as part of your success cabinet. They can offer insights and strategic guidance few others can because they work so closely with the C-suite. This role is not a dead end. It is a launch pad. There are so many of you sitting in roles right now with an executive already inside you, even if no one else sees it yet. I see you. And you are closer than you think. #executivematerial —-

What if career growth wasn’t just about luck, but about following proven strategies? These actionable steps helped immensely in my career growth. 1. Excel in Your Current Role (Most Critical): Consistently meet or exceed expectations. A proven track record builds the foundation for future opportunities. 2. Align with Organization Goals: Understand your organization’s top priorities and demonstrate how your work contributes directly to them. 3. Seek Feedback Actively: Ask for constructive insights and act on them. This commitment to growth truly makes a difference. 4. Develop New Skills: Invest in training and learning opportunities to stay current with industry trends and keep your skills sharp. 5. Network Internally: Build relationships across departments. Gaining visibility beyond your immediate team shows you’re a collaborative team player. 6. Volunteer for New Assignments: Step up to take on responsibilities beyond your current role. Initiative today can lead to larger opportunities tomorrow. 7. Express Your Career Aspirations: Have open conversations with your manager about your professional interests and goals. It’s not just about a promotion—it’s about sharing where you see your future and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. 8. Mentoring: Seek mentors to accelerate your learning and also become a mentor to others to support their growth. 9. Maintain Integrity and Authenticity: Express your genuine views respectfully. Authenticity sets you apart and builds lasting trust. 10. Stay Resilient and Patient: Career growth takes time. Keep delivering excellence and demonstrating your value—the results will follow. What strategies have helped you achieve your career goals? I’d love to hear your story! #leadership #career #technology

The most successful admin assistants I've worked with didn't sit around waiting for promotion. They systematically redesigned their own role until the organization had no choice but to update the title. How to retool your assistant role into something much bigger: 1. Stop managing tasks, start managing outcomes - Don't just complete assignments. Take ownership of the business results those tasks are supposed to deliver. 2. Volunteer for cross-functional projects - Initiatives that cut across departments build organizational visibility and influence faster than any other strategy. 3. Become the information hub - Position yourself as the person leadership asks when they need to understand how things actually work across silos. 4. Learn the language of business - Take crash courses in finance fundamentals, operations, and key metrics. When you can credibly translate between daily execution and bottom-line impact, you've completely elevated your strategic value. 5. Ask for the title evolution - Once you're already operating like a chief of staff in everything but title, build the business case for the role you're performing and advocate for recognition. Don't wait for the title to magically appear. You build it through expanded scope, you live it through consistent delivery, then you claim it with evidence. Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights: https://vist.ly/4e7q6 #adminassistant #executiveassistant #careeradvice #careergrowth #careeradvancement #chiefofstaff #careerstrategy #professionaldevelopment #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #corporatelife

The most valuable team members are often the most invisible ones... 10 Things that could quietly fall apart if your human Assistant stepped away... (Managers and executives-you won’t see this on a CV when you hire an Assistant but you’d feel it once they started in the role) 👉 You translate business goals into action You’re not just managing a diary. You’re connecting the dots between ideas, decisions and outcomes. 👉 You read energy, not just emails When a message says “Noted” you already sense what’s beneath the surface. That’s not luck. That’s skill! 👉 You remove friction before it surfaces The tech glitch, the missed flight, the diary conflict? You’ve fixed it before it reaches anyone else’s radar. 👉 You challenge gently but effectively You don’t need to be the loudest voice. But you know how to influence outcomes with calm clear thinking. 👉 You protect thinking time You carve out the space your execs need to make smart decisions. That’s strategy, not "admin". 👉 You coach without calling it coaching You support, reframe, and guide. Quietly. Powerfully... And it changes how people show up. 👉 You humanise the workplace You remember names, notice shifts in mood, and bring emotional intelligence into every interaction. 👉 You stay curious and one step ahead Whether it’s a new tool, a smarter process, or a fresh perspective, you’re already on it. 👉 You see what others miss You notice inefficiencies, people dynamics, or communication gaps that others walk straight past. 👉 You don’t wait for permission to lead You take initiative, invest in your growth, and shape the future of this role your way 💥 ❓Question for leaders: What's the most valuable "behind-the-scenes" thing your assistant does that others never see? ❓Assistants: Which of these resonates most with your daily reality?

What Really Matters in the Executive Assistant Role? One Word: Integrity.  After more than 25 years as an Executive Assistant—supporting leaders in everything from small, fast-moving startups to global powerhouses like Revlon and Spotify—I’ve learned this truth over and over again: Skills matter, but character matters so much more. Yes, mastering complex calendars 📅, coordinating international travel ✈️, and anticipating needs before they're spoken 🔍 are all essential parts of the job. But those skills will only take you so far. What truly makes an EA exceptional is integrity, grounded in empathy, self-awareness, and compassion. We’re often called the gatekeepers, the force behind the scenes, the calm in the chaos—but more and more, executives don’t just need someone to lead quietly in the background. They need a partner by their side. Someone who sees the big picture, aligns with their values, and helps carry the weight of leadership with trust and consistency. In this role, we’re entrusted with the confidential, the emotional, the strategic, and the deeply human sides of business. And without a rock-solid foundation of doing the right thing—especially when no one’s watching—we can't truly deliver at the highest level. And this is exactly why AI will never replace the Executive Assistant. 🤖❌ AI can schedule meetings, generate reminders, maybe even draft emails—but it can’t read the room. It can’t sense when your executive is overwhelmed, when a team dynamic is off, or when a quiet check-in will make all the difference. It can’t offer emotional intelligence, loyalty, nuanced discretion, or the irreplaceable sense of "I've got you" that a trusted EA brings to the table every single day. So to all the rising EAs out there: Keep refining your systems. Keep sharpening your tools. But never forget—what sets you apart is how you show up. Be someone your leaders can count on, in every sense of the word. Because that’s what makes the role indispensable. And that’s something no algorithm will ever replicate. ✨ #ExecutiveAssistant #Integrity #LeadershipPartner #EAlife #ProfessionalGrowth #BehindTheScenesAndBesideYou #TrustMatters #AIvsHuman #EmotionalIntelligence #CareerDevelopment #LeadWithHeart #Spotify #Revlon #AI #AdministrativeProfessional #Empathy #Compassion

🌟 #ExecutiveAssistants: You're Not Just Supporting the Business — You're Driving It The role of an Executive Assistant (EA) has evolved far beyond calendar management and gatekeeping. Today, you’re a strategic enabler — the eyes, ears, and steady hand behind executive leadership. Here’s how to keep growing and thriving in this high-impact role: 🔹 1. #EmbraceDigitalMastery The modern workplace is powered by tools — and so are you. Be fluent in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, MS Teams, and project tools like Trello, Notion, or Monday.com. These systems don’t just help you organize work — they help you shine. 🔹 2. #BuildStrongBusinessAcumen The best EAs understand their executive’s goals, the business model, and the industry landscape. Want to be indispensable? Learn how the company makes money, what drives strategy, and how departments connect. You’ll anticipate needs before they arise. 🔹 3. #CommunicatewithImpact You often represent your executive in emails, calls, and meetings. How you communicate reflects their leadership. Clarity, diplomacy, and discretion are essential. Honing your writing and speaking skills is an investment that always pays off. 🔹 4. #BeProactive,Not Reactive EAs who thrive are the ones who see around corners. Anticipate challenges, manage shifting priorities with calm, and act before you’re asked. Emotional intelligence and adaptability are key to navigating high-pressure environments. 🔹 5. #InvestinYourGrowth Whether it’s a short course on project management, a leadership seminar, or certification like CAP (Certified Administrative Professional), don’t wait for permission to grow. Seek out learning — and connect with EA communities that inspire and challenge you. 🔑 Bottom line: Executive Assistants are not "just admin." You're strategic thinkers, relationship managers, problem solvers, and trusted advisors. As the profession evolves, so should the recognition, growth, and support you receive. 💬 What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your EA journey that changed how you work? #ExecutiveAssistant #CareerGrowth #AdministrativeProfessionals #EACareerAdvice #BusinessSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipSupport #StrategicPartner

Let's end the stigma of EAs being "stuck" in their roles. Every day, I hear of EAs leaning into their power. And I will never stop shouting it: you can be anything you want to be. Executive Assistants have the gift of seeing their company from the top. And with that, comes lots of opportunity.... Here are 8 SIMPLE STEPS to help EAs start to navigate potential career transitions ↴ 1) Start observing the functions & people in your company and notice which ones you’re organically drawn to. 2) Set up coffee dates (in person or virtually) to get to know and ask questions of people in roles you’re interested in. 3) Ask to sit in on as many meetings as you can to be in the middle of the action, and the learning. 4) Consider what you're great at and lean in: what company problems are you well-suited to solve? 5) If you have the bandwidth, take on small projects within different functions that you may be interested in. 6) Share your goals with your leader and ask for their support as you explore what's next for you. 7) Focus on your mindset & confidence: you CAN do a different job, and you will use the viewpoint of your EA role to help you learn, grow, and get there. 8) Invest in opportunities to level up, that make sense for your goals & your bandwidth. Just like anybody else... EAs can be anything they want to be. Let's end the stigma of EAs being "stuck" in their roles. 💪 __ ♻ Share to help spread power & possibility 👋 Follow Maggie Olson for content like this #chiefofstaff #EA