How to Become a Strategic Executive Assistant

Executive assistants play a crucial role in supporting top-tier executive staff within organizations. They are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the executive's office. In today's fast-paced business environment, these roles far extend beyond handling correspondence, scheduling meetings, and coordinating travel arrangements. The executive assistants of today understand that the main goal is to safeguard the executive's time efficiently and effectively.

Executive assistants are expected to possess a wide range of skills, including strong communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities. They must be able to anticipate the needs of their executives and proactively address any issues that may arise. Executive assistants also need to be proficient in technology, as they are often responsible for managing electronic calendars, organizing digital files, and preparing presentations.

Furthermore, executive assistants are often privy to confidential information and must maintain a high level of discretion and professionalism at all times. They serve as a trusted confidante to their executives, providing support and guidance in both professional and personal matters.

Overall, the role of an executive assistant is evolving to become more strategic and integral to the success of an organization. As businesses continue to grow and expand, the demand for highly skilled administrative professionals who can provide top-tier executive assistance will only continue to increase.

An effective executive assistant can be invaluable to a company's success. They understand the intricacies of their role and responsibilities and possess an aptitude for the strategic management of stakeholders. Executives view EAs as the glue that holds together their primary "point people". They help to keep operations on track while providing essential administrative support.

To become a strategic executive assistant, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of your executive's goals and objectives. This involves not only knowing what their goals are, but also understanding the metrics they use to measure success, the specific projects they are working on, and where their priorities lie. By having this level of insight into their work and priorities, you will be better equipped to anticipate their needs and provide proactive support in helping them achieve their goals. Management skills and project management are fast becoming prerequisites for senior executive support professionals.

Understanding your executive's goals and objectives also allows you to align your work and priorities with theirs, ensuring that you are working towards the same overarching goals. This alignment can help streamline communication and decision-making processes and foster a more collaborative and productive working relationship.

In addition, by understanding your leader’s goals and objectives, you can also identify opportunities to add value and contribute to their success. This may involve taking on additional responsibilities, suggesting new ideas or strategies, or finding ways to streamline processes and improve efficiency. By actively seeking out ways to support your manager in achieving their goals, you can demonstrate your value as a strategic partner and trusted advisor.

Overall, having a deep understanding of your leader's goals and objectives is essential for becoming a strategic executive assistant. You can pre-empt tasks before they need to be done or provide helpful resources or contacts whenever possible. By being proactive, aligning your work with their priorities, and seeking out opportunities to add value, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to your executive and contribute to their overall success.

Strengthening your skillset is key to becoming a successful strategic executive support professional. With executives' changing expectations, staying ahead of the curve is critical. By regularly developing and mastering new abilities, you can maximize your potential to create high-value contributions.

Executive assistants who want to be considered 'strategic' must possess a skillset that exceeds the usual. They must also have advanced technical capabilities together with refined, sophisticated abilities that are essential for successful C-suite executive support.

To be seen as a 'strategic EA' candidate, you need to show 5 key skills.

1. Strategic Planning

Good strategists understand how decisions made today will impact future outcomes. This makes it possible for them to look ahead and plan accordingly.

As an executive assistant, you need to create plans that match the executive's vision and goals. EAs have to have a good understanding of their executive's priorities. This allows them to identify potential risks or opportunities that may arise in the future. In this regard, executive support must be proactive rather than reactive to succeed.

2. Decision Making

When executive assistants make timely, sound decisions, managers can stay focused on their executive responsibilities. This requires executive assistants to weigh up options and consequences. They must also apply critical thinking and fairness to any situations or decisions that may arise.

3. Communication

Strategic EAs must communicate effectively and confidently up and down the chain of command. This includes communicating various topics and information - written and verbal - from executive directives to the executive's strategy. Effective communicators in global organizations must have critical cross-cultural communication skills. 

As an EA, you must exercise good judgment in determining how much information to share. You must keep all relevant parties informed without sharing confidential information. One could characterize this skill as an art.

4. Organizational Skills

The higher the level of EA, the more project-based the role can become. Give less detailed instructions and focus on sharing important updates instead of overwhelming your to-do list. The demands are, therefore, higher, meaning executive assistants must be able to prioritize tasks and manage their executive's workload.

How efficiently you manage operations is a hallmark of the quality of your executive support. You measure success by handling many tasks and people well while focusing on your executive's needs.

5. Leadership

Executive assistants have the opportunity to develop and hone their leadership skills. Enrol in leadership training for executive assistants. In doing so, you'll learn to become valuable advisors who can add additional expertise, emotional intelligence, interpersonal agility, and cultural competence.

By embracing these qualities, they are no longer seen as 'gatekeepers' but rather empowered leaders—the same kind of leaders who influence executive decision-making while taking ownership of important tasks at hand.

Making a difference in the executive support field

Developing these five critical skills can make a real difference in your executive's success and your career. To become a strategic executive assistant, take proactive steps and invest in training and development. The Global Assistant's program helps assistants improve their skills and gain confidence in their roles.

Develop these five critical skills and take a proactive step toward becoming a strategic executive assistant. It can make a real difference in your executive's success and your career. With the right attitude and knowledge, there is no limit to what you can achieve!

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The Global Assistant's Building Strategic Executive Support Program helps increase proficiency and cultivate confidence as a strategic assistant. We’re working directly with organizations that have taken the important step to develop their executive support teams and prepare them for success in the future of work. Get in touch if you want to learn more.