EAs as Strategic Business Partners

Elevating Your Role and Impact

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of the EA has undergone a significant transformation. No longer are we confined only to traditional administrative tasks, EAs are increasingly recognised as vital strategic partners who contribute meaningfully to organizational success. When you look back to the work we did even just ten years ago, we have transformed what we do at all levels. Thinking back to when I was an EA near the start of my career, perhaps 15 years ago, there was so much I did that was manual. I used to have to stick receipts to paper with sticky tape, scan them, and then physically walk them up to another floor and hand them to the Accounts Payable team. Now we use apps on our phones and often don’t even need a physical receipt.

This shift presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges for those in the profession. In this article, we'll explore how we EAs can position ourselves as strategic business partners, set aligned objectives, and maximise our impact within our organisations.

Evolution

The evolution of the EA role is a natural response to the changing demands of modern business. As executives face increasingly complex challenges and time constraints, they need more than just administrative support. They require a trusted ally who can think critically, anticipate needs, and contribute to high-level decision-making processes. This is where the strategic EA steps in, ready to add value far beyond the traditional scope of the role.

Of course, I will point out that the basic administrative support is still an essential part of our role, and I don’t think that will change. We are needed by so many people to simply do the basics well and we shouldn’t lose sight of that. What is changing significantly is our ability to do these basic tasks efficiently - mainly through the use of technology, which in theory should give us some time to advance our careers and support our teams and Executives in other ways.

Transformation

To transition from a purely administrative role to that of a strategic business partner, EAs must first understand what this evolution entails, because it can be different for different EAs, different companies, and different sectors. At its core, being a strategic partner means aligning your work with the broader goals and objectives of the organisation. It involves developing a deep understanding of the business, its industry, and the challenges it faces. Strategic EAs are proactive problem-solvers who can identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and contribute meaningful insights to discussions at the highest levels of the organisation.

Objectives