The ROI of a Skilled EA

Measuring Impact Beyond the Payslip

Introduction

The traditional measure of return on investment (ROI)—calculating salary as cost per hour × hours saved—fails to capture the transformative value EAs deliver. After all, an EA’s salary remains unchanged whether they do more, less, or different work. Instead, true ROI lies in areas like scalability, headspace unlocked, error prevention, and the innovation time granted to executives.

This Extra Wrap reframes the ROI conversation. We’ll explore multiple dimensions—quantifiable and qualitative—highlight how EAs elevate executives and organisations, and dismantle misleading narratives about ROI based solely on cost‑per‑hour formulas.

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The Invisible ROI of Upskilled EAs

Scalability: One EA, Multiple Gains

When EAs take on complex responsibilities—like diary management, inbox triage, project coordination, and stakeholder preparation—we act as multipliers. One high-performing EA can absorb tasks equivalent to potentially multiple junior staff. That scalability means executives can dedicate more time to essential activities, such as networking, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making.

Consider a senior EA who, by mastering modern scheduling tools, reduces erroneous double-bookings from 15 per month to zero. That eliminates stress, reputational risk, and the scramble to re-coordinate meetings. It's the kind of value that's hard to quantify with standard time‑saved metrics—but it directly protects revenue and relationships.

Task Reallocation: More Impact With Same Headcount

Instead of viewing time saved as “cost not spent” (which doesn't reduce salaries unless you’re willing to take a pay cut when you become more efficient), we should reframe it as time earned. When execution shifts from the executive’s plate to the EA’s—and the executive reinvests this time into higher-value tasks—the return is real.

For instance, if an EA handles research, briefing memos, or stakeholder follow-up, the CEO gets that time back. And if that regained time helps the CEO close a deal, mentor tomorrow’s leaders, or design a new product line, it's strategic ROI—not an accounting formula.

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Headspace Is Currency

Reducing Cognitive Load Improves Decision Quality

Cognitive science shows decision fatigue accumulates with each low-impact decision we make. By offloading routine and administrative decisions—like who should attend a call, where to note an action step, or how to prioritise tasks—EAs help executives conserve mental energy for high-leverage decisions. This improves the quality of strategic choices and reduces errors born of cognitive depletion.

Carving Out Space for Strategic Thinking

Deep work requires uninterrupted time. EAs who monitor schedules, set boundaries, and block strategic thinking time act as guardians not just of calendars, but of capacity. An EA who proactively schedules “thinking appointments” for an executive is investing in decisions that shape the future of a company—from new market entries to organisational design.

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Mistakes Cost Money

The Real-World Cost of Errors

Errors don't just create frustrations—they can cost substantially in fines, reputation, and opportunity. Examples like…

• British Airways’ data breach: Lapses in updating nested JavaScript triggered one of the largest GDPR fines—initially £183M (later reduced to £20M)

• NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter: The infamous loss due to unit-conversion mistakes, reportedly costing $125 million and valuable scientific opportunity .

While executive assistants might not manage spacecraft, mishandled logistics, missed compliance deadlines, or garbled communications can still have hefty consequences. That’s where EAs create ROI—not by saving hours but by preventing costly errors in the first place.

EAs as a Risk-Reduction Layer

A skilled EA doesn't just execute—they verify, follow up, clarify, and double-check. Their oversight means schedules are reliable, documents are accurate, travel is streamlined, and tasks aren't dropped. Each one of these functions avoids risk—and when compounded over time, the value of fewer missteps becomes clear.

Reputation is a very real currency when it comes to ROI - and having the reputation of a company or a leader who is always on point gains the trust of clients, customers and Boards.

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Time Gained = Innovation Unlocked

Executives Need Space to Lead

When EAs allow executives to focus on high-leverage activities, the return is tangible. Studies show that executives with more discretionary time report better business outcomes, from revenue growth to team engagement. The ability to attend a few surface-level meetings—or think strategically about broader wins—can add far more than the cost of the hours shifted.

EAs as Efficiency Architects