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3 Invisible Mistakes That Stall Strategic Careers (You’re Too Smart for These)

The Strategic Assistant Revolution Continues

Author

Joshua Washington
June 12, 2025

You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems

James Clear

Hey EA-Pros Community,

After coaching over 1,275 executive leaders and assistants, I’ve learned this truth:

Most career ceilings aren’t built by the company. They’re built by subtle, unnoticed patterns we never question.

And here’s the kicker - once you see these patterns, you can change everything.

This week, I’m breaking down 3 subtle habits that are keeping some of the most talented assistants I’ve ever met from getting promoted, being seen, and finally getting credit for the work they do behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever felt invisible despite being essential, this one’s for you.

Let’s break the pattern.

Unlock your God-given potential,

Joshua

✍️ Feature Article:

3 Invisible Habits That Block Career Growth

You could be doing everything right and still be overlooked.

Why?

Because visibility, credibility, and career mobility aren’t just about performance. They’re about perception. And perception is shaped by behaviors that are often invisible to you, but highly noticeable to your executive.

Here are 3 behaviors that block your growth (and how to fix them fast):

1. Speaking Only in Tasks, Not in Outcomes

❌ Problem:

“I completed the meeting notes” sounds helpful, but not strategic.

✔️ Fix:

Say, “I captured key decisions from the meeting to accelerate next steps.”

✅ Frame everything through the lens of business impact. Your language shapes your value.

2. Protecting Instead of Proposing

❌ Problem:

You’re shielding your executive’s time, but not proposing smarter solutions.

✔️ Fix:

Don’t just say no, bring a better yes. “Instead of another 30-minute meeting, I suggest a one-pager that summarizes the update, a voice memo that can be listened to on demand, a Loom video, an AI meeting agent to handle the updates and follow-up questions, etc.”

✅ Strategic partners don’t just guard resources, they optimize them.

3. Avoiding Risk Conversations

❌ Problem:

You notice red flags, but stay silent out of fear or uncertainty.

✔️ Fix:

Ask powerful questions:

“Would you like me to flag potential risks when I spot them?” or “When would you want visibility on this now or after the situation is clearer?”

✅ Influence grows with proactive alignment, not reactive.

⚡ ACTION STEP FOR THE WEEK:

Choose ONE of these habits and reverse it in the next 48 hours. Then measure what happens, keeping track of how your voice is received.

🧠 Executive Coaching Corner

This Week’s Coaching Insight: “Don’t Wait to Be Chosen”

Your value isn’t unlocked when someone gives you a title.

It’s unlocked the moment you stop waiting to be seen and start speaking like the partner you already are.

Here’s a coaching challenge I’ve issued to hundreds of senior-level EAs (and I’m giving it to you this week):

“In your next executive interaction, say one thing that communicates in terms of value, even if it feels bold or uncomfortable.”

💡 Try:

  • “To align this with our business objectives/strategic plan, I’d suggest…”

  • “Here’s where I think we could gain efficiency…”

  • “Want me to take the lead on streamlining that process?”

Don’t just support, shape, lead, and inspire! That’s how you own your own and design your future.

🎯 Exclusive Resource: Free Chapter Download

Still on the fence about The Strategic Assistant book?

This week, I’m giving you a free downloadable chapter, no strings attached.

Why? Because if this book speaks to your future, I want you to know it before you buy it.

📌 Closing Note

You’re not a supporting role, you’re a strategic force.

Executives don’t build empires alone. They build them with aligned, proactive, strategic allies.

And that’s who you are.

Let’s dismantle the old narrative and write the next chapter of your career together, starting with a single moment of strategic clarity this week.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.

EA-Pros Team