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The 9-Word Phrase That Separates Strategic Leaders from Support Staff

The Strategic Assistant Revolution Continues

Author

Joshua Washington
May 15, 2025

Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.

Simon Sinek

Hey EA-Pros Community,

If no one else has said it to you today: I see you. I value you. The world runs smoother because of the invisible yet indispensable impact you make every single day.

I want to gift you something special in today’s edition. It’s not a coupon or a coffee card. It’s a phrase - just 9 words - that has helped assistants cross the invisible line from being perceived as “just helpful” to being valued as strategic.

This one phrase has opened doors to promotions, leadership opportunities, and new levels of trust with executives. Let’s unpack that together!

With deep appreciation,

Joshua

In Today’s Edition of EA-Pros

✍️ Feature Article

The 9-Word Phrase That Separates Strategic Leaders from Support Staff

 💬 Executive Coaching Corner

Weekly Wisdom: How to instantly shift how you’re perceived in the room

📚 Inspiring Resources

Three career-boosting tools every strategic assistant should bookmark

✍️ Feature Article:

The 9-Word Phrase That Separates Strategic Leaders from Support Staff

It’s not complicated. But it is rare.

One of the most overlooked but powerful mindset shifts for assistants is learning how to shape conversations from “task-based” to “value-driven.”

This week, I want you to try using this phrase:

“Here’s how this directly supports our business priorities.”

That’s it. That’s the 9-word power play.

You might be tempted to underestimate it. Don’t.

When you respond to a question or present an idea and lead with how it connects to business goals, you instantly reposition yourself in the mind of your executive. You go from “person who gets things done” to “person who helps us move the needle.”

Here’s how to use it:

  • When making a decision: “Here’s how this directly supports our business priorities around retention.”

  • When giving updates: “Here’s how this directly supports our Q2 operational efficiency target.”

  • When influencing: “Here’s how this directly supports our talent strategy shift this year.”

This phrase instantly elevates the conversation. It frames you as someone who sees beyond the task and into the mission.

🧠 Try this challenge this week:

Use the phrase in at least one key conversation with your executive. Watch the energy shift.

💬 Executive Coaching Corner

Weekly Wisdom: 

“How can I shift how my executive perceives me, without waiting for a promotion or title change?”

Answer: Start with language that mirrors leadership thinking.

When you adopt the language of leaders - strategy, outcomes, alignment - you begin to subtly change how others see you.

Here are 3 micro-shifts that create macro impact:

1. Speak to Results, Not Effort

❌ Instead of:

“I stayed late to finish that project.”

✔️ Say:

“I ensured we hit the deadline because it protected our client relationship.”

2. Position Yourself as an Extension of the Business Strategy

Use phrases like:

  • “This supports our customer satisfaction target.”

  • “This creates cross-department alignment.”

  • “This removes friction from our process.”

3. Ask Forward-Thinking Questions

Elevate your input with:

  • “How does this decision tie into our bigger goals?”

  • “What potential risks are we overlooking here?”

These aren’t just linguistic tricks, they’re strategic postures. Practice them and you’ll start to notice people looking at you differently. And that’s where transformation begins.

💡 Inspiring Resources 

Closing Note

You are not an assistant. You are a leader who happens to assist.

Let’s stop waiting for someone to give you permission to act strategically and start showing them why they can’t move forward without your input.

The future is being shaped by the people who dare to speak like leaders, before they’re called one.

Talk soon,

EA-Pros Team