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The Career-Killing Phrase Senior Assistants Still Use (Without Realizing It)

The Strategic Assistant Revolution Continues

Author

Joshua Washington
May 29, 2025

Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your mindset to match your destiny.

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Hey EA-Pros Community,

We need to talk.

Not about time management, email hacks, or calendaring (you’ve already mastered those).

But about something much deeper and far more critical to your long-term success.

It’s the subconscious language you use every day.

I’ve coached thousands of executives and assistants alike. And the assistants who stay “stuck” at the top are usually repeating the same five words.

This week, I want to help you replace them with something far more powerful.

Let’s talk about the most dangerous phrase holding elite assistants back and the language shift that can unlock your next level.

With high expectations for your future,

Joshua

In Today’s Edition of EA-Pros

✍️ Feature Article

The 5-Word Phrase That Keeps Brilliant Assistants Playing Small

 💬 Executive Coaching Corner

Weekly Wisdom: How your language either limits or leverages your leadership

✍️ Feature Article:

The 5-Word Phrase That Keeps Brilliant Assistants Playing Small

We all have scripts we’ve internalized.

But one phrase in particular has quietly sabotaged the careers of otherwise brilliant, strategic assistants:

🛑 “I just wanted to check…”

Sounds familiar?

It feels polite. It sounds deferential. But here’s what it actually communicates to your executive (even subconsciously):

  • “I’m unsure of myself.”

  • “I’m interrupting.”

  • “This might not matter.”

Now contrast it with this:

✅ “Following up to move this forward.”

✅ “Here’s my recommendation based on where we’re headed.”

✅ “This aligns with your Q3 growth focus.”

One phrase shows hesitation. The other signals leadership.

Strategic assistants don’t ask for permission to contribute, they anchor their words in clarity, alignment, and impact.

This isn’t about tone-policing. It’s about becoming so aligned with executive-level thinking that your presence becomes indispensable.

🧠 This Week’s Challenge:

Audit your last 10 emails.

Where are you softening your power?

Where can you reframe to communicate from a place of strategic clarity?

💬 Executive Coaching Corner

Weekly Wisdom: 

“How do I come across as more decisive without being overbearing?”

Answer: Communicate like an advisor, not a coordinator.

Here’s how to bridge the gap:

Drop disclaimers

Don’t start your ideas with “I might be wrong, but…”

That’s giving away your credibility before the idea even lands.

Lead with data or business alignment

❌ Instead of: “I think we should consider this vendor.”

✅ Say: “This vendor saves us $18K annually and cuts onboarding time by 22%.”

Ask for feedback, not permission

Close strong: “I’d love your perspective on this approach,” not “Let me know if this is okay.”

Decisiveness isn’t arrogance, it’s confidence paired with strategy.

And the right kind of decisiveness earns trust fast.

Closing Note

Every week, we talk about strategy. But this week it’s about legacy.

How long will you keep waiting for the recognition you deserve?

What if one language shift could create the perception change you’ve been waiting for?

What if you already have what it takes and just need a better communication method?

You’re not here to sound smart.

You’re here to be taken seriously.

Let’s go make that happen starting today.

With respect and high expectations,

EA-Pros Team