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The Skill That Gets You Noticed, Trusted, and Promoted (Most Overlook It)

Author

Joshua Washington
April 10, 2025

The Strategic Assistant Revolution Continues

Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.

Steve Maraboli

Hey EA-Pros Community,

There was a time I believed strategic impact came from doing more - more tasks, more hours, more sacrifice.

But the truth? Strategic impact doesn’t come from doing.

It comes from how you think, how you frame, and how you communicate the value of what you do.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share another powerful insight from our upcoming book, The Strategic Assistant, launching April 23rd. This week, we’re unlocking one of the most overlooked breakthroughs - straight from Commandment #3: “Know Thy Business.”

It’s time to stop standing behind strategy and start stepping into it.

Let’s dive in.

Joshua

✍️ Feature Article:

How to Speak the Language of Strategy (Without Changing Who You Are)

(Inspired by Commandment #3 in The Strategic Assistant)

Most assistants know how to get things done. But the ones who become true strategic partners? They know how to get things heard.

Your ability to influence is the single most valuable skill you can cultivate.

Why?

Because decision-makers don’t just need someone who executes—they need someone who guides the direction of key initiatives.

Here’s how you start:

1. Translate Tasks into Business Drivers

❌ Instead of:

“I handled the onboarding logistics.”

✔️ Say:

“I reduced onboarding time by 37%, accelerating team productivity by 2 weeks.”

2. Frame Initiatives Using Executive Priorities

❌ Instead of:

“We had 94% attendance at the company retreat.”

✔️ Say:

“This retreat created team alignment that contributed to a 22% reduction in internal conflict reports.”

3. Use ROI-Driven Language

❌ Instead of:

Replace “busy” with “business impact.”

✔️ Say:

Think: time saved, dollars protected, revenue enabled.

The assistants who master this communication style are the ones executives turn to for insight, not just tasks. And when you speak this language fluently, promotions, influence, and leadership follow.

💬 Executive Coaching Corner

Weekly Wisdom: 

“How do I get my executive to see me as more than just support?”

Answer: Coach Them, Silently.

Executives are conditioned to see what’s in front of them. If you want them to see you as strategic, here’s how to guide their lens:

Lead with Data, Not Details

Start framing your work with metrics and outcomes.

“This saved us 11 hours and improved follow-up compliance by 45%.”

Anticipate Strategic Priorities

Ask, “What upcoming decision is my executive preparing for?” Then do the background work to prepare insights they didn’t ask for, but will thank you for.

Insert Yourself into the Strategy Layer

Offer a POV: “I noticed the investor team asked about X last quarter. Want me to draft a summary aligning this new proposal with that narrative?”

Executives don’t elevate assistants based on hard work. They do it based on strategic foresight.

💡 Inspiring Resources 

  • 📚 Book: Made to Stick 

    • Learn how to make your ideas unforgettable to executives.

Book Pre-Order: The Strategic Assistant

Official Launch: April 23rd (Administrative Professionals Week)

⌛ Pre-Order Bonuses (Limited-Time Only)

• Bonus #1: Access to our exclusive live training: How to Elevate Your Value and Transform Your Role in Just 3 Months!

Closing Note

Remember this: You don’t need a new title to elevate your value.

You just need to shift how you frame it.

Because when you communicate like a strategic leader - people start seeing you as one.

Let’s keep building this future together.

To your success!

EA-Pros Team