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They Don’t Have to Report to You to Respect You, Here’s How
The Strategic Assistant Revolution Continues
Joshua Washington
July 10, 2025
💬 Quote of the Week
Power is not given. It is taken.
💼 A Personal Note from Joshua
Hey EA-Pros Community,
You don’t need a C-suite title to own the room.
In fact, some of the most influential people in a company aren’t in charge on paper, but they lead through presence, persuasion, and power dynamics they’ve learned to master.
That’s what this week is about: Interpersonal Dynamics + Power Play.
Because when senior-level assistants understand how to navigate power structures without being intimidated by them, they become unshakable assets.
Let’s talk about how to build influence, not by force, but by strategic presence.
🧠 Feature Insight
The Unofficial Org Chart: How Real Influence Works
Every company has two org charts:
The one in the handbook.
The one that determines what gets done, who gets heard, and which ideas live or die.
If you’re not navigating both, you’re leaving your influence on the table.
Here’s what elite EAs understand:
Power isn’t just positional, it’s relational. Your access and insight can shift strategy if you leverage them intentionally.
Presence precedes persuasion. People sense your confidence, composure, and clarity before they respond to your request.
You don’t compete with power, you collaborate with it. Even in rooms where you’re not the loudest, you can be the linchpin.
✅ Your role gives you access.
🔥 Your behavior determines what you do with it.
🛠️ Power Play Framework
The 3 Types of Influence You Must Master
Influence Type | What It Sounds Like | Use When |
|---|---|---|
Relational Influence | “Here’s what I’ve observed working well across teams.” | Building trust before offering direction. |
Insight-Based Influence | “The data suggests this will save 6 hours a week.” | Presenting solutions without overstepping. |
Situational Influence | “Given today’s timeline, this is the most strategic route.” | Leading in high-pressure or decision-making moments. |
👉 Save this table. Use it to move ideas through, without pushback or politics.
🧠 Executive Coaching Corner
Are You Power-Conscious or Power-Aware?
Ask yourself:
Do I understand the unspoken hierarchies in my organization and how to navigate them?
Am I seen as a go-between, or a bridge between executives and teams?
Do I speak up at the right moment, or wait too long and lose influence?
📌 Challenge of the Week:
Identify one recurring meeting where your voice is muted (by design or dynamic).
This week, prep ONE strategic insight, phrase it using situational influence, and deliver it with confidence.
Watch what happens.
🚨 Free Training Invite: BREAKING THE LADDER
📅 Sunday, July 27 | 🕚 7:00 PM EST
You’ve probably seen the buzz already; this free executive-level training is filling fast (yesterday’s training was a major paradigm shift for many).
BREAKING THE LADDER is a new mindset sweeping the assistant industry. If you’re a senior-level assistant ready to:
Exit the “doer” lane and enter the “strategic partner” space.
Build influence across the org—even without formal authority.
Craft a career path that doesn’t trap them under a broken structure.
🎯 This isn’t a webinar. It’s a career turning point.
✉️ P.S.
You don’t need a title to lead.
You need the tools to leverage your access, presence, and insight intentionally.
That’s what this week’s newsletter is for.
Now go and shake the room.
Joshua