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🚀 The Most Overlooked Skill That Separates Assistants from True Strategic Leaders
Joshua Washington
March 06, 2025
Hey EA-Pros Community,
I’ve seen it time and time again—assistants who should be leading, influencing, and making a significant strategic impact… yet they’re being overlooked.
Why?
It’s not because they lack intelligence, work ethic, or ambition. It’s because they haven’t mastered the one skill that separates assistants from true strategic leaders.
This skill has nothing to do with software proficiency, calendar management, or inbox zero (although those are great).
It has everything to do with how you communicate your value, influence decisions, and shape outcomes.
Let’s talk about how to master this game-changing skill—because once you do, there’s no limit to the level of impact and recognition you can achieve.
With purpose,
Joshua
In Today’s Edition of EA-Pros
Your guide to this week’s transformative content and resources.
✍️ Feature ArticleThe Most Overlooked Skill That Separates Assistants from True Strategic Leaders | 💬 Executive Coaching CornerHow to confidently speak up in high-stakes meetings. |
💡 Inspiring ResourcesTransformational tools to elevate your executive presence. | 🎤 Executive Coaching SessionJoin us for an exclusive high-impact executive coaching session. |
✍️ Feature Article:
The Most Overlooked Skill That Separates Assistants from True Strategic Leaders
Most assistants know how to get things done. But what about 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 do it:
1. Speak the Language of Impact
Executives don’t think in terms of “busy work” or “tasks.” They think in terms of outcomes, efficiency, and profitability.
❌ Instead of:“I rescheduled that meeting to next week.” | ✔️ Say:“By rescheduling, I freed up two additional hours for you to prep for your investor call, allowing you to focus on securing funding.” |
2. Stop Reporting—Start Advising
When you communicate with leadership, don’t just give updates. Give insights.
❌ Instead of:“The new process saves 10 hours per week.” | ✔️ Say:“By implementing this process, we’ve cut 10 hours of inefficiency—giving the leadership team more bandwidth to focus on revenue-generating initiatives.” |
3. Own the Room
Many assistants wait to be asked for input. Strategic leaders insert themselves into key conversations.
✔️ Before every meeting, ask:“What’s the biggest decision being made in this discussion? How can I add strategic value to that decision?” • Then, prepare a perspective that moves the conversation forward. | 🚀 Challenge for the Week:Pick one upcoming meeting where you typically stay silent. Contribute to something that frames you as a strategic thinker. |
đź’¬ Executive Coaching Corner
Question of the Week: “How do I confidently speak up in high-stakes meetings?”
Answer:
Your ability to own the room isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about framing your insights in a way that leadership respects.
Here’s how you can start positioning yourself for influence:
 | Prepare a Business-Centric PerspectiveExecutives care about the “why” behind a decision. |
❌ Instead of:“We need a better scheduling system.” | ✔️ Say:“A new scheduling system would reduce meeting conflicts by 40%, allowing leadership to make faster decisions.” |
 | Use Strategic Questions to Guide the ConversationIf you’re unsure how to jump in, use questions to direct the discussion. 📌 Example: “How does this align with our broader company objectives?” • This signals you think like a leader, not just a task executor. |
 | Speak with CertaintyEven if you’re not 100% sure, own your words. |
❌ Weak:“I think we might need to reconsider this.” | ✔️ Strong:“Here’s why this deserves another look.” |
🚀 Action Step: At your next high-level meeting, ask one thought-provoking question that reframes the discussion.
đź’ˇ Inspiring Resources
This Week’s Must-Reads & Tools for High-Performing Assistants:
🎙️ Podcast: “Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style”
Discover tactics to confidently assert yourself and make your ideas count.
📝 Article: “Small Shifts, Big Impact: Elevate Your Leadership”
Quick tips to enhance your leadership effectiveness.
📚 Book Recommendation: “The Charisma Myth”
A game-changer for learning how to command a room and build an executive presence.
🚀 Big News: We’re Hosting a High-Impact Executive Coaching Session!
🔹 Title: “From Assistant to Strategic Leader: The Influence Masterclass”
🔹 Date: March 12, 2025, 12:30 EST
🔹 Bonus: Be among the first 100 attendees to get free access to the game-changing Strategic Value Assessment.
Closing Note
Mastering influence isn’t just about gaining recognition—it’s about creating real impact. When you shift from being a task manager to a strategic leader, you position yourself as an indispensable asset to your executive and organization.
This week, I challenge you to step into your strategic power. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, reframing your contributions in terms of impact, or asking one powerful question that shifts the conversation—take action.
You already have the potential. Now it’s time to own the room and lead with confidence.
Let’s make this week count.
Join the movement and elevate your career!
All the best,
Joshua