Understanding the Strategic Executive Assistant: Clearing Up the Misconceptions

Richard Arnott
5 hours ago
3 min read

In recent weeks, I have witnessed a number of posts debating the concept of the Strategic Executive Assistant. Many of these comments quite rightly point out that not every EA will operate at this level, just as not every manager, leader, or specialist contributes strategically in their role. That is a fair and sensible observation.

However, alongside this acknowledgement sits a recurring issue: a basic misunderstanding of what strategic actually means in the context of the Executive Assistant profession.

Too often, the conversation assumes that being strategic means stepping into formal leadership, managing corporate strategy, or attempting to perform the role of a Chief Operating Officer or Chief of Staff. In reality, that is not what the Strategic EA role is about at all.

What Being Strategic Really Means for an EA

A Strategic Executive Assistant is not responsible for setting the organisation’s direction. Instead, they operate strategically by ensuring that the executive’s direction is successfully executed. Their role strengthens the effectiveness, influence, and decision-making capacity of the leader they support.

In practice, that includes:

Prioritising time and resources based on organisational goals, not personal preference.
Understanding the business sufficiently to make informed decisions about what matters most.
Anticipating challenges, risks, and opportunities before they arise.
Creating alignment, communication flow, and structure that enables the executive to lead at a higher level.
And yes, occasionally stepping in for their executive — but only when it is appropriate and in line with agreed authority.

Strategic EAs think beyond tasks; they think in terms of outcomes, impact, and value.

Not Everyone Will Be a Strategic EA — And That’s Okay

Just as every role has different levels of responsibility and influence, the EA profession spans a broad spectrum. Some roles are primarily administrative, others operational, and a growing number are strategic. Each is valid, each serves a purpose, and none is “better” than the other unless measured against the organisational need.

Claiming that all EAs are strategic would be inaccurate. Assuming that none should be strategic is equally misplaced.

Why This Conversation Matters

Organisations today demand more agility, clarity, and alignment than ever. Leaders cannot achieve this alone. They need support that helps them deliver results — not just manage tasks. A Strategic EA provides that support by acting as a trusted partner who understands both the business and the executive, helping to bridge priorities, sharpen focus, and enable better decisions.

This does not replace leadership; it strengthens it.

The Future of the EA Profession

The Strategic Executive Assistant is not a trend or a marketing phrase. It reflects a genuine evolution driven by organisational complexity, digital transformation, and increasing expectations of executive performance. It is a role defined by thinking, not by title.

Not every EA will choose, or be required, to operate strategically. But those who do will become essential partners in leadership success — not because they lead the business, but because they help leaders lead it more effectively.

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About the Author: Richard Arnott, BA, FInstAM, FIToL, is a Director of BMTG (UK) Ltd, and the author and lead presenter of the ground-breaking, globally recognised Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant: ACEA® program. Richard also sits on the editorial board of Lucy Brazier OBE's Executive Support Magazine.