Why Your CEO Needs You in the Room (and How to Get There)

“In modern organisations, the EA is no longer just an administrative resource — you’re expected to be a strategic asset.”

This shift in expectation isn’t about doing more — it’s about operating at a higher level. The very best Executive Assistants (EAs) are no longer defined by how many meetings they schedule or how well they manage a diary. They’re measured by the value they add to strategic decisions, stakeholder relationships, and execution across the business.

Yet many EAs still find themselves just outside the room when critical conversations are taking place — waiting for decisions, chasing updates, or working from second-hand summaries.

It’s time to change that.

Being in the room — physically or virtually — isn’t about ego or visibility. It’s about ensuring that the person your executive trusts the most is present, informed, and activated at the very point where decisions are made.

Why You Belong in the Room

1. You’re Already Operating at a Strategic Level

You’re managing more than tasks — you’re managing priorities, personalities, and pressure. You often know:- What matters most to your executive.- How decisions in one area affect others.- Who’s truly aligned (and who isn’t).When you’re in the room, you hear the nuances behind decisions. You can respond instantly to shifting priorities, and act as a continuity thread across meetings, projects, and departments.

2. You Turn Conversations into Concrete Action

Decisions are easy to make in a boardroom. Executing them is where the real work happens.When you’re present during discussions:- You catch actions as they emerge — not after the fact.- You clarify what’s expected of whom.- You start coordinating execution before the meeting has even ended.You eliminate delay, confusion, and duplication — and ensure your executive looks efficient, responsive, and in control.

3. You Filter and Protect

One of your most critical roles is protecting your executive’s focus — not just their time.By being in the room, you can:- Recognise when someone is overloading or derailing a conversation.- Step in post-meeting to filter out noise.- Help your executive debrief and refocus immediately.Your presence means they can rely on someone they trust to listen for what matters and support smart, well-informed decision-making.

4. You Bridge Departments, Personalities and Politics

You see more of the organisation than most people in the C-suite. You work across functions, understand personalities, and sense the political undercurrents others miss.That gives you an edge.You can:- Connect dots between seemingly unrelated issues.- Flag interpersonal risks early.- Ensure alignment across silos.Your input, even if silent in the meeting, influences how smoothly ideas move from discussion to delivery.

5. You’re Trusted — And That’s Power

EAs are often the only person an executive can truly speak openly with. That trust is earned through years of consistency, confidentiality, and good judgement.Being in the room allows you to:- Understand the full context of conversations.- Act as a sounding board after tough decisions.- Raise quiet concerns others won’t.You’re not a bystander. You’re a confidant, a filter, and often, the person who helps the CEO sleep at night knowing someone competent is watching the details.

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How to Get in the Room — And Stay There

Being ‘in the room’ isn’t about a job title or hierarchy. It’s about value. If you’re ready to contribute strategically, here’s how to take that step:

A. Make the Case Professionally

Your executive may not have considered the benefit of your presence. Frame your request as a way to serve them more effectively.“I’d like to attend the [X] meeting to better support you with follow-up and ensure we're aligned on priorities. I think it will help speed up implementation and avoid misunderstandings.”Keep the focus on what it gives them — not what it gives you.

B. Start Small, Then Scale

Don’t ask to attend everything immediately. Pick one or two meetings where your input would clearly benefit follow-up, communication, or planning.Prove your value:- Arrive prepared.- Stay professional and discreet.- Deliver a clear, actionable summary within an hour.The goal is to become indispensable — not intrusive.

C. Be Present, Not Dominant

Being in the room doesn’t mean leading the room. You’re there to:- Listen deeply.- Absorb context.- Identify key actions and implications.Contribute only if asked or if something crucial has been missed. Let your post-meeting follow-through speak louder than any in-meeting contribution.

D. Document, Translate, and Act

After the meeting, don’t just share a transcript. Share:- Key decisions.- Assigned actions.- Unspoken dynamics (tension, hesitations, unvoiced concerns). This kind of strategic summary sets you apart — and earns your continued seat at the table.

E. Build the Knowledge to Match the Role

To truly thrive in these spaces, you need more than instinct — you need insight.That means sharpening your business acumen, understanding strategic priorities, and being confident enough to decode the language of the boardroom. Investing in the right training and development isn’t a luxury — it’s part of stepping up to this more senior, strategic version of the EA role. When you speak the language of business, your seat at the table feels natural — not negotiated.

Final Thought

The Executive Assistant of the past managed calendars and travel. The Executive Assistant of today manages context, execution, and reputation. Being in the room isn’t about chasing visibility. It’s about delivering value when it matters most.You don’t need permission to start acting strategically — just proof. Demonstrate impact, earn trust, and the invitation will follow. And when it does, don’t hesitate. You belong there.Your executive may not say it — but they need you in the room. So walk in confidently. You’re not just supporting leadership. You are leadership!

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About the Author: Richard Arnott, BA, FInatAM, FIToL, is a Director of BMTG (UK) Ltd, and the author and lead presenter of the groundbreaking, 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.

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