Becoming a Business Partner-Style Executive Assistant

Within modern business, the role of an executive assistant has developed from a traditional secretarial position into a role of strategic collaboration, giving rise to the business partner-style executive assistant.

If you are interested in building your career as an Executive Assistant, we wrote this guide just for you! We explores the crucial responsibilities of a business partner EA and share actionable steps to develop the necessary skills for success.

Step 1: Understanding the Role

First things first, recognise and embrace that your role will be one that shifts from simply traditional administrative tasks to a proactive, anticipatory role. You will need to seek out transformation from a reactive support person to a strategic collaborator aligned with your executive and organisation’s goals.

Step 2: Strategic Planning and Decision Support

A strong EA actively participates in strategic planning sessions to align their efforts with organisational goals. You goal should be to leverage your knowledge to offer valuable insights and contribute to decision-making processes.

Our Development Tips:

Education: Enrol in workshops or online courses focused on strategic planning and decision-making.
Mentorship: Seek guidance from executives or professionals experienced in strategic roles to gain insights.
Networking: Attend industry events to broaden your understanding of strategic initiatives and decision-making processes.

Step 3: Effective Communication and Relationship Building

As a business partner EA, you should seek to become a communication linchpin, ensuring seamless information flow across departments and leadership. If you can excel in relationship building by connecting with internal and external stakeholders you will be able to foster collaboration and a positive organisational culture.

Our Development Tips:

Communication Training: Take courses or workshops to enhance verbal and written communication skills.
Networking Opportunities: Engage in networking events to practice and improve relationship-building abilities.
Shadowing: Observe effective communicators within your organisation and learn from their interactions.

Step 4: Project Management and Execution

As a business partner, you should be seeking out opportunities to develop your project management capabilities. Developing this skillset will support your executives in ensuring key initiatives align with their objectives. You will need to develop multitasking and prioritisation skills to meet deadlines and maintain project timelines.

Our Development Tips:

Project Management Courses: Enrol in project management courses to understand principles and methodologies.
Hands-On Experience: Volunteer for project-related tasks to gain practical experience.
Time Management Training: Develop time management skills through workshops or self-paced learning.

Step 5: Continuous Learning and Professional Development

As a business partner, you need to be invested in continuous learning and actively seeking out opportuntiies to broaden your knowledge. Actively seek opportunities for professional development to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the executive team.

Our Development Tips:

Online Learning Platforms: Utilise online platforms for continuous learning, focusing on industry trends and best practices.
Industry Certifications: Pursue relevant certifications to validate and enhance your knowledge.
Networking Groups: Join professional EA networking groups to stay informed about industry advancements

Step 6: Problem-Solving and Innovation

The biggest impact you will have as an Executive Assistant is all about your ability to problem solve. You should seek to proactively identify challenges and contribute to problem-solving by understanding the executive's vision. Champion innovation by suggesting and implementing process improvements to enhance overall efficiency.

Our Development Tips:

Critical Thinking Exercises: Engage in exercises or puzzles to enhance critical thinking skills.
Innovation Workshops: Attend workshops or seminars that focus on fostering innovation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with colleagues from different departments to gain diverse perspectives.

Not sure if your Executive and Organisation are recognising your contribution?

Here’s some tips to highlight how your role contributes to increased productivity and enhanced decision-making within the organisation.

Emphasise your role in cultivating a collaborative and forward-thinking corporate culture.
Start tracking the impact of your contributions on productivity and decision-making.
Seek feedback from executives and colleagues to understand the perceived benefits of your role.
Actively seek opportunities to improve and refine your skills based on feedback.