Change is the only constant, and the pace at which the market evolves, innovation progresses, and global dynamics shift is astounding. In this context, the role of CXOs has become incredibly versatile. In simple terms, they are responsible for almost everything happening around them. With AI's advent, which has the potential to automate nearly everything, the landscape is transforming rapidly.
As Executive Assistants (EAs) working closely with the company's drivers and direction-givers, we are directly exposed to these changes. Our role has transcended beyond merely organizing schedules and ensuring everything is well-managed. Today, EAs are seen as the alter egos of their bosses. Gone are the days of a laid-back attitude; now, we are expected to have a strategic mindset, preparing reports with a top-down approach and contributing to optimizing processes.
EAs are now strategic partners, empowered and entrusted with significant responsibilities. This shift is driven by the automation of routine tasks and the abundance of data. The key is how we perceive and utilize this data. CXOs seek EAs willing to share their loads, guiding us but also giving us unprecedented opportunities to contribute. How cool is that?
However, with great power comes great responsibility. What does this mean for our role? Let’s take managing a calendar as an example. It’s no longer just about booking meetings. We need to step up and analyze how much time is spent on:
Sustaining current processes
Evolving existing methods
Innovating new and different approaches
We must dive deep into their calendars, preparing reports to reveal trends. This analysis can show how their time is split, highlighting the current versus desired allocation. Understanding how much time is spent on ad hoc versus preplanned meetings can lead to more efficient planning.
Data insights from calendar analysis can provide valuable information on how time is utilized across different management levels. For instance, were middle management needs overlooked? Was adequate time allocated to senior leadership teams? Did new teams require time but didn’t receive it? These insights, combined with current data mining tools, enable us to save their time – the most valuable resource with the highest monetary value.
In my experience, working closely with CXOs has made me more mature and changed my perspective. They seek business managers with an EA’s skills, blending strategy with a top-down approach. They are looking for representatives, not just assistants, who bring involvement, ideas, and perception. This opportunity to contribute at such a strategic level was never available before.
CXOs are looking for EAs willing to go beyond the traditional role. As EAs, we should be the first to seize this opportunity, grow into our roles, and set new benchmarks. The current technological advancements provide the perfect platform for us to step up and support our leaders in ways previously unimaginable. Let's embrace this evolution and redefine what it means to be an Executive Assistant.
Comments