Executive Assistants have been innovating and evolving for years, impacting businesses through technology, hiring practices, culture, company structure, and so much more. And it’s only the beginning. Let’s take a look at some of the emerging trends in the administrative realm that will likely impact the role in the coming years.
What does the future of Executive Assistants look like?
In our recent Base Live panel, three assistant change leaders shared all the ways EAs can innovate and future-proof their roles in an evolving workforce:
- Jenna Miller – Chief of Staff at Betterworks
- Lynn Walder – Executive Operations Scaling Consultant and founder of Executive Management Partners
- Naomi White – Senior Executive Assistant at Cohere
Watch the full video below or keep reading for the highlights from the conversation!
3 trends that are reshaping the Executive Assistant role
Here are the three biggest takeaways from our panel discussion. Got any to add? Join our Executive Assistant Community and share with assistants across the globe who are learning from one another and shaping the future of the EA role every day.
Increased use of technology 🧑💻
As most business leaders focus on running their company at a strategic level, they often don’t have the time to learn about new technology. This is where assistants come in — with a unique opportunity to become catalysts for change within their organization. They can take on the role of learners, communicators, trainers, and even integrators of these new technologies. By becoming an expert in a specific area, assistants can have a powerful influence on their organization’s use of technology and ultimately impact the bottom line.
With technology constantly advancing, businesses are increasingly in need of speed and efficiency. Assistants who embrace these advancements rather than fear them will be in a strong position to expand their impact. Additionally, technology provides assistants with the opportunity to streamline administrative work such as writing executive summaries and finding event locations, giving them more time to focus on strategic initiatives and become more forward-thinking. Overall, by mastering new technologies and utilizing them to optimize their work, Executive Assistants can become key players in shaping the future of their organization.
Updated titles ⭐️
We know the role of Executive Assistants has evolved significantly over the years. Just as Secretaries transitioned to Executive Assistants, a new trend is on the rise, where EAs are taking on titles that reflect how their support goes beyond supporting C-suite executives. These new titles, such as Chief of Staff, Executive Administration, Executive Operations, and Business Administration, reflect a broader business impact and open doors for assistants to support and own resources across organizations as a whole.
By taking on these new titles, Executive Assistants can have a clearer and greater impact on their organization’s success. They have the opportunity to drive change, streamline processes, and create efficiencies that benefit the company as a whole. As these new roles continue to emerge and shift, Executive Assistants will have the opportunity to grow and develop their careers in exciting new ways, becoming essential players in the success of their organization.
Bigger integration and impact 🏔️
While many current Executive Assistants started their careers supporting one or two executive leaders, the role is now expanding to include a more significant organizational impact. Assistants are moving from behind the scenes to the forefront, becoming the conductors that stitch the company together. This shift highlights the importance of Executive Assistants in ensuring a company’s success, and organizations are recognizing the crucial role they play in driving business forward.
Lynn’s Executive Operations Cohort Model is a great example of this. When Executive Assistants are integrated as their own department at the core of organizations, they can have much bigger influence. Their close proximity to business leaders and intimate knowledge of the company’s inner workings gives them a unique perspective and the ability to contribute to decision-making processes. This can lead to not only increased job satisfaction and increased ownership, but also results in better outcomes for the organization as a whole.
Overall, by recognizing the critical role that Executive Assistants play in driving business success, companies can reap the benefits of a more engaged, skilled, and invested workforce.
Step confidently into the modern workforce
Base’s technology, development workshops, and community are designed to equip Executive Assistants with the tools and skills required to thrive in the modern workforce. Sound interesting?
