Executive Assistant: What No One Tells You (But Makes All the Difference)

If you're starting out (or even if you’ve been working for a while) as an Executive Assistant, you've probably asked yourself: Are all EA jobs the same? What really defines my experience in this role?

Most people assume that being an assistant is all about repetitive tasks and basic organization. But the truth is far more nuanced. Your experience as an EA depends on three key factors — and you might be surprised which one matters most.

After working as an EA in different companies and supporting various managers, I’ve learned this simple truth:

The company: 30%

The job description: 20%

The person you support: 50%

Let’s break it down:

30% – The Company. The company culture, size, industry, and how much they value assistants will shape your experience. Are you included in key processes? Are your insights respected? Are EAs seen as strategic partners or task managers?

This matters — especially when choosing between a startup, a large corporation, or a more traditional firm.

20% – The Job Description. Yes, there are basic EA responsibilities: calendar management, meeting coordination, travel bookings… but how deep you go depends on the level of the role. The more senior the position, the more strategic the tasks: reporting, handling sensitive information, working with stakeholders, supporting business operations...(And let’s be honest: some tasks, like meeting minutes, can now be easily done with AI tools.)

50% – The Person You Support (Your Manager)

This is the factor no one talks about enough.

Your manager can completely make or break your experience as an EA. Trust, communication, and mutual respect are everything — and sometimes, the chemistry just isn’t there.

Let me share a real story.

Once supported a senior director at a major company. We got along, but there was no real connection. She didn’t delegate much, excluded me from key email threads, and I constantly felt like I was hitting a wall.

At an offsite dinner, she jokingly said that managing calendars was something “anyone could do.” When she noticed I heard her, she laughed it off and told me not to take it seriously.

I wasn’t offended — but I realized something important: she didn’t value my role, and probably never would.

Months later, she left the company. I started supporting a new manager who immediately trusted me with full visibility and control. I became the point of contact for everything, attended all meetings, and learned the business like never before.

I was energized, motivated… and a few months later, I was promoted.

The takeaway? Your manager shapes your EA experience

Your day-to-day, your growth, your visibility, and even your motivation depend largely on the relationship with your manager.

And while you can’t always choose your boss, you can learn to recognize the environments where you’re truly valued.

This is something that rarely gets discussed — but it matters more than you think. The company and tasks are important, but your manager is the game-changer.

Has something similar ever happened to you?

Send me a message on Instagram (@zaidamontes)