Your Role Is Your ROI: Communicating the Value of Executive Assistants

The best CVs don’t just list what you do—they tell the story of what you’ve achieved. This distinction is vital because achievements speak to your value, the difference you make, and the results you deliver. For Executive Assistants (EAs), this approach can transform how others perceive your role. You’re not just ticking tasks off a list; you’re driving outcomes, creating efficiencies, and amplifying the effectiveness of leadership.

So how do you move from task-oriented explanations to communicating impact? The key lies in understanding your value, calculating your return on investment (ROI), and describing your contributions in terms of the broader impact you have on the organization.

Understanding Your Value

Executive Assistants are strategic enablers. Your work clears roadblocks, improves decision-making, and ensures leaders can focus on their highest priorities. To articulate your value, start by reflecting on the following:

1. What challenges do you solve? Think beyond logistics. Maybe you’ve optimized workflows, streamlined communication channels, or anticipated potential crises. These are strategic contributions that go beyond simple coordination.
2. How do you save time or money? If you’ve introduced tools, processes, or strategies that increased efficiency, you’ve delivered measurable ROI. For example, automating scheduling might save an executive 5-10 hours a week, translating into high-value time better spent on leadership initiatives.
3. How do you amplify results? Supporting a leader’s goals is about more than just taking notes or managing emails. You ensure projects stay on track, key stakeholders are engaged, and the vision of the leader is executed with precision.

Understanding Your ROI

The concept of ROI is often applied to financial investments, but it’s equally relevant to your role. Your organization invests in you, and the return on that investment can be quantified through:

• Time saved: Calculating the hours your efforts free up for others.
• Money saved: Identifying cost savings through improved processes, vendor negotiations, or resource allocation.
• Goals achieved: Demonstrating how your support directly contributes to the completion of strategic objectives.

For example: "By managing the CEO’s calendar and anticipating conflicts, I saved 15 hours a week, allowing them to focus on securing three key partnerships worth $2M in revenue."

Framing Your Work as an Impact Statement

When someone asks what you do, avoid defaulting to task lists like “I book meetings” or “I manage travel arrangements.” Instead, frame your response around the impact those tasks create.

For example:

• Instead of “I manage the executive’s calendar,” say: “I ensure the executive’s schedule aligns with their strategic priorities, optimizing their time for the most critical decisions.”
• Instead of “I handle travel arrangements,” say: “I design seamless travel plans that maximize productivity and minimize disruptions during business trips.”
• Instead of “I create reports,” say: “I deliver actionable insights through reports that drive informed decision-making.”

Shifting the Perception of Your Role

By focusing on impact, you not only elevate how others perceive your role but also reinforce your own confidence in your value. Executive Assistants are not just supporters; you’re strategic partners, operational experts, and enablers of success.

Start practicing this mindset by:

1. Tracking your achievements: Maintain a record of measurable outcomes you’ve contributed to, such as time saved, costs reduced, or projects accelerated.
2. Sharing your story: When asked about your role, focus on how you make an impact rather than listing tasks.
3. Advocating for yourself: Don’t shy away from highlighting your strategic contributions in meetings, appraisals, or informal conversations.

Your role as an Executive Assistant is not just important—it’s indispensable. The way you communicate your value shapes how others understand it. So, let your story reflect the truth: You are a catalyst for success, a guardian of priorities, and a driving force behind strategic outcomes.

Remember, it’s not about what you do; it’s about the difference you make.

Interested in becoming a Certified Executive Assistant?

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• London: 18th - 22nd Nov 2024 (Full)
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