Influence is not given, it is claimed, explains Lucy Brazier
“Who has a one-on-one Executive Assistant these days?” ~ Callum Borchers, Wall Street Journal
That line, quoted from a 2023 Wall Street Journal article, stayed with me. It captures a sentiment we’ve heard repeated in many forms over the last decade: that Executive Assistants are becoming obsolete. That AI and automation are replacing the need for human support. That the role is diminishing.
But I have news for you. That narrative? It’s outdated.
Today, the administrative profession is not only alive and well – it’s evolving. Assistants are stepping out of the shadows, becoming strategic partners, and influencing decisions at the highest levels. And those who embrace this moment, who choose to lead themselves first, will be the ones shaping the future of our work.
Admittedly, there is a grain of truth in it. If your work is purely reactive and task-based, it can be automated. But for those of you who are in the more senior, strategic space, the role is not going anywhere.
The Real Future Is Now
Let’s be clear: the robots are coming. But they’re not here to replace you – they’re here to augment you.
Administrative professionals are already some of the fastest adopters of AI tools, according to LinkedIn and Microsoft. These tools are enhancing how we manage communication, data, scheduling, and decision-making support. It’s not autopilot – it’s co-pilot. You’re still the driver. AI just helps you get there faster.
In fact, 77% of businesses are now using or exploring AI technologies, and Assistants are right at the forefront of that revolution.
From meeting summaries and transcription to email prioritisation, document drafting, and workflow optimisation, AI is helping us take back time – time we can use for deeper thinking, stronger partnerships, and more strategic contributions.
And when that happens? Your influence expands. Fast.
Let’s Talk About Time
One of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of the Assistant’s role is time stewardship. Your job isn’t just to manage calendars – it’s to protect and maximise your executive’s most valuable asset: their time. Every minute you save them isn’t just a scheduling win – it’s a direct contribution to the organisation’s bottom line. Consider this: if your executive earns a six-figure salary, even a five-minute efficiency gain adds measurable financial value. When you shield their focus, streamline their day, and ensure they’re spending time on what matters most, you’re not just supporting them – you’re actively driving profitability. That’s not administration. That’s strategy.
The Strategic Pivot
According to LinkedIn, Assistants today are doing 30% more strategic work than they were just three years ago. That’s a seismic shift.
No longer confined to email management and travel bookings, you’re now leading initiatives, analysing data, managing projects, interpreting insights, and becoming the go-to for executive decision support.
You are not a “nice-to-have.” You are a critical part of how businesses function and succeed.
But here’s the catch: influence is not given, it’s claimed. And that requires self-leadership.
Self-Leadership Starts With Clarity
Self-leadership is the ability to take ownership of your growth, your influence, and your outcomes – regardless of your title or environment. And in a world where expectations are shifting, that kind of clarity is powerful.
So, what does it look like in practice?
It looks like:
- Understanding your executive’s strategic objectives and aligning your work to support them.
- Anticipating needs before they’re voiced.
- Creating systems and suggesting tech that improves performance.
- Taking initiative to learn – especially in areas like AI, project management, and strategic planning.
- Communicating with confidence, credibility, and consistency.
In short: it’s leading yourself so you can better lead alongside others.
The Global Skills Matrix: A Pathway to Progress
To support this shift, the World Administrators Alliance developed the Global Skills Matrix – a clear framework showing how Assistants can move from reactive to fully proactive roles.
The levels are as follows:
Level 1 – Reactive or returning to the workforce
Level 2 – Building capability but reactive and task-based
Level 3 – Leading and influencing, with a proactive mindset
Level 4 – Fully strategic and business-aligned
Wherever you currently sit on that spectrum, there is a path forward. Self-leadership means identifying where you are and actively working toward where you want to be.
AI: From Threat to Tool
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the fear that AI is here to take jobs.
I understand it. It’s real. But what if we flipped the narrative?
AI isn’t just about automating tasks. It’s about creating space – space for strategic thinking, better decision-making, and more meaningful collaboration.
In ASAP’s newly published State of the Profession Report 2025, Assistants named AI for workflow optimisation and AI for writing/research as the top two skills they want to develop.
Why? Because they understand what’s at stake. Mastering these tools isn’t optional – it’s a gateway to greater relevance, visibility, and value.
When you’re AI-literate, you stop being seen as support – and start being seen as indispensable.
Influence Is Impact
Let’s be honest: Assistants have always had influence. But now, the spotlight is shifting. The world is starting to see what many of us have known for decades – you are the quiet force behind effective leadership.
But with greater visibility comes a greater responsibility to lead with impact.
And that impact doesn’t come from knowing every shortcut in Outlook. It comes from:
- Confidence in your voice and decisions
- Clarity in how you communicate and present ideas
- Credibility built through accuracy, consistency, and integrity
- Connection – your ability to influence at every level of the organisation
And AI helps us get there faster.
McKinsey research shows that employees spend nearly 20% of their time just searching for information. AI can cut that time in half. Imagine what you – and your executives – could achieve with that reclaimed bandwidth.
In fact, 87% of executives say their Assistant’s strategic input directly boosts their productivity. That’s not just useful. That’s transformative.
From Assistant to Influencer
So, what does it look like to lead yourself as a strategic influencer?
It looks like knowing your value and communicating it.
It looks like being proactive, not reactive.
It looks like offering solutions, not just executing tasks.
It looks like saying: “Here’s how we can work smarter.” Not: “What would you like me to do next?”
It looks like leaning into the very technologies some fear – because you know how to use them as tools for greater connection, not disconnection.
It looks like investing in your own learning, staying curious, and building resilience for what’s next.
It’s not about tech. It’s about impact.
The Choice Is Yours
Administrative Professionals Month reminds us of the vital role you play every single day. But this month isn’t just about celebration – it’s about evolution.
This profession is changing. And it’s doing so because we are changing it.
So I invite you to ask yourself:
- Where am I right now in my career journey?
- How could I increase my influence – both internally and externally?
- What one skill could I develop that would unlock more time, more trust, or more value?
- What would leading myself, fully and unapologetically, look like?
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about waiting for permission. It’s about stepping into the role you already know you’re capable of.
If you’re ready to lead, to influence, and to thrive in this new chapter, you’re exactly where you need to be.
