Jodie Mears, career Assistant to C-Suite executives, explains how productivity is about showing the impact of what you already do best
For a long time, I thought productivity was about how much I could get through in a day. The full inbox read, filed, and tidied. The perfectly aligned calendar. The endless tasks that made me feel useful until I realised they were just that. Endless.
Real impact doesn’t always sit neatly in a task list, especially for today’s Assistants, who are juggling not just meetings and logistics, but influence, insight, and foresight.
The most effective Assistants I know aren’t just reacting to what’s in front of them, although that is still very much required throughout a busy working week. They’re solving problems, driving improvements, and contributing to the bigger picture. And that deserves a different kind of ROI.
From Active to Initiative
There’s a shift happening. Assistants are becoming operational contributors by spotting gaps, fixing inefficiencies, aligning stakeholders, and introducing ideas that shape business and personal outcomes. But that kind of contribution often goes unmeasured. Why? Because it isn’t about volume. It’s about initiative.
Instead of tracking everything you do, start tracking what changed because you did it. That’s your Return on Initiative.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- A meeting was cancelled because you resolved the issue early
- An automation that you set up saves 10 hours a month
- A thoughtful recommendation influenced a decision
- A process you redesigned now works smoothly
- A proactive conversation prevented a larger issue later
These aren’t tasks; they’re outcomes. And they reflect the thinking, adaptability, and business acumen that forward-looking organisations value most.
Making It Measurable
This is where many Assistants hesitate. For years, I relied on the assumption that good work would speak for itself. In reality, it’s up to us to connect the dots between our contributions and the results they drive.
To help with that, I developed a simple end-of-week practice called the 5-Minute Wins Tracker. Every Friday, I take a few minutes to reflect and capture 3 things:
- What did I solve this week?
- What did I improve or streamline?
- What would be useful for my executive to know?
I then translate those into one-line updates that highlight measurable outcomes aligned with business goals, not just completed tasks. These updates help shape weekly check-ins, performance conversations, and even self-assessments. Over time, they become a compelling record of value. It’s a small habit, but one that builds clarity, confidence, and credibility.
Why It Matters
If you want to be recognised as a strategic partner, you need to start showcasing strategic input, not just task volume. Executives care about outcomes. When you can link your actions to results, you’re not just supporting the business, you’re strengthening it.
More importantly, this approach changes how you see yourself. You stop waiting to be acknowledged and start leading with evidence.
Final Thought
Return on Initiative isn’t a buzzword or a “stretch goal.” It’s already part of how many Assistants operate, but what’s missing is how we talk about it.
By capturing and communicating the value you create, you elevate both your role and your reputation.
It’s not about doing more. It’s about showing the impact of what you already do best.
