Mid-Year Review Questions That Actually Help You Move Forward
We’re halfway through the year. Which means it’s time to do something most people skip, delay, or rush through in 20 minutes: a real mid-year review. Not the kind where you glance at your Q1 goals, feel vaguely behind, and tell yourself you’ll make it up in Q3. The kind where you actually stop, look […]
The Executive Assistant Role Is More Strategic Than Ever — And the 2026 Data Finally Proves It
Two major reports dropped in April 2026 that every Force Multiplier, Executive Assistant, and administrative professional needs to read — and every Founder, leader, and HR professional who works alongside one should pay attention to as well. The Global Skills Matrix 2026 from the World Administrators Alliance and The 2026 State of the Administrative Profession […]
Your Competence Isn’t the Problem: Why Executive Assistant/Chief of Staff Success Has More to Do with Signal Literacy Than Skill by Kristine Valenzuela
Today’s guest post is from Kristine Valenzuela, a career Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, as well as the Founder of The Secret Executive. To learn more about Kristine and her work, visit The Secret Executive or follow her on LinkedIn! Everyone keeps encouraging Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff to get better at their […]
Training for Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, and Force Multipliers
These niche trainings will amplify and expand upon what you’ve learned in The Force Multiplier Academy. Haven’t joined The Force Multiplier Academy yet? Click here to learn more! The AI-Powered Assistant by Monique Helstrom Here’s the thing: executives don’t want to replace you with AI. They want you plus AI. That’s why Monique Helstrom teamed […]
Books for Executive Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, and Force Multipliers
A curated list of books for right-hand partners to entrepreneurial leaders. Check back often as I continue to add to this list! The Founder & The Force Multiplier (Second Edition) Author: Adam Hergenrother & Hallie Warner This is the essential read (yes, yes, we are biased) for Executive Assistants who want to strengthen their strategic […]
Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based Leadership for Right-Hand Partners by Diana Brandl
Today’s guest post is from Diana Brandl, Founder of The Socialista Projects and host of the Executive Office Insights podcast. To learn more about Diana and her work, visit The Socialista Projects or follow her on LinkedIn! Positive Psychology and Strengths-Based Leadership for Right-Hand Partners Force Multipliers (i.e. Chiefs of Staff, Executive Assistants, Executive Support professionals, […]
R-E-S-P-E-C-T | Find Out What It Means to Executive Assistants
There’s a lot of talk about how Executive Assistants and Force Multipliers should be “respected as strategic partners.” And while I agree with the sentiment (yes, respect is critical for a successful working partnership), it’s not something that shows up on day one just because you do. Respect is earned. It’s built. It’s given by […]
Should You Stay or Should You Go? Balancing Job Demands and Resources to Find the Right Career Fit
Feeling burned out or bored? Have you maxed out your earning potential or promotion opportunities? Or perhaps you’re considering a change but you’re unsure if the grass is really greener on the other side. When you’re trying to decide if you should stay or leave your job, of course, it’s important to consider salary, benefits, […]
Business Acumen for Executive Assistants: Why It Matters and How to Build It
When Executive Assistants and other Force Multipliers ask me how they can become a stronger strategic business partner to their Principal and leadership team, one of the first things we talk about is business acumen. And no, it’s not just a buzzword for CEOs or MBAs. Developing business acumen is one of the most effective […]
How Executive Assistants and Right-Hand Partners Build Social Capital
I get it. You’re wearing a lot of hats. Your calendar’s full, your inbox is overflowing, and your to-do list never seems to end. You’re busy! But here’s the truth: if you keep your head down for too long, just checking tasks off a list and staying in “doing” mode, you may be unintentionally limiting […]
Thinking About Partnering with an Entrepreneur? Read This First.
If you’re an Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, or Force Multiplier eyeing a role alongside a founder, entrepreneur, or small business owner, read this first. I’m a huge advocate for the power of strategic right-hand partnerships in entrepreneurial businesses. When the fit is right, this kind of role can be deeply fulfilling, dynamic, and wildly […]
What’s the Difference Between Business Administration and Business Operations?
Think we’re just talking semantics? Think again! In every successful business, two major forces are at play: business administration and business operations. While they’re deeply connected and often overlap, they’re not the same thing. I think it’s a topic worth exploring because those in Force Multiplier roles, like Executive Assistants and Chiefs of Staff, often […]
How to Align Your Work with Company and Leadership Goals
As you’re evaluating your job, considering your career growth, and determining how you want to make an impact this year, it’s important to align your work with company and leadership goals. If the company (and your Principal) are hitting their goals, that’s good for everyone. And, it can be much more rewarding for you when […]
Add These Books to Your 2025 TBR List
There are millions of books published every year. So many books and not enough time to read them all! I read about 110 books this year and I am hoping to help you weed through the sheer volume of great books out there by sharing some of my favorites from 2024. Remember, it’s important to […]
LinkedIn News 25 Big Ideas That Will Change Our World in 2025 – Force Multiplier Edition
LinkedIn News recently released their 25 Big Ideas report, sharing ideas they believe will change our world in 2025. As Force Multipliers, I think it’s important to read through the article and consider how these predictions may apply to your company, industry, and career opportunities. To get you started, take a look at how I […]
Not Just Support: Force Multipliers Taking the Lead on Career Change
Today’s guest post is from Katie Montbriand, Co-Founder & Storyteller, at Compass Rewire. To hear more from Katie, Compass Rewire Co-Founder, Samantha Mulcahy, and me, join us on Thursday December 12 at 12pm EST for a free webinar, More Than a Title: Building Identity Beyond Work. The past doesn’t have to dictate the future. At […]
The Executive Assistant Flex: Why Are EAs Expected to Flex “Up”, but Chiefs of Staff Never Flex “Down”?
Here’s something for you to think about this week: Why are Executive Assistants often expected to flex “up”, but Chiefs of Staff are never asked (and in fact, are usually encouraged not) to flex “down”? I mean, we hear it all the time: Chiefs of Staff (CoS) are “strategic” and “operational leaders,” while Executive Assistants […]
Executive Assistant Job Description
PLEASE NOTE – The sample job description below is certainly not exhaustive and simply serves as a jumping-off point for you to craft a job description that encompasses the work you do (or that you want a new Executive Assistant to do). Things to Consider When Creating an Executive Assistant Job Description Executive Assistants (EAs) […]
One Year Later: What I’ve Been Thinking About Since Quitting My Job
October has always been an important month in my career. In October 2010, I started working with Adam Hergenrother and was introduced to the wild and exciting world of real estate. In October 2013, I pitched the Chief of Staff role and “promoted” myself. And my second co-authored book was published in October 2023. One […]
Do You Have Any Questions for Me? 13 Questions to Ask During Your Next Interview
We’ve all been there before… you’ve landed an interview for a job that you’re really excited about. You’re meeting with the CEO to discuss their job opening for an Executive Business Partner. The interview is going really well. And then the CEO asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” And your mind goes blank. […]
21 Executive Assistant or Force Multiplier Interview Questions
You’re ready to hire an Executive Assistant. Congratulations and smart move! A great Executive Assistant is an invaluable asset, helping you clarify your thinking, organize and implement your projects and priorities, maximize your impact, and give you time back in your day to focus on what matters most to you. If you’re still debating whether […]
Delegate or Die – Why Entrepreneurs & Force Multipliers Must Start Delegating Today
It’s very rare that my husband and I find a TV series that we agree on. In our twenty years together, I can count on one hand the shows that we’ve actually sat down and watched together. They are, in no particular order, Turn: Washington Spies, Hunting Hitler, Outlander, Hell on Wheels, and The Last […]
The 4 Elements of a High-Impact Executive Assistant
Remember learning about the classical elements of nature in elementary school? Well, let me give you a quick refresher. The four elements, often referred to as the classical elements of nature, have been used in various philosophies and traditions to describe the fundamental components of the physical world. We can see the elements throughout ancient […]
How to Actually Take Time Off From Work (Without the Guilt)
Whether you are the Founder of your own company, a Senior Executive Assistant, or the Vice President of Operations – and whether you have three weeks of PTO, have a flexible work from home schedule, or have unlimited vacation and paid time off policy – I venture to guess that you may not be taking […]