Seeing Executive Assistants as decision support partners

Jeremy Burrows has spent the last several years shaping the way executives think about working with executive assistants. He’s an international speaker, bestselling author of The Leader Assistant, founder of The Leader Assistant Academy, and host of the top-ranked The Leader Assistant Podcast, which has been downloaded over 1,000,000 times.

Jeremy is Senior Executive Assistant to the founder and CEO of Capacity, a support automation platform that uses AI to cut support costs and improve efficiency. In this role, he continues to advocate for EAs as strategic partners who provide decision support, not just task management.

In this interview, Jeremy shares his perspective on what makes an EA exceptional, how executives can get the most out of their partnership with an EA, and how the EA role might evolve in the age of AI.

Table of contents:

1. What makes an exceptional executive assistant stand out from other EAs?
2. Why is decision support so important for executives?
3. Which advice would you give an executive working with an EA for the first time?
4. What’s the most challenging part of being an EA to a busy executive?
5. How does your work have a direct, measurable impact on your executive’s success?
6. How will AI shape the executive assistant role in the next five years?
7. What’s the most common mistake executives make when working with their EAs?
8. What inspired you to create The Leader Assistant Academy and how is it helping EAs level up their skills?
9. Capacity has a scheduling tool called YouCanBookMe. What’s its advantage over others?
10. What’s one productivity habit you think every executive should adopt?

1. What makes an exceptional executive assistant stand out from other EAs?

An executive assistant stands out when they move beyond task management and become a strategic partner. It’s not just about managing calendars or booking flights. It’s about anticipating needs and connecting dots across the organization. For example, I’ve seen assistants transform an executive’s productivity by proactively reshaping meeting agendas, filtering out distractions, or even challenging assumptions. Those moments where the EA is thinking ahead, not just reacting, are what separate the average assistants from top executive assistants.**

2. Why is decision support so important for executives?

Many executives underestimate an EA’s influence. One overlooked area is decision support. Decision support is all about helping the executive filter information so they aren’t drowning in data. Once an EA curates priorities, aligns teams, and even drafts responses that reflect the executive’s voice, executives realize, “I’ll never go back to doing this alone.”

3. Which advice would you give an executive working with an EA for the first time?

Trust is everything. Give your assistant context, share your goals, and let them in on your thought process. The more EAs understand not just what you want, but why you want it, the better they can anticipate and act on your behalf. Think of your EA as your right-hand business partner.

4. What’s the most challenging part of being an EA to a busy executive?

The biggest challenge is managing constant context switching. One minute you’re troubleshooting a tech issue, the next you’re prepping a board deck, then you’re rearranging travel logistics mid-flight. Personally, I combat this by setting boundaries, using frameworks to prioritize what truly matters, and carving out time to recharge so I don’t burn out. I talk a lot about this in my book and podcast: EAs have to protect their own energy if they want to sustainably support their executive’s energy.

5. How does your work have a direct, measurable impact on your executive’s success?

In one of my previous roles, I restructured my executive’s calendar to better align with their energy peaks. Instead of cramming back-to-back meetings all day, I carved out blocks for deep work and decision-making. Within weeks, their stress dropped significantly, they closed a key deal faster, and the team noticed a more engaged, present leader. That wasn’t just a scheduling tweak; it was a ripple effect that impacted the business as a whole.

6. How will AI shape the executive assistant role in the next five years?

AI will automate a lot of repetitive tasks like travel booking, inbox management, and scheduling, but it won’t replace the relational, judgment-driven side of being an EA. In fact, as AI takes on the admin-heavy tasks, executive assistants will have more bandwidth to focus on strategy, leadership, and being a trusted advisor. The EA of the future will look less like an assistant and more like a leader.

7. What’s the most common mistake executives make when working with their EAs?

Underutilization. Too many executives only scratch the surface of what their assistants can do. They see them as task-takers instead of thought partners. When leaders don’t delegate enough or fail to provide context, they unintentionally stunt the value the EA could bring to the table.

8. What inspired you to create The Leader Assistant Academy, and how is it helping EAs level up their skills?

After years of trial and error as an EA, I realized there weren’t enough resources that combined the tactical with the strategic. That’s why I wrote The Leader Assistant and launched the Academy. It’s designed to equip assistants not just to survive, but to lead*:* whether that’s mastering tech tools, navigating executive dynamics, or building influence across the organization. It’s been incredible to see assistants grow in confidence and impact as they work through the Academy.

9. Capacity has a scheduling tool called YouCanBookMe. What’s its advantage over others?

I use YouCanBookMe by Capacity because it simplifies the back-and-forth of scheduling. Instead of endless email threads, executive assistants can share availability with clients and colleagues in a seamless, branded way. What I love most is its flexibility: we can customize buffers, meeting types, and send automated reminders. It’s saved me countless hours and reduced scheduling friction across the team.

10. What’s one productivity habit you think every executive should adopt?

Every executive should learn to protect their focus time. Distraction is the enemy of leadership. The best habit I’ve seen is blocking dedicated time for strategy and reflection. EAs play a critical role here: we’re the gatekeepers. We can defend those blocks, filter requests, and ensure the leader has the space to think clearly and lead well.

Are you ready to make better, faster decisions? Book a call today to get an EA who specializes in decision support and helps you lead with clarity.

Fadua Caicedo Díaz del Castillo

Fadua is a bilingual advertiser and holds a master’s degree in creative writing. With over ten years of experience, she has written countless advertising and social media campaigns, blogs, interviews, and everything in between. She writes about startups, the impact of executive assistants, and the stories behind their work. When she’s not writing, she is spending quality time with her husband and son, hiking, reading, or discovering new cafés.