If you’ve ever had an executive ask, “What can you do for me?” you’re not alone. Many assistants hear this question early in their role, and even years in, some still feel underutilized; stuck in a reactive, task-based role instead of a true strategic partnership.

The good news? It’s never too early or too late to reset your partnership. Whether you’re starting fresh or have been working together for years, you can shift the dynamic and create an impactful, results-driven collaboration.

The key is understanding the What, Why, and How of executive success—and your role in making it happen.

WHAT

What is the executive spending their time on?

Every executive has a handful of activities that drive the biggest results. These are their High-Value Activities (HVAs)—the things only they can do based on the requirements of their role and their unique skills and abilities.

But if you look at their calendar, how much time is actually spent doing those things?

Most executives are buried in low-value tasks—endless meetings, email management, and logistical work. That’s where you come in. Your job isn’t just to take things off their plate—it’s to protect their time so they can focus on the work that moves the business forward.

Reset Tip:

If you’ve been in your role for a while and feel like your executive isn’t fully utilizing you, schedule a reset conversation and ask:

• What are your top 3-5 High Value Activities?
• How much time are you actually spending on them?
• What’s pulling you away from that focus?

This simple shift reframes your role—you’re not just helping with tasks; you’re helping them spend their time where it matters most.

WHY

Why is it so important for them to spend time in their High Value Activities?

Every executive has an Executive Value Per Hour – not to be confused with their hourly rate. If they’re responsible for a $20M revenue goal, their time is worth thousands of dollars per hour.

Yet, they often spend countless hours sitting in meetings that could be emails, rescheduling calls, or handling minor tasks they shouldn’t be touching at all.

Reset Tip:

Want to reframe how your executive sees your role? Introduce the concept of their Value Per Hour.

Ask them:
With your Executive Value Per Hour in mind, which meetings are you going to keep, decline or delegate moving forward?

When executives quantify their time, they begin to understand why delegating properly isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity.

HOW

How are they focusing on their High Value Activities and fully maximizing their Executive Value Per Hour? You are the one making it all happen!

Understanding what an executive should focus on and why their time is valuable is just the beginning. They need a system to execute—and that system is you.

Your role isn’t just about support—it’s about leadership. You are the How in your executive’s success equation. Your impact comes from:

• Protecting their time – Scheduling around HVAs, not over them
• Filtering their priorities – Keeping distractions out and surfacing what truly requires their attention
• Anticipating needs – Identifying problems before they become bottlenecks

Reset Tip:

Even if you’ve been in your role for years, you can still level up your partnership by taking ownership in these areas:

• Calendar Management: Instead of just scheduling meetings, proactively shape their time around their High Value Activities
• Inbox & Communication Control: Manage incoming requests and filter what truly requires their attention.
• Proactive Delegation: Look for repetitive tasks and own them completely so they never have to touch them again.

Executives need someone who doesn’t just wait for instructions but builds systems that keep them focused on their most valuable work.

It’s Never Too Late (or Too Early) to Reset Your Partnership

Whether you’re new to your role or have been working with the same executive for years, you can always reset and elevate your partnership.

For New Assistants:

If you’re just starting, set the foundation early by leading conversations around HVAs and priorities.

For Experienced Assistants:

If your partnership feels stagnant or transactional, schedule a reset conversation and say:
“I’d love to realign your priorities so I can support you more effectively. Let’s look at your HVAs and see where I can free up more of your time.”

For Executives Who Struggle to Delegate:

Some leaders are so used to doing everything themselves that they struggle to let go. Help them see delegation as an investment in their success.

• Show them their Value Per Hour
• Prove your ability to own and optimize tasks
• Build trust by delivering quick wins

The best assistant-executive partnerships aren’t static—they evolve over time. The key is taking ownership of the reset.

Your Executive’s Goals = Your Goals. Start the Reset Today.

At the end of the day, their success is your success. When you:

• Align with their High-Value Activities
• Help them understand their Value Per Hour
• Implement the strategies that keep them focused

…you stop being just an assistant—you become an irreplaceable strategic partner.