In my role as a Director, IQA and Assessor at Lewis College, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented students, many of whom are already working as Executive Assistants or are looking to step into more senior positions. One of the most important skills I see come up time and again is team leadership.

When people think about leadership, they often picture a manager with a team reporting directly to them. But leadership goes far beyond job titles. In fact, many of the best examples of leadership I’ve seen have come from Executive Assistants and these professionals who are leading without formal authority.

EAs are often the ones who:
✨ Motivate colleagues across departments to meet deadlines.
✨ Chair project meetings and ensure actions are followed through.
✨ Influence upwards, sideways and across teams to get things done.
✨ Guide others through change – whether it’s a new system rollout, an office move or a new executive joining the business.

Strong team leadership is not about control, it’s about influence, communication and adaptability. Knowing when to be directive, when to listen and when to coach are skills every EA needs to master.

From my own experience leading teams, I know that effective leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, it’s about creating the conditions for people to succeed and carry out their jobs roles effectively whilst feeling listened to, valued and are part of a team.

That’s exactly what Executive Assistants do every day when they act as a true strategic partner to their executives.

So if you’re an EA (or aspiring to be one), don’t underestimate your leadership potential. Even if you don’t have “manager” in your job title, the ability to motivate, influence and guide others is one of the most valuable skills you can bring to your role and one that will take your career to the next level.

At Lewis College, our Executive Assistant Diploma covers leadership skills, alongside managerial administration, project management, and strategic support, helping you grow from assistant to business partner.