You’ve scaled teams, led complex deals, and made decisions that shape your industry.
So when it comes time to hire an executive assistant, it’s easy to think, “How hard can it be to find someone good?”
We asked our LinkedIn community to weigh in on the biggest misconception about EAs. With over 200 responses, one belief stood out: “Anyone could do it.”
It’s a sentiment we hear often from our team and from clients who haven’t yet worked with a high-level EA.
But if you’ve partnered with a premium executive assistant, you know the opposite is true.
These professionals make high-level support look effortless while managing complex calendars, sensitive communications, and shifting priorities behind the scenes.
Here’s the reality: if you’ve never worked with a C-level EA, chances are you’ve underestimated the role. And that misunderstanding is costing you lost time, missed opportunities, and the friction of trying to do it all yourself.
Why “Anyone Could Do It” Is So Dangerous
Here’s the thing about successful executives: you’re capable.
You can learn new systems, adapt to challenges, and figure things out quickly. On the surface, executive assistant tasks can look simple.
After all, it’s “just” email management, scheduling, travel coordination… isn’t it? You’ve probably done a bit of these yourself in various roles and to varying degrees.
Premium executive assistants are different. Thinking anyone could be a high-level EA is like saying anyone could be an architect because they’ve used a ruler.
They have more than surface-level skills. Typing speed doesn’t matter, and ancient office software skills aren’t the key.
Judgment matters. Intuition counts. Thinking about your time and priorities makes the difference.
When leaders believe “anyone” could fill an EA role, they end up with assistants who:
- Wait for detailed instructions instead of anticipating needs
- Handle tasks without understanding the bigger picture
- React to problems instead of preventing them
- Require constant oversight and course correction
This means you spend more time managing your assistant than you would have spent doing the work yourself.
What It Actually Takes: The Reality Behind Premium EA Work
Let’s talk about what really makes premium executive assistants stand out.
Experience That Matters
Fortune 500 companies don’t hire executive assistants with 6 months of experience. They look for professionals with 5–15+ years of direct C-suite support experience. Because at that level, there’s no time for training and EAs need to hit the ground running.
These are seasoned professionals who’ve spent years learning to read between the lines. They handle complex company dynamics. They make split-second decisions that protect their executive’s time, reputation, and more.
This is one reason Boldly specifically hires career EAs — we don’t look for people who have sent emails or scheduled meetings. We want individuals who have built their professional lives around this role.
High-Stakes Decision Making
Premium executive assistants make independent decisions that directly impact business outcomes. They don’t just follow orders!
They use wise judgment and hard-won experience to:
- Reschedule high-impact meetings when they sense their executive is overloaded
- Filter sensitive information and decide what requires immediate attention versus what can wait
- Negotiate meeting times and locations based on dynamics that work for your company
- Handle crisis situations and urgent requests without needing to interrupt their executive
This level of understanding can’t be taught in a training manual. It’s developed through years of working with high-level executives. They learn to read the subtle cues that show priority, urgency, and context.
The Technical Skills Gap
Think setting up a meeting is simple? Try coordinating schedules for five C-suite executives across different time zones. Each has complex travel schedules, varying levels of authority, and different communication preferences.
Premium executive assistants go far beyond basic calendar apps.
They’re proficient in:
- Advanced project management platforms like Asana, Monday.com, and ClickUp
- Complex CRM systems for relationship management
- Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace at an expert level
- Remote communication platforms with the ability to troubleshoot technical issues on the fly
They know when and how to use AI tools — and how to evaluate AI outputs.
But more importantly, they know which tool to use when. Workflows get customized for you, and your working style gets matched.
The Mindset Difference: Reactive vs. Proactive
Here’s where the “anyone could do it” misconception really falls apart.
A run-of-the-mill assistant follows your instructions. They do what you tell them to do, when you tell them to do it, and they let you know if there are problems.
A premium executive assistant anticipates your needs before you even realize you have them.
Travel booking is just the start. Your premium assistant researches options and coordinates with your calendar. Transportation gets arranged. Backup plans get prepared. You don’t need to ask because your assistant already knows what you’ll need.
They don’t just manage your inbox. Messages get prioritized based on your goals. Responses get drafted in your style. Filtering happens automatically so only the most important items reach your desk.
This makes all the difference. Your assistant becomes a business partner instead of just a “task completer.”
Why Premium EAs Deliver Leadership Support, Not Just Admin Work
People believe “anyone could do it” for one reason: They see executive assistants as administrative support only. But premium EAs provide something different: leadership support.
They build relationships with your clients and team members. They represent your personal and company brand professionally in every interaction. Recommendations come naturally with better tools, improved systems, and smarter processes.
With a premium EA, your entire operation gets an upgrade.
Most importantly, they help you become more proactive as a leader. No more reacting to looming deadlines or scrambling when projects go off track. They keep you ahead of the game.
As one CEO put it: “I was able to increase my productivity easily by 15–20% when I brought my Boldly executive assistant on board; she saved me that much time.”
That’s not the result of hiring “anyone.” That’s the result of smart investing. You hire someone who understands their real job. They give you back your power to scale, plan ahead, and forecast.
The Real Cost of the “Anyone Could Do It” Mentality
When you hire based on the assumption that anyone could do the job, you typically end up with:
- Higher turnover rates as assistants realize they’re in over their heads
- Constant training and retraining cycles that eat into your productivity
- Missed opportunities because important details slip through the cracks
- Damaged relationships when your assistant can’t handle complex business dynamics
- Your valuable time spent teaching instead of leading
The real cost goes beyond salary. You miss revenue opportunities. Growth gets delayed. Task management replaces leadership time.
What Premium Really Means
Premium executive assistants are more valuable than a because they deliver outcomes, not just completed tasks.
They save you time because you don’t have to micromanage them. You can give them a general outcome you want achieved. They’ll figure out how to make it happen—often better than you would have done it yourself.
They enhance results over time because of their expertise and experience. They don’t just complete your projects… They improve your entire operation.
At Boldly, we get tens of thousands of applications for executive assistant positions. Our team has serious experience. Fortune 500 companies trained them. C-suite executives trusted them. High-level performance is proven.
Because when it comes to executive support, not everyone can do it. Executives who get this difference see amazing results.
You get:
- Support from experienced professionals who understand high-level business dynamics
- Quick startup time since you don’t need to train someone from scratch
- Proactive problem-solving that prevents issues before they impact your schedule
- Strategic thinking that aligns with your business goals and priorities
If you’re ready to experience what premium executive assistance actually looks like, we’d love to show you. Contact us today, and let’s find you someone who doesn’t just complete tasks, but transforms how you work.
