The Executive - EA Relationship: Why Some Partnerships Flourish... and Others Falter

Executive Summary

In high-performance organizations, the relationship between an executive and their executive assistant (EA) can be the single most influential partnership in determining efficiency, focus, and leadership effectiveness. When it works, it’s transformative, creating leverage, clarity, and organizational momentum. When it fails, it’s costly, disruptive, and draining for both sides.

This paper explores real-world cases, published analyses, and observed behaviors behind both outcomes, and offers practical guidance for building a high-trust, high-impact partnership.

1. The Power of the Executive–EA Partnership

Modern EAs are no longer task managers; they are strategic enablers. Research and practice consistently show that executives who leverage their assistants as business partners – not just administrators – gain more time, better focus, and stronger execution alignment.

According to Harvard Business Review, the best EAs 'reshape executives’ workflows and take more responsibility.' A BaseHQ study found that executives with strong EA relationships report up to a 20-25% increase in productivity and fewer priority conflicts. Conversely, as one CEO interviewed by MacKay CEO Forums admitted, 'He had neglected to set priorities to focus the assistant’s work,' leading to three failed partnerships in three years.

2. When the Relationship Works: Key Success Factors

Across studies and case examples, several recurring enablers appear when the relationship flourishes:

Example: A long-term EA – CEO partnership (LinkedIn, Sean Magennis) thrived for more than a decade through mutual trust, shared values, and continuous feedback.

3. When It Breaks Down: Common Failure Patterns

Failures typically stem not from incompetence, but from misalignment, misunderstanding, and neglect of the partnership itself.

Example: In one coaching case (PointView Coaching), an underperforming executive-assistant pair turned around their partnership through structured communication and realigned expectations, demonstrating that repair is possible.

4. The Strategic Implications for Organizations

An executive – EA relationship is a microcosm of organizational alignment. Where it fails, inefficiencies ripple outward: duplicated effort, missed opportunities, and executive burnout. Where it succeeds, the assistant becomes a force multiplier for leadership impact.

As Professional Executive Associates has observed across multiple clients, the success of this relationship depends on a clear operating rhythm, documented processes, and mutual accountability, elements PEAS helps executives implement through structured onboarding and executive enablement frameworks.

5. How to Build a High-Trust, High-Performance EA Partnership

PEAS recommendations:

• Set clear success metrics – define what 'great support' looks like.
• Schedule regular strategy syncs – align tasks to strategic priorities weekly.
• Give your EA visibility – include them in relevant meetings and communications.
• Invest in tools and training – support your EA’s development and systems mastery.
• Treat the EA as your operating partner – not just a gatekeeper.

Conclusion

Executives and EAs succeed together, or fail together. The partnership thrives when both understand the other’s pressures, strengths, and intent. In an era where leadership time is the scarcest resource, this relationship may be the most valuable - and overlooked - strategic asset an organization can cultivate.

At Professional Executive Associates, we believe the right partnership between an executive and their EA doesn’t just save time, it transforms it into forward motion.

Interested in learning how Professional Executive Associates can strengthen your executive–EA structure? Connect with us at https://www.yourpeas.com/contact.