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10 Essential Books For Executive Assistants Preparing For The Future

Leo Migdal
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10 essential books for executive assistants preparing for the future

1. ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel RuizA timeless guide for personal growth and professional resilience, teaching principles that are vital for self-awareness and relationship management.2. ‘The New Executive Assistant: Exceptional Executive Office Management’ by Jonathan McIlroyA comprehensive resource for mastering the evolving expectations of the modern EA role, with a focus on strategy and leadership.3. ‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’ by Cal NewportEssential for learning how to thrive in an environment that demands focus, productivity, and the ability to filter noise in high-pressure situations.4. ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James ClearThis book is a game-changer for creating small but impactful habits that can help you stay disciplined,... ‘Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World’ by David EpsteinEncourages a broad skill set and adaptable mindset, which are increasingly important as the EA role becomes more dynamic and multifaceted.6.

‘Crucial Conversations’ by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al SwitzlerThe quality of your dialogues and conversations can affect how you are seen. Here’s how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations.7. ‘Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t’ by Simon SinekAn insightful read on how great leaders create an environment of trust and collaboration, which EAs can emulate to build strong... ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’ by Robert CialdiniA guide to mastering the art of influence, negotiation, and persuasion – key skills for any EA looking to make an impact.9. ‘AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order’ by Kai-Fu LeeUnderstanding AI is becoming essential for future-proofing your career, and this book offers valuable insights into its role in shaping business and... And of course, “The Modern-Day Assistant: Build Your Influence and Boost Your Potential” by Lucy BrazierWinner of the 2024 International Book Awards’ Career Book of the Year, this is a must-read for understanding the...

Enter your email address to subscribe to Lucy's Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We often hear that “your network is your net worth,” but the truth goes deeper. Your real network is made up of the people who show up when life gets hard, offer help without being asked, and remind you that you’re not alone. The Financial Times recently spotlighted Chiefs of Staff as “the invisible ones running the world’s biggest companies.” But for many in the administrative profession, that description feels familiar. Senior Executive Assistants have long operated at the intersection of strategy, communication, and leadership — often without the title or recognition. The rise of the Chief of Staff doesn’t replace the EA role; it expands the ecosystem of executive support, redefining partnership at the highest levels.

There are so many titles floating around our profession that I am loath to add yet another one, but one that keeps catching my attention is “Founder Associate.” It’s being used more and more... It should. But here’s the difference. A senior […] Founder & CEO, Executive Support Media | International Keynote Speaker & Trainer | Author of Career Book of the Year 2024 ‘The Modern-Day Assistant’ | Global Authority on the Administrative Profession | 55,000+ followers Here are 10 must-read books for EAs looking to position themselves for the future of the role.

1. ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz A timeless guide for personal growth and professional resilience, teaching principles that are vital for self-awareness and relationship management. 2. ‘The New Executive Assistant: Exceptional Executive Office Management’ by Jonathan McIlroy A comprehensive resource for mastering the evolving expectations of the modern EA role, with a focus on strategy and leadership. 3. ‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’ by Cal Newport Essential for learning how to thrive in an environment that demands focus, productivity, and the ability to filter noise in high-pressure...

4. ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James Clear This book is a game-changer for creating small but impactful habits that can help you stay... 5. ‘Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World’ by David Epstein Encourages a broad skill set and adaptable mindset, which are increasingly important as the EA role becomes more dynamic and multifaceted. 6. ‘Crucial Conversations’ by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler The quality of your dialogues and conversations can affect how you are seen.

Here’s how to instantly uplift your crucial conversations. 7. ‘Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t’ by Simon Sinek An insightful read on how great leaders create an environment of trust and collaboration, which EAs can emulate to build... 8. ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’ by Robert Cialdini A guide to mastering the art of influence, negotiation, and persuasion - key skills for any EA looking to make an impact. 9.

‘AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order’ by Kai-Fu Lee Understanding AI is becoming essential for future-proofing your career, and this book offers valuable insights into its role in shaping business... 10. And of course, “The Modern-Day Assistant: Build Your Influence and Boost Your Potential” by Lucy Brazier Winner of the 2024 International Book Awards’ Career Book of the Year, this is a must-read for understanding... These books provide a strong foundation for growth, adaptability, and leadership in the evolving EA profession. What’s on your 2025 reading list? Sr.

Executive Assistant | Personal Assistant Thank you, Lucy Brazier OBE! 🌺 'Atomic Habits' was recommended to me less than an hour ago, so now that I see it on your A-List, I will start with it! Happy New Year to you! Executive partner + force multiplier / podcast guest / mental health advocate / speaker & contributor Executive Assistants (EAs) looking to boost their careers and refine on-the-job skills can find everything they need and more in this carefully curated list of Executive Assistant books.

We classified the books according to the skills most critical to an Executive Assistant’s success. The Assist is a free, enjoyable weekly email offering actionable tips for career and professional development. It's like that reliable friend you turn to for work and life advice, sending advice 4x a week to problem-solving go-getters like yourself. Many of these books for Executive Assistants suggestions came straight from our Facebook group for Executive Assistants! See what nuggets of wisdom our community has to offer and jump into the conversation. For example, you could learn about new productivity tools like monday.com.

Test out the free trial period and see what you think! ✅ What Executive Assistants will take away: This book outlines four pillars—embody the characteristics, employ the tactics, engage in relationships, and exercise self-care—that will help you rediscover your passion for the profession and become... ⭐ Review: Here’s what Peggy Grande (Former EA to President Ronald Reagan) had to say about Jeremy’s book: The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to prepare for a prosperous new year than by leveling up your career with some inspiring reads? Whether you're making your own wish list or searching for thoughtful gift ideas for the executive assistants in your life, we've got you covered. This curated list features recommendations from our trusted partners—leaders and advocates in the administrative profession.

They handpicked each book to provide tools, insights, and strategies to help executive assistants thrive, lead, and grow. From mastering habits to becoming a strategic partner, these books are perfect companions for EAs looking to elevate their game. “I highly recommend James Clear’s Atomic Habits. While this book isn’t written specifically for executive assistants, it touches on a theme I consistently cover when working with my clients… Creating impactful change through the power of small, consistent actions. Clear provides practical strategies to build good habits, break bad ones, and create systems for lasting success. Why it’s impactful for executive assistants:

You know it’s time to hire a right-hand partner. But you need help finding the right match. These resources can help! Specialized Recruiters for Executive A curated list of books for right-hand partners to entrepreneurial leaders. Check back often as I continue to add to this list!

The Founder & By Madeleine Niebauer, founder and co-CEO of vChief, a fractional executive talent network that helps organizations stabilize and scale through interim and fractional leadership. If Great Executive Assistants don’t just manage tasks - they think strategically, anticipate needs, and contribute to leadership decisions. By reading the same books as their executives, EAs gain valuable insights into leadership, communication, productivity, and problem-solving. This not only strengthens their ability to support and advise their leaders but also enhances their own professional growth.

Engaging in meaningful conversations about these books demonstrates initiative, builds credibility, and fosters stronger partnerships with executives. Plus, these books are packed with fascinating tidbits - perfect for sparking insightful discussions at networking events and making a lasting impression. No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, Reed Hastings & Erin MeyerFor EAs supporting leaders in fast-changing environments, this book reveals how Netflix’s radical approach to culture, innovation, and flexibility fosters high... Start with Why, Simon SinekUnderstanding the "why" behind decisions helps EAs align priorities, anticipate needs, and communicate with impact. This book will sharpen your strategic mindset, making you an invaluable asset in driving purpose-driven leadership. Dare to Lead, Brené BrownExecutive Assistants often bridge leadership gaps.

This book teaches courage, vulnerability, and trust-building—key for influencing executives, handling difficult conversations, and fostering a culture of resilience and authenticity. The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick LencioniA must-read for EAs who facilitate team cohesion. Learn how to identify and overcome common dysfunctions that hinder collaboration, improve trust, and enhance team performance—essential for supporting executives in building a strong organizational culture. By: Emma Hulbert on Nov 4, 2020 6:27:00 PM If you are Personal Assistant or Executive Assistants who is looking to further progress in your career, add real value and refine your skill set, then the below books should equip you with everything... The books we recommend have received brilliant reviews and ratings on various platforms such as LinkedIn and Amazon and have been well received by PAs/EAs all over the globe.

All of the books listed can be found on Amazon. There are many different types of books out there, however, having undertaken some research, we found these to be the most insightful and useful. Happy reading! The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars Of A Confident, Game-Changing Assistant by Jeremy Burrows Creator and host of the extremely popular ‘The Leader Assistant Podcast’, Jeremy Burrows is an experienced Executive Assistant, speaker and trainer who has now released his first book. In this book, Jeremy outlines four pillars – embody the characteristics, employ the tactics, engage in relationships and exercise self-care, which he states will help individuals to rediscover their passion for the profession and...

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Enter your email address to subscribe to Lucy's Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We often hear that “your network is your net worth,” but the truth goes deeper. Your real network is made up of the people who show up when life gets hard, offer help without being asked, and remind you that you’re not alone. The Financial Times recently spotlighted Chiefs of Staff as “the invisib...

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There are so many titles floating around our profession that I am loath to add yet another one, but one that keeps catching my attention is “Founder Associate.” It’s being used more and more... It should. But here’s the difference. A senior […] Founder & CEO, Executive Support Media | International Keynote Speaker & Trainer | Author of Career Book of the Year 2024 ‘The Modern-Day Assistant’ | Glob...

1. ‘The Four Agreements’ By Don Miguel Ruiz A Timeless

1. ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz A timeless guide for personal growth and professional resilience, teaching principles that are vital for self-awareness and relationship management. 2. ‘The New Executive Assistant: Exceptional Executive Office Management’ by Jonathan McIlroy A comprehensive resource for mastering the evolving expectations of the modern EA role, with a focus on strategy ...