Grateful for My CEO

Today, I paused. Instead of lining up the next meetings, the next travel, or the next big event, I watched my CEO speak at an industry via webcast. Normally, I focus on logistics while he does "his things". But today, for 45 minutes, I tuned in fully, aligning with his wavelength and seeing the world through his lens.

I listened to his words, watched how he carried himself, and realized just how much clarity and depth of knowledge he brings to the industry and the company he leads. In that moment, I felt a genuine sense of admiration. Hats off.

Here is this brilliant man responsible for 8,000 employees and countless shareholders - and I'm the one quietly managing the details behind him. That realization humbled me.

In the EA world, it's easy to get caught up in our own importance. There's truth in the idea that strong executives rely heavily on strong assistants. But there are also extraordinary leaders whose vision, mastery, and responsibility rests on their own shoulders. And my CEO is one of them.

Because of the heavy lifting he does out there - carrying the weight of the business, facing investors, steering the company forward - all of us, myself included, get to have a job. Eight thousand people are able to live their lives, provide for their families, and build their futures because he shows up every day in his element, doing his best to drive this big ship forward. That is no small thing.

Watching him reminded me of the real balance: executive assistants don't need to "be" the quasi-CEO in the room - That's not why we are hired, nor is it the role we are meant to play. Our purpose is to support, complement, and to integrate fully with the CEO's mission, so that we can provide the best possible foundation for them to lead.

And for that, I am deeply grateful - to serve, to learn, and to stand quietly behind a leader worth supporting.