Ask for the outcome, accountable executive, deadline, dependencies
Ask for the outcome, accountable executive, deadline, dependencies, and current source of truth. A project without an owner is a request for clarification, not a ready assignment.
Identify the coordination work separately from the subject-matter work
Identify the coordination work separately from the subject-matter work. Support may track decisions and follow up, but functional owners still own the work itself.
Set a first review date before accepting the intake
Set a first review date before accepting the intake. That creates a point where the team can adjust scope instead of letting an informal request grow without review.
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Should one assistant support the whole executive team?
Sometimes. It works when priorities are clear and executives share one operating rhythm.
What should happen before a consult?
List the meetings, inbox rules, recurring reports, and decisions that need support.
Ready to define the role?
Use a recent leadership week to scope the support that would make the biggest difference. The consultation is a working conversation, not a generic pitch.
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