Priority management

Executive support priority ladder for competing requests

A practical ladder for ranking competing executive support requests by consequence and timing.

4 min readHireExecutiveTeam editorial
Executive support priority ladder for competing requests article illustration
Table of contents
  1. Start by naming the outcome each request protects
  2. Place urgent work above routine work only when
  3. Review the ladder at the end of the week
  4. Frequently asked questions

Start by naming the outcome each request protects

Start by naming the outcome each request protects, the date it matters, and the person accountable for the decision. A request becomes easier to compare when its consequence of waiting is explicit.

Place urgent work above routine work only when

Place urgent work above routine work only when the consequence warrants it. Support may recommend an order, but a tradeoff between executive commitments remains a leadership decision.

Review the ladder at the end of the week

Review the ladder at the end of the week. Repeated exceptions usually indicate a missing rule, unclear ownership, or a recurring request that deserves a better intake path.

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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