State what changed, what is waiting, who owns
State what changed, what is waiting, who owns the next action, and when the item matters. Do not make the next person reconstruct the decision from scattered messages.
Mark facts, open questions, and assumptions separately
Mark facts, open questions, and assumptions separately. This is especially important when the next support person cannot ask the original requester immediately.
Review handoffs for repeated confusion
Review handoffs for repeated confusion. If the same context is missing twice, change the brief or the underlying ownership rule.
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.
Book a consultation