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If your Executive says “quick update”… read this |
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If you only had 30 seconds with your Executive
We've been thinking about how we brief our Executives this week.
You know the moment. Your Executive catches you between meetings and asks for a quick update. You start explaining background context, long email threads, and the stakeholders involved, and somewhere halfway through, you realize you still haven’t said the one thing they actually needed to hear.
As EAs, we often see the full chain of emails, meeting notes, and decisions that led to the issue. We know the history behind an issue, who said what in the thread, and why the conversation even started. That context matters. Yet in the moment, our Executive usually needs a short version that helps them understand the situation and decide what to do next.
A simple way to sense-check any briefing is the 30-second rule. Imagine you had half a minute of your Executive’s attention in the corridor between meetings. What would you say first? What should they walk away remembering?
In most cases, the answer comes down to three things. Your recommendation. The decision you need from them. And why the timing matters right now.
Put those three points up front, and something interesting happens. Your Executive gets the message straight away, the decision becomes clearer, and the conversation feels far less like a download of information and far more like the two of you actually moving something forward.
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In this article, we will explore what makes an effective Executive brief in practical terms, grounded in how our days actually run. If you want your Executive to move through their day clear on what requires a decision, confident in the recommendation you are putting forward, and aware of the risks or sensitivities attached, this skill is worth refining.
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As Assistants, one of the most impactful ways we can support our Executives is to ensure they are fully prepared for anything that comes their way. In this guide, we’ll explore how to master the process of briefing your Executive, using an important meeting as our example, while also covering other key scenarios where your briefings will add immense value.
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The 30-Second Rule for Executive Briefings
When you are preparing a brief, imagine explaining it while walking with your Executive between meetings. You have about 30 seconds before they step into the next room. What do they need to hear first?
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Start with your recommendation, because as EAs we often begin with background, while your Executive usually wants your view straight away. Tell them what you think should happen so they immediately understand the direction you are suggesting.
- Be clear about the decision you need, and say exactly what you are asking for. Approval to move ahead. Input before sending something externally. A steer on how they want to handle a situation. When the request is clear, the conversation moves faster.
- Explain why the timing matters, so your Executive understands why the decision needs attention now. This might be a deadline, a waiting stakeholder, or something that will stall if there is no response.
- Add context if they ask for it, because once your recommendation and the decision are clear, you can expand with more detail if questions come up.
- Keep the structure consistent so that, over time, your Executive recognises the pattern. They know where the recommendation will appear and what decision you need, which makes these quick conversations much easier.
A clear 30-second brief often saves far more time later in the day. Your Executive quickly understands the situation, and you both move on to the next decision.
AI for EAs Masterclass
March 11th, 2026 - 11am-2pm ET | 4pm-7pm GMT
This live, practical training brings together the tools, workflows, and AI systems that are already transforming the EA profession - from ChatGPT and Perplexity to workflow automation, meeting tech, travel tools, and everyday productivity apps.
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Structured App
Structured lets you assign a time to each task, turning your list into a clear schedule rather than a long set of reminders. It also works well alongside your calendar, which can be useful if you want a quick view of how your day is shaping up alongside your Executive’s schedule.
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11th March 2026 @ 11am EST | 4pm GMT | 5pm CEST
AI for EAs Masterclass
This live, practical training brings together the tools, workflows, and AI systems that are already transforming the EA profession - from ChatGPT and Perplexity to workflow automation, meeting tech, travel tools, and everyday productivity apps. Book now>>>
18th March 2026 @ 11am EST | 4pm GMT | 5pm CEST
ChatGPT for EAs Masterclass
This ChatGPT for Executive Assistants Masterclass shows you exactly how to make ChatGPT a reliable, practical extension of your existing workflow, without adding complexity or extra steps. This is practical AI for real EA work. This Masterclass shows you exactly how to make ChatGPT a reliable, practical extension of your existing workflow, without adding complexity or extra steps. Book now>>>
30th March, 2026 @ 11am EST | 4pm GMT | 5pm CEST
Google Gemini for EAs Masterclass
Google Gemini is rapidly becoming embedded across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet, but most Assistants are only scratching the surface. This exclusive Google Gemini for Executive Assistants Masterclass gives you the clarity, confidence, and practical skills to integrate Gemini into the work you already do, immediately and effectively. Book now>>>
31st March, 2026 @ Live Over 24hrs
Virtual Summit March 2026
Join us for a focused half-day summit that brings together some of the most respected voices in the Assistant profession. You’ll learn what the future of the role really looks like, and the practical skills that will carry you through it. Book now>>>
April 22nd-24th, 2026 @ London, UK
The EA Campus Conference
Over three unmissable days, you’ll dive into game-changing sessions on the future of the Assistant role, take part in hands-on workshops that deliver practical, real-world results, and explore the latest in AI tools, tech demos, and tactical support you can use immediately. Best of all, you’ll do it all surrounded by a room full of people who get what it means to do your job, and love it just as much as you do. Book now>>>
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