Executive Assistants 2026: Trends, Tools & Tactical Skills

Executive Assistants of the future are far more than classic support roles. They increasingly take on strategic and even advisory positions. But as the role evolves, so do the demands.

To succeed in 2026, EAs must not only bring organizational talent and communication skills but also think strategically, master technological tools, and develop leadership qualities.

This blog post focuses on two categories of skills:

Core Skills are the classic, yet significantly evolved, competencies that will remain essential in 2026 – such as strategic thinking, empathy, self-leadership, and technological understanding. They are the stable foundation upon which EA excellence is built.

Emerging Skills are abilities that are gaining importance due to current changes – such as working with AI, sustainability expertise, creative output capabilities, or visual design. They are the progressive upgrade that transforms and future-proofs the role.

The following five key competencies help Executive Support Professionals not only adapt but excel – even when challenges arise.

Skill #1: Strategic Mindset & Business Acumen

EAs are sparring partners on equal footing. Strategic thinking will become a core competence, meaning:

• Understanding business models, KPIs, and objectives
• Proactively shaping meetings and decision-making processes
• Planning ahead rather than just managing calendars
• Setting priorities from the company’s perspective

Challenge: Moving from an “executor” role to a “strategic partner” requires courage and trust, both internally and externally. It also takes time to deepen business expertise. Shadowing colleagues can be a valuable way to better understand the business and its context.

Skill #2: Technological Know-how & Tool Mastery

The EA tool landscape is expanding – from digital workspaces to AI-powered meeting analysis. Staying relevant means:

• Mastering modern collaboration tools (e.g., Miro, Notion, MS Teams)
• Automating repetitive tasks (e.g., with Zapier or AI bots)
• Understanding data protection and cyber awareness

Challenge: The flood of tools can be overwhelming. Conscious selection and regular upskilling are essential. Consume relevant articles and resources intentionally to stay ahead.

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Skill #3: Empathy, Communication & Conflict Sensitivity

Between high-level executives, project leads, and external stakeholders, diplomacy is key:

• Communicate clearly and diplomatically
• Apply emotional intelligence and active listening
• Spot and defuse conflicts early
• Master cross-cultural communication

Challenge: Remote and hybrid setups make it harder to read people. Empathy must be actively cultivated. On office days, leverage networking opportunities, meet people, and have conversations. Even plan office tours for executives.

Skill #4: Agility & Self-Leadership

The EA role is becoming more fluid, with tasks changing rapidly. This requires ownership and quick adaptability:

• Agile working with short feedback loops
• Self-organization in high-autonomy environments
• Resilience under high expectations
• Clarity about personal values and goals

Challenge: Don’t drown in complexity. Clear routines and tools help maintain oversight. Assistants are experts at managing others – but it all starts with self-management. Know your most productive hours, choose your preferred time-management methods, and focus on monotasking instead of multitasking if that works for you.

Skill #5: Leadership & Influence

EAs often lead without formal authority, relying instead on influence across the organization – also known as lateral leadership.
Lateral leadership means influencing others through relationships, trust, and expertise, not hierarchy. EAs take responsibility, motivate project teams, steer processes, and contribute to decision-making – all without official managerial power.

What makes lateral leadership effective:

• Building strong peer relationships with executives, colleagues, and stakeholders
• Influencing through clarity, reliability, and communication strength
• Moderating differing interests and fostering constructive solutions
• Positioning yourself as a trusted partner with oversight and integrative power

Challenge: Leading without a title requires confidence, support, and continuous learning. Seeking mentors and building intentional networks can provide long-term support. Leadership without a title demands social intelligence, self-confidence, and visibility – and leadership teams must create space for this to flourish.

Outlook‍

With these five key competencies, Executive Assistants in 2026 will position themselves as indispensable: strategic, empathetic, and tech-savvy.
But the skill set of the future goes beyond this. In Part 2, we’ll look at additional abilities that take the EA role to the next level – from AI expertise to sustainability to creative influence.

To be continued…

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About the Author

‍Diana Brandl is a former executive assistant and speaker at renowned companies such as Sony, Mister Spex, and Babbel. She works as a coach, trainer, and consultant. Diana is a successful podcaster and author, and is regarded as Germany’s most prominent voice for the profession of Executive Support Professionals.