Top Skills Every EA Should Have in 2025

Top Skills Every EA Should Have in 2025

The Executive Assistant (EA) role continues to evolve. In 2025, expectations are higher than ever. Senior leaders are looking for more than traditional diary and travel support. They need trusted advisors, strategic thinkers, and tech-savvy problem solvers who can add value beyond the admin.

At Lily Shippen, we speak to hundreds of EAs every year and have a clear view of what clients are prioritising in today’s market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to step up, here are the top skills every EA should have in 2025 and how to refine them over time.

1. Strategic Thinking
EAs are no longer just reactive. In 2025, those who can think ahead, spot risks, and anticipate their executive’s needs will stand out. This means understanding business goals, asking the right questions, and suggesting practical solutions that drive results.

Strategic thinking is honed through exposure. Supporting different leaders, observing how decisions are made, and staying close to the business agenda all help sharpen this skill. It cannot be mastered overnight, but it can be developed through experience, curiosity, and deliberate learning.

2. Tech Confidence
The best EAs are confident with technology, not just comfortable using it. As hybrid working and automation reshape the way teams operate, EAs need to be fluent in tools like project management software, CRM systems, video conferencing platforms, and AI-driven apps.

Confidence with technology improves through practice and ongoing learning. Taking the initiative to explore new tools, attend short courses, or shadow tech-savvy peers makes a real difference. Staying open to digital change is what sets future-ready EAs apart.

3. Stakeholder Management
EAs act as a key contact for internal teams and external partners. Managing relationships with people at every level, from board members to suppliers, requires confidence, tact, and professionalism.

Refining this skill takes time. Every interaction is an opportunity to learn how to adjust your tone, manage expectations, and build trust. Many EAs find that the more varied the stakeholders they work with, the more naturally this skill develops.

4. Composure Under Pressure
EAs are often the first point of contact in high-pressure situations. Whether it is a last-minute travel change or an unexpected diary conflict, staying calm and making clear, informed decisions is crucial.

This is one of the skills that develops through experience. The more pressure you have faced, the more equipped you become. Over time, composure becomes instinctive. Learning to manage stress, ask for support when needed, and keep perspective helps too.

5. Commercial Awareness
Understanding how your organisation operates is just as important as knowing your executive’s preferences. In 2025, commercial awareness helps EAs identify priorities, spot risks, and contribute to conversations with a clearer perspective.

You do not need a business degree to become commercially aware. Read internal reports, stay informed about industry trends, and ask questions about how decisions impact the wider business. This kind of awareness comes with curiosity and regular exposure to strategic conversations.

6. Flexibility and Adaptability
In today’s working world, change is constant. Being able to adapt quickly, shift focus, and remain composed in new situations is essential.

This is one of the most practical skills to strengthen. Say yes to new projects, learn from different teams, and view change as an opportunity rather than a disruption. Flexibility is often learned through action.

7. Emotional Intelligence
Empathy, awareness, and sensitivity are key parts of a successful EA’s toolkit. Your role is built on trust, and emotional intelligence helps you build that trust quickly.

This skill can be deepened with feedback, reflection, and training. Courses in communication, coaching, or conflict resolution can help, but so can taking time to understand your own triggers and patterns. Every challenging conversation is a chance to grow.

8. Discretion and Loyalty
EAs often have access to confidential information, so discretion is not optional. Clients need to trust that what is shared stays private and that their EA will act in the best interest of the business at all times.

Loyalty is one of the few qualities that cannot be taught in a classroom. It is demonstrated in actions over time. That said, understanding how to handle confidential information appropriately can be supported through clear guidance, strong role models, and regular feedback.

9. Initiative and Ownership
EAs who take ownership of their role, spot opportunities to improve systems, and act before being asked will always be in demand.

To strengthen this skill, step outside your job description. Look for patterns, question inefficiencies, and suggest changes. Initiative comes from being proactive, but it also requires confidence and the right environment to speak up.

10. Commitment to Growth
The best EAs are always learning. Staying ahead of new trends, tools, and ways of working helps you bring more to the table. It also shows employers that you are invested in your development.

At Lily Shippen, we support candidates through every stage of their career. Our free EA and PA mentoring programme, launched in 2024, is designed to help professionals grow in confidence, capability, and clarity about their next steps. We also recognised a growing need for structured, ongoing professional development tailored to the evolving expectations of support roles. This is why we created eavolve – a dedicated business offering coaching, learning and development solutions for Executive and Personal Assistants who want to take their careers to the next level.

Learning and development plays a vital role in this process. Structured training, peer mentoring, and access to career resources all help EAs strengthen and refresh their skill set over time. Many of the most valuable skills cannot be perfected – they are continuously refined through real-world experience and a commitment to ongoing growth.

Looking to Grow as an EA in 2025?
Whether you're planning your next career step or refining your skills in your current role, support is available. At Lily Shippen, we place and mentor high-performing EAs and PAs across the UK. We understand what top businesses need and what it takes to thrive in this evolving role.

Explore our EA recruitment service or get in touch to speak with our team.