NEWS
CAREER Professional development tips for executive-level PAs
THE FINAL WORD FROM A CHIEF OF STAFF
JO JONES
Welcoming a brand new year
As 2026 begins, I’ m feeling energised and ready to take on what’ s ahead. I’ ve always loved this time of year because, for me, it is full of new possibilities and adventures. You don’ t quite know what is coming your way – and that’ s what makes it exciting.
One of the exciting starts to my January is having the pleasure of being introduced to five fabulous new EAs, now firmly in my network. They’ re all at very different stages in their careers but they share two things:
■ They’ re seriously motivated.
■ They’ re high performing( and the energy that creates is contagious).
I had conversations with them during the first few days of January, particularly about setting new year resolutions and whether we should start the year setting new goals. As many of you will know by now, I love an alliteration. So, my 2026 motto is‘ proactiveness, planning and prioritisation’.“ Basic EA 101, Jo”, I hear you cry! And yes, you’ re quite right – but it’ s always good to have a reminder of what runs through our EA DNA.
Back to my new peers and our goal-setting conversations, which have been mixed. But I suggested that if you try it, it could be a great motivational activity. And, dare I say it, therapeutic, even.
If you’ re still wondering about it( and it’ s never too late to set yourself a goal or two) I’ d approach it by asking yourself:“ How can I help my exec start their year positively and keep it this way as they go on?” Remember, your role is to quite simply make their lives easier – and this opens up so many possibilities. The list of ideas is probably endless.
So, what else should we promise to ourselves for 2026? My peers spoke about AI( a lot) and if it
will eventually wipe us from the business model – and debated whether it helps us or hinders us as EAs. I truly feel that our role will forever be part of business but AI is no longer an option or something that’ s happening elsewhere. It’ s increasingly becoming an essential part of daily life – especially working life – and we can’ t deny that it might well enhance our productivity and effectiveness. Keep joining those webinars and tutorials!
The hottest topic which came out of my recent discussions, however, was the same old adage of
“ If you’ re still wondering about it I’ d approach it by asking yourself:‘ How can I help my exec start their year positively and keep it this way as they go on?’”
being recognised for what we do because we’ re not just‘ admins’. I cannot abide by this term; it feels so derogatory and extremely evocative for me.
We must keep showcasing our speciality, so looping us back to proactiveness, planning and prioritisation, I pledge we:
■ Do not purely assist. We advise, we guide, we shape. That’ s proactiveness.
■ Are not passive. We have a presence at the table, we are the strategic partner – not passive, always present; a strategic partnership.
■ Are clear with our directives and communications. And we are consistently so – that’ s planning.
■ Make sound decisions that inspire, trust and, most of all, deliver. That’ s prioritisation. S
Jo Jones is EA at Lightsourcebp
58 Executive PA | Summer Issue 2026