By Ursula Kohler Co-Chair Lead EA Network, Founder Capital EA Group
In the Australian Public Service, careers are often described through linear pathways, graduate to EL, EL to SES. Yet one of the most underestimated and powerful career journeys sits quietly at the centre of decision-making, influence and leadership: the Executive Assistant.
From my own experience, and through the shared belief of the Committee of the Lead EA Network, we champion the view that a career as an Executive Assistant is not a supporting role in the background, but a launchpad that can take you to places, people and professional heights you may never have imagined at the very start of your journey.
Many EAs enter the role with practical intentions, seeking stability, flexibility, or a way into the APS. What often unfolds, however, is something far more expansive. The EA role provides unparalleled exposure to leadership in action. You are not learning leadership from textbooks or theoretical frameworks alone; you are witnessing it daily, in real time, under pressure, in moments of uncertainty, and in moments of national significance.
One of the greatest privileges of the EA profession is proximity. Proximity to Senior Executive Service leaders, to strategic decision-making, to confidential conversations, and to the rhythms of organisational power and influence. For those willing to observe deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect on what they see, leadership development is literally at your fingertips. Nowhere else in the APS does learning come so directly from the source.
Yet this opportunity is often overlooked, not just by others, but sometimes by EAs themselves. The role can be framed narrowly as administrative or transactional, rather than strategic and relational. This is where mindset matters. When EAs recognise themselves as partners in leadership, rather than passive supporters of it, their capability accelerates. They develop political acumen, emotional intelligence, stakeholder management skills, and an instinctive understanding of organisational culture, capabilities that are critical for long-term career growth.
The Lead EA Network strongly believe that no EA journey should be walked alone. Networks and partnerships are not optional extras; they are essential career infrastructure. Through professional networks, EAs gain perspective beyond their immediate environment, access to shared wisdom, and the confidence that comes from knowing others face similar challenges and opportunities. These connections create a kaleidoscope of possibilities, secondments, project opportunities, leadership pathways, and roles that stretch far beyond traditional expectations.
Equally important is the power of deeper conversations. When EAs move beyond surface-level exchanges and begin to openly discuss their aspirations, challenges and value, something shifts. Mutual support grows. Skills are shared. Knowledge deepens. The collective capability of the profession rises. These conversations reframe the EA role as one of influence, insight and trust, rather than task completion alone.
In the APS, partnership is a cornerstone of effective governance. EAs are uniquely positioned to model this every day, partnering with SES leaders, with peers, and with the broader organisation. The most successful EA-SES relationships are grounded in trust, clarity and shared purpose. In these partnerships, EAs are not only enabling leadership, but they are also shaping it.
Leadership learning does not always require a formal title. Often, it is learned in moments, how a difficult conversation is handled, how competing priorities are balanced, how values are upheld under pressure. For EAs, these moments are constant. The question is not whether leadership development is available, but whether it is recognised and intentionally embraced.
As advocates for the profession, we believe the future of the APS depends in part on how boldly EAs step into their potential. When EAs see their role as a long-term capability pathway—rich in learning, networks and opportunity, the impact extends far beyond individual careers. It strengthens leadership, resilience and continuity across the public service.
The Executive Assistant journey is not a detour. It is a front-row seat to leadership, a masterclass in influence, and a career that, when fully embraced, can take you further than you ever imagined.