Core skills of an EA: writing or using ChatGPT

Why are so few EAs good at, or confident in writing? Some would argue it’s because they never do any writing in their jobs. Aside from short emails, how much do EAs write? Adam Fidler, founder of Adam Fidler Academy discusses the surge in using generative AI such as ChatGPT to do most of the writing for EAs…

Executive Assistants have been quick to seize the opportunities to hand over writing tasks to ChatGPT and other AI tools, particularly when asked to write something more substantial. Perhaps that’s a sign of untrusting their writing abilities. I’ve met a number of EAs recently who seem quite proud to say, “I use ChatGPT to write my performance appraisal,” or “I’ve used ChatGPT to draft a report for me.” I think, goodness, what a waste of an opportunity to learn and develop sound writing skills. But, also, where’s the authenticity if it’s been written by AI?

Writing is a core skill in an EA’s toolbox

EAs should be able to write well—and that comes through practice, the ability to think through what you want to say before you say it, and confidence to put pen to paper. Little wonder many bosses do too much of their own writing if they can’t ask their EA to write for them. Many high-level EAs will often confirm they draft their leader’s correspondence, composing reports and even write presentations for a town-hall meeting— and that’s as it should be.

Whose tone of voice to use?

There is also the unhelpful view that if you do any writing as an EA then you should be able to write in your manager’s tone and viewpoint, and write as if you are them. I am afraid I don’t agree. In my experience, an EA who writes well will often become the ghost-writer for their manager. The EA’s tone, and ability to communicate clearly, is often adopted by the manager, and not the other way round. In my career, I wrote scores of ‘comms’ for my bosses; seldom did they ask me to change it to make it sound more like them.

Writing is a great skill that an EA is rewarded for. If you can write well, with the correct tone of voice, a dash of empathy, and in a professional manner (that means sound spelling, punctation and grammar) you have another higher level skill that a boss will utilise.

It’s a shame so many EAs never write anything beyond an email for their boss—or use only ChatGPT (because it’s ‘quicker’). A boss who knows that their EA can write well will use that competence—and that’s another sure way to save a busy leader an awful lot of time.

Adam has been sharing essential career advice with PA Life readers for many years and also writes a column in PA Life quarterly magazine.