In the world of Executive and Personal Assistants, it’s easy to get praised for being the calm in the chaos. The one who quietly fixes problems, keeps the wheels turning, and stays just out of sight. However, in reality, if you want to progress and truly be seen for the strategic value you bring, you have to find your voice. By that, I don’t mean shouting louder, I mean owning your space, communicating your value clearly, and showing up with confidence. Emily Partridge from eavolve and Lily Shippen Recruitment explores further…

I speak about this with conviction now, but it wasn’t always the case for me. In the early years of my career, I kept my head down. I worked hard, met deadlines, supported whoever I was working with impeccably, but I rarely put myself forward (hard to believe I know). I thought that if I just did the work well enough, people would notice but they didn’t. I became dependable but overlooked.

That started to change when I stepped into more senior EA roles and, eventually, when I began managing global EA teams. It became impossible to lead or influence effectively without finding and using my voice. Once I started to speak up whether in meetings, one-to-ones or decision-making conversations, I noticed how differently I was received. I wasn’t doing more work, I was simply being more visible about the value I already brought.

The link between voice and visibility

As EAs and PAs, we often feel like we have to choose between being discreet and being visible. That’s a false choice. You can absolutely maintain professionalism and discretion while still having a presence and being heard. In fact, I’d argue that not doing so is one of the biggest blockers to progression in our profession.

When I talk about visibility, I don’t mean turning yourself into someone else or constantly talking in meetings just to be seen. I mean being intentional about the way you communicate. Whether it’s putting forward ideas, questioning decisions, offering insight, or even just being honest about your capacity, using your voice with purpose changes how people experience you.

The truth is, your work alone isn’t always enough to speak for itself (sad I know), and in a role that requires such a high level of influence, trust, and forward-thinking, people need to hear what you bring (not just see the result after the fact).

I truly believe that using your voice (strategically) can accelerate your growth. It helps you align more closely with your executive’s goals, shape conversations at the right level, and become part of decision-making processes. It also builds confidence, both yours and others in you.

Without a voice, your work risks being seen as reactive rather than proactive. You might be doing incredible things behind the scenes, but if no one is aware of them or understands your thinking, you’ll stay boxed into a certain perception of your role, and that makes career growth harder than it needs to be.

You also can’t be an advocate for others if you’re not able to advocate for yourself. Whether you want a pay rise, more responsibility, flexible working, or simply better communication with your exec, finding your voice is how you get there.

If you’re reading this and thinking “that’s not me,” that’s okay. You don’t have to go from zero to keynote speaker overnight. Finding your voice takes time, but it starts with intention.

Here are five simple ways to help you in finding your voice as a PA or EA:

• Ask questions in meetings. Even a well-timed, thoughtful question shows you’re engaged and thinking ahead. It doesn’t need to be ground-breaking; it just needs to be yours.
• Speak in statements, not apologies. Ditch the “sorry, just a quick thought…” and replace it with “I suggest we…” or “Based on what I’ve seen…”. It’s a small shift that makes a huge difference.
• Practise saying no without over-explaining. Boundaries are part of being respected, and you can be both firm and professional at the same time.
• Share your wins. Don’t wait for appraisal season. Mention the things that went well, even in passing. It’s not bragging, it’s context.
• Write before you speak. If you find it hard to articulate things in the moment, jot down your thoughts in advance. Email can be a powerful tool for building confidence in how you express yourself.

Remember, you don’t need to become the loudest person in the room. Your power is in knowing when and how to speak up, not constantly doing so.

One of the biggest turning points in my own career was realising that being technically brilliant wasn’t enough on its own. The real shift came when I started showing people how I think, what I see, and how I add value (out loud, not just through actions).

If you’re someone who gets described as “quietly brilliant” or “just gets on with it” take that as your sign. You’re doing the hard part already, now it’s time to back yourself, let others in on how capable you are, and stop waiting to be seen.

Finding your voice is one of the most powerful things you can do for your career, and it’s never too late to start.