In this Q&A, Courtney Salas joins me to unpack what it really takes to succeed as an Executive Assistant in a fast-paced tech startup. From organising constant change to stepping confidently into a strategic partnership, Courtney shares honest stories from life inside a 40-something-person scale-up—where there are no playbooks, just problems to solve and opportunities to grab.
You’ll hear how Courtney:
- Swapped corporate certainty for startup “productive chaos” and found her happy place
- Balances EA fundamentals with high-impact projects (including running a full Series A process)
- Builds confidence to challenge decisions and propose better options
- Hires for grit, curiosity, and bias to action - over years of experience
- Uses AI smartly, including a custom “Joe AI” profile to draft in her executive’s voice
- Streamlines calendars and inboxes with booking links and sensible automation - without losing control
Listen if you’re:
Curious about moving into tech, keen to elevate your remit beyond the “basics,” or ready to use tools and workflows to free up time for genuinely strategic work.
Highlights
- Owning the chaos: why uncertainty can accelerate your growth
- The fine line: keeping the day-to-day tight while driving big outcomes
- Influence in action: weekly prioritisation check-ins that actually work
- Tech stack talk: calendar links, inbox design, and practical AI
- Career mindset: choose leaders who open doors—and remember “everything is figureoutable”
Tools and Resources:
- Google Calendar – daily scheduling, advanced setup for blocking priorities and tasks
- Calendly – as another option for sharing availability
- ChatGPT – used daily to draft, edit, and research
- Slack – team communications, used as a source for training the AI
Resources & next steps
If you’re working towards a strategic partnership, explore our Strategic Business Partner course and check what’s coming up on The EA Campus events calendar. You’ll find masterclasses, summits, and community sessions designed to support you at every stage.
Enjoy the episode, and if it resonates, share it with an EA who’s ready for their next leap.
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