Leadership Powered by Common Sense How Executive Assistants Power Strategic Business Growth
9 snips
Jan 13, 2026 Monique Hellstrom, a seasoned executive assistant and coach, shares her journey with Simon Sinek, where she honed skills in organizing operations and strategic growth. She discusses the evolving respect for assistants and their crucial roles in partnerships. Monique highlights the importance of trust, confidentiality, and how AI can aid, rather than replace, assistants. She provides insights on leveraging strengths, enhancing productivity, and utilizing AI for effective communication in challenging situations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Decade As 'Chief Of Simon'
- Monique Hellstrom described joining Simon Sinek in late 2010 as his executive assistant titled 'Chief of Simon'.
- She spent a decade organizing his life and operations through multiple book launches and company growth.
Architect And Builder Metaphor
- Monique compares the executive-assistant relationship to an architect and a builder to highlight complementary roles.
- The assistant turns vision into reality by handling execution details the leader can't or shouldn't manage.
The Role Has Evolved Rapidly
- The executive assistant role has blossomed and gained respect, evolving from email/calendar tasks to strategic partnership.
- Executives now seek assistants who anticipate needs, attend meetings, and think ahead.
