The EA Campus Podcast

When your Executive is out of the office, your role doesn’t slow down — it shifts gears. In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas shares practical strategies for managing both sides of the job: supporting your Executive on the road and keeping the office moving in their absence. From setting clear communication rhythms and decision boundaries to running a triage inbox and planning a smooth re-entry, this episode is packed with grounded, tactical advice you can apply straight away.You’ll learn how to:Build trust so you can make confident decisions while your Executive is awayOperate a sharper, more assertive inbox triage systemProtect your Executive’s focus during high-stakes tripsUse tools and templates to handle disruptions and keep things steadyPlan the first day back so your Executive avoids burnout and stays effectiveIf you’ve ever been told, “Now the boss is travelling you can put your feet up,” this episode will prove just how wrong that is.Show NotesFree Travel Itinerary Template – create seamless, professional itinerariesAssistant Essentials Online Course – master travel management, stakeholder comms, and proactive supportUpcoming Events – September & October highlights:Lead Virtual Summit – 26 September: Build influence and become a strategic partnerCommunity Webinar – 30 September: What Assistants need from their Executives to create a true partnershipCalm Under Pressure Masterclass – 10 October: Stay focused and composed in high-stress situationsChatGPT for Executive Assistants Masterclass – 24 October: Prompt smarter, streamline workflows, and use AI securelyStrategic Time Management Masterclass – 30 October: Align time with strategy and deliver impact The EA Campus

Courtney Sallis, a dynamic Executive Assistant thriving in a fast-paced tech startup, shares her journey from corporate predictability to startup vibrancy. She reveals how embracing chaos can fuel personal growth and emphasizes the importance of adaptability in her role. Courtney discusses building confidence to challenge decisions and incorporating AI tools to enhance productivity. She stresses the need for strategic thinking while managing day-to-day tasks and the value of self-advocacy and strong workplace relationships in achieving career satisfaction.

In this episode, I’m joined by Microsoft Office maestro Shelley Fishel, founder of Tomorrow’s VA. Shelley has spent decades training assistants to get brilliant results with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and now, of course, Microsoft Copilot. We dig into what’s genuinely useful right now, what’s coming next, and how EAs can lead the conversation on AI without losing sight of the fundamentals.Shelley shares how she uses Copilot daily (from redrafting tricky emails to prioritising the inbox and summarising meetings), why core skills like slide masters and brand-safe templates still matter, and how to make the most of lesser-known gems across Microsoft 365. We also talk mindset—staying curious, learning out loud, and saying “yes” then figuring it out—plus the big question: Will AI replace EAs? (Short answer: no. Nuance, judgment, and calendar strategy still need a human.)What you’ll learn:Practical ways EAs can use Copilot today in Outlook, Teams, Word and beyondWhy knowing the basics (formatting, slide masters, rules/quick steps) saves hours every weekHow to make a case for Copilot licences—and the security benefits of using it inside your tenantMindset shifts to keep pace with fast-moving tech (without chasing every shiny thing)Where Microsoft 365 is quietly evolving—and the features most assistants overlookTools, features & terms mentioned:Microsoft Copilot across Outlook, Word, Teams (meeting summaries), and forthcoming Excel capabilities (including =COPILOT)Outlook: Quick Steps, Rules, prioritising the inboxPowerPoint: Slide Master, custom layouts, brand-safe decksMicrosoft Loop (pages & live components), Copilot PagesMicrosoft Sway (lightweight, web-style internal newsletters)Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Lists, Microsoft BookingsSecurity/Tenant awareness (enterprise data protection vs. pasting data into public AI tools)Other AI tools touched on: ChatGPT, Claude, PerplexityPerfect for: Executive Assistants who want clear, real-world ways to work smarter with Microsoft 365 and lead on AI - without the hype.🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on The EA Campus website. The EA Campus

Managing an Executive's inbox goes beyond just clearing emails; it’s about enhancing productivity and reducing stress. The discussion highlights crucial conversations for setting expectations on responses and frequency of checks. Understanding email stress points and prioritizing senders can transform the workflow. It emphasizes the importance of strategic value and trust in building a successful partnership. If you want to streamline communication, this conversation could be your game-changer!

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we explore one of the most overlooked but powerful dynamics in the Executive Assistant role: the ability to be both interested and interesting.Nicky shares personal stories and honest reflections on how curiosity and personality can shape your career path—from missed promotions in roles that felt uninspiring, to thriving in environments where she connected with the work and the people around her.You’ll learn:Why being curious about your Executive, their goals, and your organisation mattersHow showing your personality (yes, even your love of movies or gardening!) can open unexpected doorsPractical tips for building confidence and authenticity—even in quieter or less inclusive workplace culturesWhat to do if you’re not interested in your industry, and how to decide whether it’s time to move onPlus, don’t miss this week’s freebie: our Elevator Pitch for EAs, a guide to confidently explain your role in any setting. Download it now at theeacampus.com/podcast/ep73Learn and master the skills you need to be an incredible Assistant ➔ https://theeacampus.comhttps://theeacampus.com/newsletter/CONNECT WITH US:LinkedInInstagramFacebook🛠 MORE COURSES AND RESOURCES:https://theeacampus.com/resources/https://theeacampus.com/online-course/ The EA Campus

When your Executive’s calendar is bursting at the seams, it’s tempting to feel responsible, like somehow, you should have prevented the chaos. But guilt doesn’t belong in your job description. In this episode, we’re flipping the script on calendar management and giving you the tools to start strategic conversations that lead to real change.We’re diving into:Why it’s so important to talk about time, especially when your Executive is “too busy”How to ask subtle, thoughtful questions that spark meaningful reflectionWhat to do when your Exec says, “I don’t know,” and how to gently guide the conversation forwardThe real difference between being the calendar manager and being a strategic partnerYou’ll walk away with 10 practical conversation starters (and yes, there’s a free template!) to help you uncover what’s really driving the diary, and how to make smarter decisions with your Executive, not just for them.🎧 Plus, this week’s free download includes a script and toolkit you can use straight away: theeacampus.com/podcast/ep72Whether your Exec thrives on the hustle or is teetering on burnout, this episode will help you start the conversations that matter.Learn and master the skills you need to be an incredible Assistant ➔ https://theeacampus.comhttps://theeacampus.com/newsletter/CONNECT WITH US:LinkedInInstagramFacebook🛠 MORE COURSES AND RESOURCES:https://theeacampus.com/resources/https://theeacampus.com/online-course/ The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we’re diving into the real-life juggle of supporting multiple executives—because yes, it’s a lot. But with the right systems, honest conversations, and a bit of forward planning, it can be done without losing your mind (or your lunch break).I’m sharing the strategies that have helped me stay on top of it all, plus we’ve got brilliant insights from Natalie Egan, Senior Executive Assistant & Operations Lead, International Communications at Salesforce. Natalie knows what it takes to manage several high-level stakeholders at once, and she’s generously shared her tried-and-tested approaches with us.We cover:How to set expectations early and fairly across multiple execsWhy time alignment is your first (and most important) stepTips for staying visible, building trust, and avoiding calendar chaosWhat to do when people dynamics get a little tricky🎁 Plus, we’re giving away a free Daily Briefing Document to help you manage tasks, priorities, and updates for each of your execs. Download it at theeacampus.com/podcast/ep71Learn and master the skills you need to be an incredible Assistant ➔ https://theeacampus.comhttps://theeacampus.com/newsletter/CONNECT WITH US:LinkedInInstagramFacebook🛠 MORE COURSES AND RESOURCES:https://theeacampus.com/resources/https://theeacampus.com/online-course/ The EA Campus

Ever feel like your brain has 47 tabs open – and not a single one is loading properly?In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, I’m sharing 10 real ChatGPT prompts I use every week to streamline my business, clarify my thinking, and save serious time – and I promise, they’re not just for techies. Whether you're writing tricky emails, planning events, building SOPs, or just trying to get your head straight for a 1:1, there’s something in here you’ll want to borrow (and make your own).We’ll talk about how ChatGPT can become your second brain – not to replace your skills as an Assistant, but to amplify them. I’ll show you how to adapt these prompts for your own role or even share them with your Executive to help them work smarter too.Plus, I’ve created a free EA ChatGPT Prompt Sheet to go with this episode – packed with examples you can copy, tweak and try straight away. Grab it at theeacampus.com/podcast/ep70. In this episode:How to turn brain dumps into action plansPrompts for writing emails, LinkedIn posts, and meeting agendasUsing AI to reduce decision fatigue and create routines that workTips for crafting SOPs, summarising meetings, and getting budget clarityWhether you’re just starting with AI or already dabbling, this is a practical, jargon-free guide to using ChatGPT in a way that makes sense for you as an EA.Learn and master the skills you need to be an incredible Assistant ➔ https://theeacampus.comhttps://theeacampus.com/newsletter/CONNECT WITH US:LinkedInInstagram Facebook 🛠 MORE COURSES AND RESOURCES: https://theeacampus.com/resources/https://theeacampus.com/online-course/ The EA Campus

As Executive Assistants, we’re no strangers to juggling a hundred things at once, but how often do we stop and ask: Is this a task, or am I actually running a project? In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, we are diving into why recognising the difference between tasks and project work matters more than you might think.We’ll talk about how to spot project work in your day-to-day, why the language you use can completely change how others see your role, and how to start framing your contributions in a more strategic way, without adding loads of admin to your plate.You’ll walk away with a simple framework for thinking about your projects (yes, they are projects!) and the confidence to say, “I delivered this” - because you did.EA Insight of the Week: A small shift in language can lead to a big shift in impact. The EA Campus

In this episode of The EA Campus Podcast, host Nicky Christmas sits down with Gisele Karame-Kemp for a candid and inspiring Day in the Life conversation.Gisele joins us from Sydney, Australia, where she leads a global team of Executive and Administrative Assistants at Atlassian. With a career that’s taken her from the University of Sydney to the private investment world supporting Lachlan Murdoch, and five and a half years as EA to Atlassian’s CEO, Gisele shares the real story behind her career evolution—and what it’s like to go from EA to people manager in a fast-paced tech environment.We talk about:What it takes to lead a team of Assistants while staying true to the EA mindsetHow to build confidence and shift out of perfectionismManaging burnout, creating sustainable routines, and prioritising self-careWhy a growth mindset is more valuable than a polished CVNavigating roles that look impressive on LinkedIn but don’t align with your lifeGisele brings a refreshing blend of insight, humility, and humour to this conversation—whether you're an EA exploring your next step, or a leader supporting others in their careers, you’ll take so much away from this episode.Resources and links mentioned:Feel Better, Live More podcast with Dr Rangan ChatterjeeUpcoming EA Campus events: https://theeacampus.com/events The EA Campus