What you do matters.

We honor the everyday impact of executive assistants.

One Reminder of Your Impact.

This series reflects a truth you already live.
It may be invisible.
But it changes everything.

Stay Sharp - Stay Intentional - Stay Indispensable.

Resource Spotlight: WhatMatters.com

WhatMatters.com, founded by legendary VC and OKR pioneer John Doerr, is a treasure trove for anyone looking to master the art of goal-setting and measurable success. The site offers free guides, templates, and toolkits for implementing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in any role — including administrative and executive support functions. You'll find video training modules, real-world case studies from companies like Google and Intel, a podcast series featuring leaders who live and breathe metrics-driven culture, and even downloadable worksheets to help you draft your own measurable goals from scratch. For EAs looking to translate their daily work into the language executives value most, WhatMatters.com is an accessible, no-cost starting point packed with practical, real-world tools.

→ Get the goods here: Execution is EVERYTHING. Do what matters with OKRs.

From One EA to Another

Steal This Framework: The OKR Worksheet

Skip building your own tracking system from scratch. WhatMatters.com offers a free, downloadable Key Results worksheet that walks you through turning vague responsibilities into measurable outcomes.

Before: "I manage the executive's calendar."

After (using the worksheet): "Reduced scheduling conflicts by 30% and cut average meeting prep time from 15 minutes to 5."

👉 Grab it here: WhatMatters.com — Free OKR Templates & Guides

Bring this filled-out worksheet to your next 1:1. Watch how differently the conversation goes.

Worth Watching

Why the secret to success is setting the right goals | John Doerr | TED

11 Minutes 52 seconds

John Doerr explains the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) framework, created by Andy Grove, as a method for setting meaningful, measurable goals that align ambition with purpose. He illustrates its impact through examples from Nuna’s Medicaid project, Bono’s anti-poverty campaigns, and Google’s Chrome development, emphasizing clear “why,” significant objectives, and specific key results to drive execution and accountability across organizations, teams, and individuals.

→ Watch it Here 

What all this says about the EA Effect

The EA Effect isn't just about being helpful. It's about being legible — visible in a way that leadership can see, quantify, and value.

Great EAs have always driven results. What's changing is the expectation that we can name those results — in numbers, in outcomes, in language executives already speak.

 The EA Effect isn't diminished by data. It's proven by it.

Why The EA Effect Matters

Because invisible impact is replaceable impact.

When you can't show your value, you become "support staff" in someone's budget spreadsheet. When you can show it — in speed, satisfaction, quality, cost savings — you become a strategic partner.

The EA Effect matters because the people doing this work are shaping outcomes at the highest levels of business — and it's time the metrics reflect that truth.

This Week's EA Effect in Action

Your Challenge:

This week, ask your executive (or yourself, honestly):

"What are the 3 numbers that matter most to you right now?"

Then, head to WhatMatters.com and download their free OKR worksheet. Use it to translate your answer into one simple Key Result you can track.

Example:

• Objective: Support faster, more confident decision-making for my executive

• Key Result: Reduce average meeting-prep turnaround from 24 hours to 4 hours by end of month

Track it for 7 days. At the end of the week, send a short recap to your executive:

"Here's what I noticed this week about how my work connects to [X goal]."

👉 Get the free worksheet here: WhatMatters.com — OKR Templates & Guides

Watch what happens to how you're perceived. 

Now on to other stuff

Why So Much from WhatMatters.com This Week?

Quick note: you'll see several links to whatmatters.com in this issue. No collaboration, nothing noteworthy prompting it — it's simply a fantastic, free, comprehensive resource that EAs can tap into, and we wanted to spotlight it.

Measure What Matters by John Doerr In his book, legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth—and how it can help any organization thrive.

→ Get it Here  

WhatMatters.com. Chock full of free templates, videos, and guides. No login required, no cost. Just good, practical tools.

→ Bookmark it! You’ll be glad you did.

If you've come across something worth sharing, reply to this email with it. I'd love to see what's on your radar. I may feature it in a future issue.

The Dream Desk

Tucked beside an open window, this weathered wooden desk feels like a secret nook where nature and creativity intertwine. Ivy curls playfully through the windowpanes, as if trying to sneak inside, while beyond the glass, a cottage garden bursts with roses, lavender, and foxgloves swaying in the soft morning light.

Where's your dream office this week?

Reply to this email with your idea or your own image.

Ambient Luxuries

Your desk might be covered in to-dos, but your mind? That deserves a view. Each week, we’ll drop a dreamy background and soundtrack to help you through the day like the behind-the-scenes wizard you are. Headphones in, magic on.
Note: These links are publicly available and not affiliated with us just something we love and want to share.

The EA Effect is not just a newsletter.
It's a weekly reminder of your influence.

If you’re curious to explore other issues on influence, prioritization, emotional intelligence, and leading without a title you’ll find them all on the website.

Browse when you have a moment.
We’re glad you’re here!

TheEAEffect.com  ·  See you next week.