1. THE
A N A B S T R A CT I D E A ;
A GE N E R A L N OT I ON .
A Secret Weapon For Overwhelmed Leaders
Executive
ASSISTANT
Prepared by:
Rusul E. Hasani
Engineer / Executive Assistant

2. Personal Presentation

3. OUTLINES.
PART 01
THE EA.
PART 04
WRAP-UP.
PART 03
RECOVERY PLAN

4. Ask God for a great assistant. No joke. A great one can
make your life a whole lot easier - or, in my case, almost
manageable.
Donald J. Trump, CEO of the U.S

5. PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS

6. Executive Assistant ≠ Administrative Assistant
Executive Assistant ≠ Executive Secretary
“Executive Assistants pool is available to everyone on the team,
regardless of seniority”
Sam Crocos, a 47-employee startup cofounder
Administrative Assistants
Not every founder can grasp the
understanding of the executive roles.
Executive Assistant = Strategic Support
⃕
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS
Executive Assistant = Operations Support

7. Rajan Anandan
VP Google India
↑
EA to Dell Chairman
↑
Engineer
Mary Barra
CEO of General Motors
↑
EA to GM Chairman
↑
Engineer
✨ Elvis Presley was discovered by Marion Keisker (EA before the term came into use) ✨
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS

8. “Assistants, save time and time is money.”
Donald J. Trump
“The devil’s in the details. Details aren’t menial.”
Simon Sinek, Best Seller Author
“Great leaders can do anything, but not everything”
Rusul Hasani, EA
“She focuses on the details; I focus on the business issues.”
Thomas W. White, CEO of Verizon
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS

9. © Reagon Consulting Leadership series
-49
-30
-27
-24
-10
-5
-3
8
9
30
36
37
-60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50
Operationn Management
Financial Management
Carrier Relations
Sales MGmt / Leadership
Managing Direct Reports
Ins industry event
Corporate Marketing
Community Relations
Business Development
Key Employees Recruiting
Investment / Acquisition
Setting Vision / Strategy
Less More
What Top CEOs want to spend more/less time on
(as a % of time currently spend)
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS

10. Studies show that workers are only
productive three to six hours a day1,2
Are routine tasks and follow-up the highest value work that could
be done by a business leader?
🤔
Surely, no.
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
THE KEY ⎯ BETTER TIME ALLOCATION.
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS
1 : In an 8-Hour Day, the Average Worker Is Productive for This Many Hours
https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/in-an-8-hour-day-the-average-worker-is-productive-for-this-many-hours.html
2 : The Case for the 6-Hour Workday
https://hbr.org/2018/12/the-case-for-the-6-hour-workday

11. HARD SKILLS: SOFT SKILLS:
……. ………
……. ………
……. ………
……. ………
……. ………
PART 01 ⎯ THE EA.
“It is so hard to get a clear definition of the job from anyone who
hasn’t functioned in that role. Everyone has an idea of some of the
things executive assistants do daily, but not many can comprehend
the full spectrum of the role and how daunting the sheer volume of
their responsibilities are. ”
- Jan Jones, EA & Author
WHAT IS AN EA?
WHY DO YOU NEED AN EA?
RESPONIBILITIES / SKILLS
Integrity, loyalty and confidentiality are most important.
Everything else can be taught.

12. The EA is my eyes and ears.
John Chambers, Chairman of Cisco

13. This is what will tell you about me...
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ Me as an EA
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP

14. EA
BSc of
Biomedical
Engineering
Multidisciplinary Engineering
Activities
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP

15. This is what will not tell you about me...
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP

16. EA
BSc of
Biomedical
Engineering
Proposals Engineer
Prestigious
Scholarship
awarded to
Germany
(Not attended)
Intern,
Employed
before
graduation
Coordinator in
auditing
sessions
Proposal for
Winning
Projects in
Health, oil &
gas, power
sectors
Sourcing for
Micro to Mega
projects
Self-Taught
Professional
Graphic
Designer
Writer for the
university
magazine
Member of the
Entrepreneurship
uni. Society
(Offered a job at
the university)
Coordination
of ASME
Certification
Process
Effectiveness
and efficiency
office
operations
Drafting
procedures
and
governance
policies
Used my collective
industry knowledge
to design
management
techniques, analyze
problems and find
solutions
Policy /
Procedure
developing
CAPM and ISO
training
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
Business
Development
Coordination
Multiple
incentives for
initiative

17. Once upon a time, in 2019 B.C 1…
A pivotal chapter in my professional journey unfolded. I stepped into the board
office as a promising proposal engineer, initially intending to fill a temporary
vacancy for a brief duration. I did not foresee that this seemingly short-term
role would transform into my Mission Impossible for the coming years.
The designation at hand was devoid of vitality, a mere shell of the organization
it represented. The titles assigned to the position ranged from "secretary" to
"office manager." The tasks assigned to this role demanded only the most basic
intellectual capacity. Here is where I introduced the EA position for the first
time aiming to elevate this role to the esteemed executive level it truly
deserved.
Fast-forward to today; I came a decent way from day 0, Although my ongoing
endeavor to faithfully mirror the executive nature of my job persists, there
remains a vast untapped potential for creating even greater value.
________________
1 : Before Covid-19
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS .

18. PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
But .. it wasn’t all romantic …

19. EXPECTATION REALITY
After years of tackling stereotypes, blowing-off
some I-can-do-it steam, and ruffling feathers in the
company…
PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
VS.

20. Finally, I could utilize my 5+ years of inside experience (Engineering and
non-engineering) to play a significant role in initiating organizational
development efforts using different approaches (CAPA, ISO, CAPM, my soft
and hard skills.. Etc)
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
BOARD
STAFF
CEO
EA

21. Business Development
Conducted thorough
business intelligence and
analysis of clients and key
players in the industry to
identify market trends and
opportunities for company
repositioning, utilizing
various market research
tools in power, oil and gas
and water sectors e.g DMS
MEED and building our own
data base of market data
and information.
Victor Hugo Victor Hugo
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
Headhunting
Recruitment and
headhunting by attracting
top leadership talents to
fill critical vacancies
across various
departments, ensuring a
strong and talented
workforce to drive the
business and enrich the
culture.
Organizational
Development
Defined development
opportunities/lessons
learned on many levels;
managerial, functional, and
cultural and submitted
reports/presentations to
the Board with strategic
solutions. Designed a RACI
matrix in an effort to
dissolve a conflict of
authority.

22. Victor Hugo Victor Hugo
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
Sourcing & Proposals
Skills
Five years of experience
as a Commercial Engineer
spearheaded the PEW
sourcing activities for the
first flaring gas recovery
project in Iraq / Nassirya-
Gharraf oilfields (Client:
Baker Hughes) with an
estimated budget of
130MUSD reaching the final
two shortlisted
competitors.
Project Coordiantion
Coordinated the ASME
certifications process
(Highest safety and
quality standard in
Mechanical Engineering),
resulting in the
achievement of three
industry-recognized
certificates, positioning
the company as the first
company in Iraq with such
multiple distinctions.
Marketing Skills
Used my graphic design
expertise to redesign
logos of the company and
its affiliates, Company
profiles, video editing,
reports, and Presentations
and provided technical and
marketing copywriting and
participated in event
management.

23. PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
APPRECIATION LETTERS
Designed a responsibilities matrix to dissolve a
conflict of authority.
Project Coordination of ASME Certification
Process (First Company in Iraq to acquire 3 ASME
certificates; A, PP, R)

24. PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
SAMPLES OF APPRECIATION LETTERS
Crafting Necessary Policies, Procedures and using
engineering techniques to find managerial solutions
Efficiently managing and coordinating events within
tight schedules and budgets while also actively
participating in the creation of comprehensive Video and
Company Profiles including data collection, analysis,
visualizing, storytelling, technical and marketing
copywriting.
Board appreciation for Covid-19 safety measures
implemented at our office in Amman 2020
& more….

25. PART 02 >> EA.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP
A growing interest in AI
to support my day to
day operations and part
of (Women in Ai)
community
Ai is now and everywhere.

26. THE EA.
EMPOWERMENT
Communication, constructive feedback, mentorship, context,
involvement, delegation, growth opportunity etc
How Do I work
MY TOOLBOX
Processes, networking, priorities, reports, action plans,
management theories, training Project management apps, Ai
tools, my sharp gadgets etc
MY VALUES
Creativity, Positivity, integrity, gratefulness, constant
learning, aspirations, fit mind and body etc
MY LITTLE SECRET I owe a lot of my achievements to my magical elixir;
Earl Grey Cup of Tea 🙌❤‍
I’m interested in the elimination, simplifying, automation of tasks.
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP

27. From
Executive Assistant.
to
Assistant Executive.
My NEXT LEAP is to transform
Through executive education, business polish, stepping outside my
comfort zones, developing a business mindset, learning directly from
business leaders and …
faith is my ✨North Star✨
PART 02 ⎯ EA.
RUSUL VS. GOOGLE
A TALE OF TWO CAREERS
HOW I DO MY WORK
MY NEXT LEAP

28. The role of leadership is to transform the complex
situation into small pieces and prioritize them.
Carlos Ghosn, A fugitive Nissan leader

29. BUSINESS
CULTURE
TECHNICAL
WHAT IS OUR PRIORITY
”Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
- Roosevelt
PART 03 ⎯ PROPOSED
BUSINESS RECOVERY PLAN
BUSINESS PRIORITIES
BUSINESS STARTEGY
NEW CULTURE DICTIONARY

30. REAL REFORM BEGINS WITHIN
BUSINESS PRIORITIES
BUSINESS STARTEGY
NEW CULTURE DICTIONARY
PART 03 ⎯ RECOVERY PLAN

31. STAGE 01
WE-MUST-WIN-WORK stage
*
A
W
A
R
D
I
N
G
*
STAGE 02
KEEP-UP-THE-MOMENTUM stage
STAGE 03
TURNING-WHISPER-INTO-A ROAR
STAGE 04
SUSTAIN-UP
FOCUS
DEPARTMENTS
1. Business development
2. Tendering & Pricing
3. Sales & Marketing
4. Project Management
5. Financial Management
6. Human resources
More Structured
7. IT
8. Adminsitration
-
PRIORITY
Opportunities development & increase
market penetration
Delegation
Hiring the right people
Financial Management
Business Development (local
and abroad)
Status quo
looking for multiple revenue
streams
-
TOUGHEST
DECISIONS
well-defined strategy, Framework and
time frame (e.g 2022-2023)
Data, People & Cash Infrastructure & digitization -
CHALLENGE
Building core teams
Reaching out clients
Lessons Learned
Leadership Financial Management -
CHAOS UNRAVELED: A PROPOSED BUSINESS PRIORITIES (STUDY CASE)
See: Appendix A, B, C

32. MARKETS
SERVICES:
* EXISTING MODIFIED or TOTALLY NEW
EXISTING
undisclosed undisclosed
MODIFIED
or
TOTALLY
NEW
undisclosed undisclosed
CHAOS UNRAVELED :
A PROPOSED BUSINESS
PRIORITIES
↓
70%
Core Business in
Existing Services & Market
20%
Modified Services & Market
10%
New Services & Market
Growth Opportunities - ANSOFF Matrix

33. CHAOS UNRAVELED: NEW CULTURE DICTIONARY
↓
TEAMS instead of DEPTARTMENTS
PERFORMANCE instead of APPEARANCE
IDEAS-GENERATING instead of RECEIVING
STRUCTURE instead of CHAOS
TARGETING & BENCHMARKING instead of GENERALITY
STRATEGY instead of SPONTANEITY
SENSE OF URGENCY instead of PANIC
*insert here* *insert here* *insert here*
Culture = Values, people, decicion makers, back stories, standards, reward & punishment system

34. A busy calendar and a busy mind will destroy your
ability to do great things in this world.
Naval Ravikant, Entrepreneur and investor

35. The job of 'executive assistant' has a lot more potential than the title suggests :
https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/careers/story/career-job-of-executive-assistant-profile-
37186-2013-03-30
Things I Carry: Smart Phone? I Prefer a Brilliant Assistant
Things I Carry: Smart Phone? I Prefer a Brilliant Assistant
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20130402091536-204068115-things-i-carry-smart-phone-i-prefer-a-
brilliant-assistant
Who’s minding the CEO?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704198004575310720012200614
The illuminati of CEOs' assistants
https://archive.fortune.com/2009/08/19/magazines/fortune/seraphic_society_assistants_ceos.fortune
/index.htm
The CEO's Secret Weapon How Great Leaders and Their Assistants Maximize Productivity &
Effectiveness
http://www.theceossecretweapon.com
In an 8-Hour Day, the Average Worker Is Productive for This Many Hours
https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/in-an-8-hour-day-the-average-worker-is-productive-for-this-many-hours.html
The Case for the 6-Hour Workday
https://hbr.org/2018/12/the-case-for-the-6-hour-workday
PART 04 ⎯ WRAP-UP.
REFERENCES

36. Thank you
✨
rusul.alhasani@gmail.com | @rusulhasani