The CEO’s Secret Weapon: How Great Leaders and Their Assistants Maximize Productivity and Effectiveness

by Jan Jones

Many executives don't take full advantage of the assistant who sits right outside their door. This book educates executives about all the ways in which they can streamline and improve the way they work with the help of a great assistant, while teaching them to identify great candidates and maximize the benefits of this special relationship.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Management, Professional Development

234 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Jan Jones was bringing disruptive innovation to the executive assistant role long before the term came into use. An iconoclast and original thinker, Jan shows executives how they can capitalize on the skills and talents of an exceptional executive assistant, what are the must-have characteristics executives should be looking for in a top-notch assistant and why they should not settle for anything less.

Jan’s vision of the pivotal role a high performing executive assistant plays in the business world demonstrates to assistants how they, too, can apply their passion and knowledge to become a cutting-edge executive assistant.

Reviews

[Erin Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It provides some helpful practical tips and insight on the assistant/boss relationship. However, it takes a one-size-fits-all approach and asks assistants to sacrifice all individuality and boundaries on the altar of appeasing their boss and furthering their success. The ends do not justify the means.

[Jason Lovelady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although most of Jan's examples are related to experiences with the Uber wealthy CEO, I believe this book serves as an inspiration to all EA's and Executives who are striving to reach the next level.

The book is an excellent read and I will be recommending it to my fellow Vistage CEO's.

[Lisa Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch my full video review at https://youtu.be/AT1x2sJnUZ4

In September 2020, I reviewed the books that helped me to build the Dream Team I have today. Business leadership and team building are one of my favorite parts of being a CEO. I also share how I found and use a highly skilled executive assistant to improve my own productivity. I share about how I have searched for and added team members, how we delegate, and how we are navigating the different stages of building a business.

I learned so much from The CEO’s Secret Weapon: How Great Leaders and Their Assistants Maximize Productivity and Effectiveness by Jan Jones. In 2015, I hired Pat as my executive assistant and my first official W-2 employee. She came to me with extensive experience as a corporate executive. This book helped me to change my mindset and to understand the skills that a true executive assistant can do for a CEO of a corporation. The EA knows and manages details to keep me on track and move me toward success. If you are looking for your first hire or to level up your business, this book is for you!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than an EA

The best part about this book for me was reading that there is potential and growth beyond the traditional assistant role. If you can't imagine or see how that can be, this book helps give real life examples on how to go beyond the surface of the role.

[Omar Nizam · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Book Review: "The CEO's Secret Weapon" by Jan Jones -📚

Author Jan Jones starts right at the beginning by giving an overview of the history of personal assistants / secretaries and their eventual evolution into their modern equivalent: the EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.

The author goes to great lengths to document the stories / careers of exceptional Assistants to legendary Executives: from Donald Trump to Richard Branson; and from her own experience with Tony Robbins to the story of how an EA helped kickstart the career of Elvis Presley.

No doubt the book will be of great value to both CXO level Executives and their Assistants alike.

The only negative critique I have is that the book at times appears to oversell the core message at every instance: i.e. that EAs are important.

This comes across as unnecessary, as the reader is already invested in the idea within the first one or two chapters. Hence, the repetition leaves the reader feeling slightly exasperated at what can only be described as overkill.

Nevertheless, it doesn't take away from what is truly a great book that gives a fitting tribute to the role and importance of the Executive Assistant.

My rating: 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Saurabh Arora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book it validated about expectations that I have had in my mind from my executive assistant. Before reading this book I thought I was being unreasonable and expecting too much from the role of my executive assistant.

[Gregg R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a CEO of a growing company and this book helped me understand what type of assistant I need.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical. Makes you realize how vital a great exec asst is!

[Liz Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Lot's of good tips for both CEO's and Assistants.

[William Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this earlier this year.

Super helpful for admin assistants. So if you are an admin assistant, especially to an executive or someone comparable, it’s worth your time.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An executive and EA relationship is a true partnership is built on trust, integrity and drive. If you find the right partner, keep them. It’s worth it - and from what I hear - pretty rare. It was worth the read and worth knowing that I found my passion and partnership. Now I fight like hell to keep it.

[kiku · Rating 3 out of 5]

anyone considering such a role should read this first. Conclusion: the EA needs to work as hard as the CEO.......