Ep98: Trusted or Relied Upon? Why the Difference Matters for EAs

In Ep98 of The EA Campus Podcast, we discuss the question of whether to trust or rely upon. Why the difference matters for EAs. As Executive Assistants, many of us become the person everybody depends on. We manage the details, keep things moving, solve problems quickly, and often hold together far more than people realise.But there’s an important difference between being relied upon and being trusted.In ep98 of The EA Campus Podcast, Nicky Christmas explores how trust develops in the EA role, why being operationally dependable can sometimes keep us stuck in reactive working patterns, and how stronger Executive partnerships are built through communication, consistency, visibility, and confidence in our thinking. In Ep98, we look at: Why trust and reliance are not the same thingHow EAs become operationally central in organisationsThe shift from task support to a strategic partnershipThe small behaviours that build Executive confidence over timeWhy many experienced EAs already have more influence than they realiseIf you’ve ever felt like your Executive depends on you for everything, but you still want more autonomy, visibility, or strategic involvement, this episode is for you.Resources and links:The Difference Between Being Trusted and Being Relied UponRead more from The EA Campus:10 Micro-Behaviours That Build Executive Trust From Task Manager to Trusted Partner: Building a Strategic Relationship with Your ExecutiveInspiring Trust in Your EA WorkStrategic Business Partner Online CourseUpcoming EA Campus Events The EA Campus