Why So Many High Performers Feel Stuck with Joshua Washington

Unlocking Hidden Value: The Power of the Strategic Assistant with Joshua WashingtonIn this powerful episode of the Peopling Podcast, Kristi sits down with organizational psychologist, executive coach, and founder Joshua Washington to explore a game-changing idea: what if the key to unlocking exponential growth in business isn’t hiring more—but elevating who you already have?Joshua shares his journey from a small town in Florida to building a high-impact coaching and consulting firm, and how an unexpected speaking engagement led him to uncover a massive gap in the workplace—one that’s costing leaders time, money, and momentum.Together, they unpack the concept of the Strategic Assistant, the misalignment between executives and their support teams, and how bridging that gap can transform not just businesses—but lives.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why many organizations are unintentionally underutilizing their most valuable peopleThe hidden “gap” between executives and executive assistants—and how it impacts performanceHow the role of the executive assistant is evolving in the age of AIWhat a Strategic Assistant is (and why it changes everything)The power of “career critical conversations” and how they can lead to massive breakthroughsReal-life success stories—including a $5M conversation that changed everythingHow confidence, clarity, and communication unlock untapped potentialWhy investing in yourself—especially during uncertain times—is non-negotiableKey Takeaways1. You’re getting paid to practice.Wherever you are right now isn’t a dead end—it’s a training ground. The real question is: are you developing your value while you’re there?2. Misalignment is expensive.When leaders and their right-hand people aren’t aligned, it costs time, execution, and opportunity. The fix? Clear frameworks and better conversations.3. Confidence comes from clarity.When you understand your value, you show up differently. You communicate differently. And people respond differently.4. Don’t wait for the “breaking point.”Most people only take action when things fall apart. The better move? Take action while things are still “fine.”5. Invest in yourself—especially when it feels risky.When the market tightens, most people pull back. The ones who grow? They lean in.Be the Change Challenge:This week’s challenge is simple—but powerful: Assume value. Walk into every interaction believing the person in front of you has something meaningful, God-given, and necessary inside of them.You don’t have to agree with them. You don’t have to fix them.Just see them—and encourage what you see.You never know what one sentence might unlock in someone’s life.About Our VIP Guest: Joshua WashingtonJoshua Washington is an organizational psychologist, senior executive coach, and creator of the Mission Critical Performance Method. He helps leaders maximize talent, reduce conflict, and accelerate execution in their organizations.He is the founder of Lee Malveaux and EA Pros, where he equips executives and assistants with frameworks that transform how they work together.He is also a speaker, husband, father, and two-time published author.Connect with Joshua:📚 Books:The Strategic Assistant: https://a.co/d/0frYSO96The Mentality of Success: https://a.co/d/001rTT1e🌐 Websites:www.leemalveaux.comhttps://eaproshq.com/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leemalveaux/Connect with Kristi:Website: peoplingwell.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristiservicenowrouzi/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinowrouzi/Get your copy of the Peopling Book: https://a.co/d/0gchzPhdGet your subscription to Growth Day, like having World-Class Coaches in your pocket! https://www.growthday.com/referrals?via=h6l0rtFinal Thought:There are people walking around with untapped potential…And leaders praying for help they already have.The question is— Will you recognize the value sitting right in front of you?