EA loneliness is on the rise, and it’s more common than you think. Being an Executive Assistant can be a uniquely isolating experience, even in the middle of a busy office or a calendar full of Zoom calls. You’re often the person everyone relies on, the steady hand behind the chaos, the one solving problems before they even reach your executive’s inbox.
But while you’re the first to offer help and the last to ask for it, you’re rarely the one others check in on. It’s a high-responsibility, low-visibility role that requires constant output, tight emotional control, and deep discretion. And because you’re so good at what you do, your need for support is often invisible. That invisibility doesn’t mean you’re not struggling—it just means others may not see it.
EA Loneliness can be overcome
According to Forbes, the EA role is evolving into something far more strategic, yet many still feel stuck operating alone, unsupported, and unseen (source). The demands are higher, but the support systems haven’t kept pace. That isolation, if left unaddressed, can lead to burnout, disengagement, or worse…quiet quitting. You may feel like you’re expected to operate like a high-level executive without ever receiving the investment, coaching, or encouragement that leaders often get.
The good news? You are not alone. And more importantly, you don’t have to keep doing it all alone. There are better ways to build support and it starts with recognizing your role deserves it.
Here are 7 powerful ways to beat EA loneliness so many Executive Assistants face and start building the kind of connection that helps you grow, lead, and thrive.
1. Name the Isolation: EA loneliness often goes unspoken
You can’t solve what you don’t name. The first step to overcoming it is acknowledging that it’s real and that it’s valid. Because the EA role demands emotional intelligence, confidentiality, and self-sufficiency, it’s easy to convince yourself that what you’re feeling is just “part of the job.” But it doesn’t have to be. Admitting you’re feeling isolated isn’t a weakness. It’s an act of self-awareness and leadership. It means you’re paying attention to your well-being, and that matters.
Even high-level leaders are speaking out about loneliness in professional roles. Harvard Business Review notes that loneliness at work has become a widespread issue, affecting even the most outwardly successful professionals (source).
The moment you name it, you begin to take away its power. You also open the door to seeking the kind of support that makes a lasting difference.
2. Join a High-Level EA Community – Get serious about overcoming EA loneliness
Generic Facebook groups and passive Slack channels don’t always cut it. If you’re serious about growth, you need a space where people understand the complexity of your role and are also striving to level up. You need real-time conversations, not just static posts. You need community that fuels momentum, not just reactions.
That’s exactly why we built the Kick-Assistant Mastermind. It’s not just another community. It’s a space to connect with smart, driven EAs who are learning, building, and supporting one another. Weekly calls, monthly coaching, plug-and-play systems, live labs, and honest conversations mean you’re not just talking about problems, you’re solving them with people who get it.
When you surround yourself with others committed to growth, you feel less alone and more empowered.
3. Advocate for Professional Development – One of the quickest ways to experience EA loneliness is being left out of growth opportunities
Watching others attend leadership retreats, join masterminds, or participate in professional coaching while you’re expected to just “keep things running” sends a message. One that says your development doesn’t matter.
If your company offers professional development funds but your name is never on the list, it’s time to change that. Make the case for why investing in your role is a strategic move, not a luxury. Show your executive how supporting your growth directly improves their capacity.
Check out this blog on how to get your executive to say yes to professional development for talking points, templates, and a fresh perspective on asking with confidence.
Better yet, download our free PDF built specifically to help you make the case: 9 Reasons Your Executive Should Invest in Your Growth.
When you’re learning and evolving, you’re not just growing your skills. You’re growing your confidence, your support network, and your leadership potential.
4. Build Cross-Department Relationships – EA loneliness often increases when you feel disconnected from the rest of the company
You may be the closest person to your executive, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay siloed.
Too often, EAs work in the shadows. But building relationships across departments helps change that. Join a committee. Offer to support an initiative outside your typical lane. Make time for casual connection with other team members. Invite someone for a virtual coffee or lunch in person.
These relationships do more than create allies. They create a broader sense of belonging. You’ll start to feel seen as part of the organization, not just an extension of one leader.
The more connected you are within the company, the more support you have to lean on.
5. Get a Coach or Mentor – EA loneliness doesn’t always stem from lack of contact—it often comes from a lack of true, trusted support
Sometimes the kind of support you need is more personal. Coaching gives you a safe, confidential space to unpack the hard stuff, celebrate the wins, and build a roadmap for what’s next.
Inside the Kick-Assistant Mastermind, we offer coaching and mentorship because we know that real growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether it’s preparing for a tough conversation, figuring out your next move, or finally building out the systems you’ve been too busy to tackle, having someone in your corner makes all the difference.
Mentorship and coaching provide clarity, and with clarity, confidence follows.
6. Create Systems to Reduce Overwhelm – One of the biggest contributors to EA loneliness is chronic overwhelm
Let’s be honest…loneliness hits harder when everything feels chaotic. When you’re juggling 17 things, keeping mental tabs on everything from flights to finances, and answering to multiple people with zero backup, it’s easy to feel like you’re barely keeping up.
That’s why building solid systems isn’t just about efficiency. It’s also about sanity. Inside the Mastermind, we share templates, SOPs, and workflows that take the guesswork out of your day. You don’t need to create everything from scratch. You just need a reliable foundation.
When your world runs smoother, you create space to breathe, connect, and lead from a place of calm and not constant reactivity.
7. Take Up Space and Own Your Impact – The antidote to EA loneliness often starts with owning your presence and value
Loneliness shrinks when confidence expands. And one of the fastest ways to build that confidence? Start owning your impact.
You are not “just” an assistant. You are a strategic partner, a culture carrier, and the operational engine behind your executive’s success.
It’s time to show up that way. Speak up in meetings. Share your insight. Ask smart questions. Post on LinkedIn. Make suggestions. Give feedback. The more you practice visibility, the more others will see your leadership, and the more connected you’ll feel.
The Mastermind helps reinforce this mindset every single week. Because when you believe in your value, it becomes easier for others to recognize and reward it.
Real Support is Within Reach
EA loneliness in the role is common. But it doesn’t have to be your normal.
With the right mindset, community, tools, and support, you can step out of survival mode and into a place of connection, confidence, and clarity.
If you’re ready to stop figuring it all out alone, the Kick-Assistant Mastermind is here for you.
You deserve more than just praise. You deserve real support.
And it starts now.