Decode Your Boss: A Smart, Easy Way for Executive Assistants to Identify Their Manager’s Leadership Style

Executive Assistants are some of the most dedicated, passionate professionals out there, and one of the greatest tools we have is understanding the person we support. It takes years to master, yet we’re often expected to 'read their mind' from the very first week on the job.

What makes an Executive Assistant such a powerful force is that we know things about everyone and everything (we’re like holiday luggage packed for two weeks for unpredictable weather!). Knowing your executive’s work style makes a huge difference, it’s essential! It forms the foundation for how you communicate, structure their day, deliver information, and respond to unexpected situations.

In this blog, I’ve created a quick and fun (but surprisingly accurate) quiz to help you identify your executive’s leadership style. Based on just a few questions, you’ll start to see patterns that explain why they operate the way they do and how you can support them more effectively. I’ve also included tips from my own experience and reasoning that might help along the way.

Each response points to a specific leadership style. Tally the styles at the end to reveal their dominant type. I hope you enjoy it and have fun decoding your boss!

Part 1: The Micro-Quiz for Insight

This isn’t a complex psychological assessment, just a few simple, observation-based questions to help you get started. Please take a pen and paper to track the points. Reveal the answer by pressing the drop-down button.

1. How do they prefer to receive updates?

Short bullet points via email

Management style +1 Analyst

In-person or casual check-ins 

Management style +1 Visionary

Structured reports and summaries

Management style +1 Operator

Only when something goes wrong 

Management style +1 Firefighter

Big-picture updates tied to goals

Management style +1 Strategist

2. When a problem arises, what do they expect?

A list of options with data 

Management style +1 Analyst

A quick, direct solution 

Management style +1 Firefighter

A collaborative brainstorm

Management style +1 Visionary

A plan with delegated tasks 

Management style +1 Operator

A decision that aligns with the bigger goal 

Management style +1 Strategist

3. How do they typically handle pressure?

Get hyper-focused and ignore distractions 

Management style +1 Analyst

Rush and jump into tasks themselves 

Management style +1 Firefighter

Take a step back to think long-term

Management style +1 Strategist

Lean on systems and routines

Management style +1 Operator

Talk things out and bounce ideas

Management style +1 Visionary

4.  How do they treat meetings?

As opportunities for clarity and precision

Management style +1 Analyst

As interruptions, unless urgent 

Management style +1 Firefighter

As necessary checkpoints 

Management style +1 Operator

As creative, collaborative sessions 

Management style +1 Visionary

As strategic alignment tools 

Management style +1 Strategist

Part 2: The EA Strategy Game

Think of a recent week and assign one or more points where you think it fits based on these scenarios:

Scenario	Points
They rescheduled three meetings last-minute	+2 Visionary
They asked for a detailed summary before a meeting	+2 Analyst
They delegated a big project with minimal direction	+2 Strategist
They hovered over a task you had already handled	+2 Operator
They didn't respond to a message for hours	+2 Firefighter
They sent you a message at midnight with a new idea	+2 Visionary
They said “You’ll figure it out” and walked into their next meeting	+2 Strategist
They pivoted their plans multiple times in one day	+2 Firefighter
They spent more time planning than executing	+2 Analyst
They jumped in to "fix" something instead of delegating or trusting the process	+2 Operator
They expected results fast, but gave very little context or instruction	+2 Strategist

Scoring

Count how many times each style appears in your answers.

Tied? They're a hybrid, use both profiles.

The 5 Executive Types and Tips How to Support Them

Reveal more information by pressing the drop-down button.

The Strategist - Big-picture thinker, Vision-focused, Hands-off with execution

• Thrives on high-level goals and long-term outcomes.

• Often vague on details, expects others to “just get it.”

• Delegates quickly and moves on to the next priority.

  
  

  My tips 

  Anticipate needs before they ask, think two steps ahead. They value independence. Show that you’ve “got it” without needing their step-by-step input. Don’t flood them with details.

The Operator - Highly structured, Detail-driven, Process-focused

Traits:

• Has systems for everything and expects you to follow them.

• Notices inconsistencies or inefficiencies immediately.

• Often wants visibility into progress and timelines.

My tips

Operators trust consistency. Become their second brain by mastering their workflow and adding discipline to the chaos. Be ultra-reliable and organised, precision matters more than speed. Check in proactively, give updates before you are asked.

The Visionary - Creative, Fast-moving, Easily distracted

Traits:

• Full of ideas, often more than they can execute.

• May pivot quickly and forget what’s already in motion.

• Struggles with follow-through and details.

My tips

Act as their idea filter and capture, prioritise, and gently steer toward focus. Visionaries thrive on creativity. Help them stay inspired without letting things fall apart behind the scenes. Track loose ends and create structure around their spontaneity. Most important stay flexible, adaptability is your superpower here.

The Firefighter - Urgency-driven, Reactive, Overloaded

Traits:

• Constantly putting out fires, rarely has time to plan.

• May come across as abrupt or chaotic.

• Often forgets to delegate until the last minute.

My tips

Be the calm in their storm. Firefighters deeply appreciate a trusted EA who makes problems go away. Bring clarity to chaos, organise priorities, set realistic expectations, and create buffers for shifting plans. Don’t take their tone personally, it’s stress talking.

The Analyst - Data-first, Cautious, Deep thinker

Traits:

• Needs to understand the “why” before making decisions.

• Slow to commit, but once aligned, deeply loyal.

• Values accuracy, context, and well-reasoned choices.

My tips

Analysts value substance. Build trust by being their reliable, detail-savvy partner who comes prepared. Share decisions with supporting rationale and documentation. Give them time and space to process, emotionally neutral communication works best.

Final Thoughts:

Most executives are a blend of couple different management styles, but there’s usually a dominant type that shapes how they lead. By recognising their natural tendencies and adjusting how you support them, you move from reactive to strategic. Decoding your boss isn’t just smart, it’s the beginning of an extraordinary partnership.