Let’s take a brief detour through history and reimagine an alternative reality where some of the most iconic historical figures had the benefit of a skilled Executive Assistant (EA). Imagine a world where Napoleon Bonaparte, Leonardo da Vinci, and William Shakespeare, to name just a few, had to manage not only their groundbreaking accomplishments but also the day-to-day intricacies of modern office life. If these historical figures had access to the organizational prowess and efficiency that an EA provides, how might their careers—and their lives—have unfolded differently?

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte, renowned for his military genius and a towering figure in history, was as notorious for his strategic brilliance on the battlefield as he was for his forceful political tactics. His rise to power demanded a sharp mind, a commanding presence, and an eye for details. As his Executive Assistant (EA), you'd find yourself in the midst of an endless whirlwind of strategic maneuvers—both military and diplomatic. While Napoleon was preoccupied with expansion, conquest, and political power, the real work of organizing and managing his empire's operations would fall on you.

Your primary responsibility would be overseeing a constant stream of urgent requests from his generals, diplomatic correspondence, and a barrage of emails. You'd need to ensure smooth communications while keeping an eye on both the immediate needs of Napoleon’s military efforts and the longer-term goals of his empire. But being Napoleon’s EA would require much more than just a high level of organizational skill—it would require the agility to manage his unique, and at times eccentric, demands.

A typical email from Napoleon might read:

“Dear EA, please reschedule my meeting with the King of Prussia. It is of utmost importance that we discuss new territorial boundaries, but I need extra time to finish reading my memoirs. Make sure that His Majesty refers to me as ‘Your Majesty’ no fewer than twice during our discussion. This is critical for maintaining proper decorum.”

With Napoleon’s large ego and unpredictable schedule, your day would involve a balancing act of diplomacy, urgency, and precision. You’d have to juggle crucial military communications, such as arranging peace talks, while also managing personal matters like drafting letters to his wife, Josephine. Amidst all this, you’d be responsible for keeping track of vital documents, reports, and contracts that could change the course of history with a single mistake.

Your workload would be intense: organizing logistics for war councils, coordinating meetings with European leaders, and scheduling all-important diplomatic discussions. Every interaction would have to be carefully crafted, ensuring that Napoleon’s requests were always met with efficiency, respect, and finesse. One wrong email, or a minor mistake in organizing these important discussions, could lead to a diplomatic fallout—something that could reshape the political landscape.

As an EA to Napoleon, you'd be tasked with not only managing his schedule but also protecting his legacy by crafting messages that reinforced his authority and kept his ambitions on track. You’d need to understand the balance of power, navigate delicate international politics, and still ensure that every meeting and communication was executed flawlessly—no matter how bizarre or complex the request. In other words, you'd have to be a master of diplomacy, organization, and precision in every aspect of your role.

The job would come with high stakes, but no one could say it would ever be dull.

Leonardo da Vinci

As one of the most brilliant minds in history, Leonardo da Vinci’s life was an ongoing journey of innovation and discovery. A true polymath, he mastered numerous disciplines, from painting the iconic Mona Lisa to designing intricate military machinery and exploring the possibilities of human flight. His mind was constantly at work, producing a relentless stream of ideas that often couldn’t be constrained by the mundane tasks of daily life. This is where the role of the Executive Assistant (EA) becomes critical.

Imagine being the EA to someone like Leonardo da Vinci—your job would be more than just scheduling meetings or managing emails. You’d be responsible for keeping pace with his boundless creativity while ensuring that his many projects didn’t fall behind. You’d have to juggle an impressive list of artistic, scientific, and military endeavors, all while ensuring deadlines were met and external stakeholders remained satisfied.

A typical day as Leonardo’s EA might involve receiving requests like this:

“Dear EA, I’ve had a breakthrough idea for a flying machine, but please remind me that I should finish Mona Lisa before diving into this latest invention. The Duke has begun asking about its completion, so if you could also keep him at bay while I finalize the design for my mechanical lion, that would be ideal. Also, don’t forget to follow up on the military contract and ensure the sketches are sent to the right people.”

The key challenge in supporting Leonardo would be managing the chaotic whirlwind of tasks, from arranging meetings with patrons to overseeing the completion of commissions like The Last Supper. You’d need to anticipate his bursts of inspiration and creativity, knowing when to step in with gentle reminders about deadlines and when to let him follow his impulses. You’d be part scheduler, part taskmaster, and part personal cheerleader, always striving to keep him on track while nurturing his unrestrained genius.

Not only would you need to be incredibly organized, but you’d also have to embrace a flexible and adaptive mindset. One minute, you might be finalizing plans for a dinner with Renaissance nobility, and the next, you’d be helping him with his latest scientific invention. As an EA to such an extraordinary individual, you'd need to maintain a balance between structure and spontaneity, never letting the many irons in the fire fall through the cracks.

Your role would also require you to manage the endless correspondence that came with being da Vinci—whether it was letters from influential patrons, feedback from royal courts, or inquiries from other inventors and scholars eager to collaborate. Keeping track of his intricate schedules and prioritizing tasks would demand both meticulous attention to detail and a keen understanding of his overarching goals.

In many ways, being Leonardo da Vinci’s EA would be a test of patience, adaptability, and foresight. You’d be the linchpin that held his world together, ensuring that every project—from The Last Supper to his sketches for a flying machine—was advancing smoothly, despite the challenges of his restless and brilliant mind.

The role of an EA to a polymath like Leonardo da Vinci is a fascinating thought experiment for modern-day executive assistants. It serves as a reminder of how critical the support structure behind influential minds is in allowing them to focus on their areas of genius. With the right balance of organization, flexibility, and understanding, the role of an EA could transform even the most chaotic workdays into a smooth-sailing journey toward success.

In the ever-evolving landscape of executive support, it’s important to embrace both the routine and the unexpected. Whether managing your boss's creative inspirations or coordinating with stakeholders, the ability to stay organized and adaptable remains one of the most valuable skills an Executive Assistant can possess.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, the world-renowned playwright, spent much of his time immersed in his creative process. His life was a whirlwind of writing, producing, and performing plays, leaving little room for the mundane logistical tasks that come with managing such an extensive workload. Much like modern-day creatives who juggle tight deadlines, last-minute changes, and ongoing collaborations, Shakespeare faced similar challenges. As his Executive Assistant, you would have been responsible for handling the logistical chaos, leaving him free to focus on his passion: creating timeless art.

As his EA, your days would be filled with the fast-paced demands of the theatre world. Shakespeare was known for his relentless creativity and constant revisions, often tweaking his scripts right up until the final performance.

A typical request from him might look something like this:

“Pray, good EA, couldst thou arrange a private reading of Hamlet at the Globe this very night? The Queen shall grace us with her presence, and I desire her counsel, as well as the actors' thoughts upon the play. And whilst thou art at it, make haste to inform the publishers that Macbeth draweth near completion, though I am inclined to alter the ending yet again. Spare no effort in making swift arrangements, for time is of the essence.”

This would be a daily occurrence—managing rehearsals, coordinating with actors, and organizing performances. You’d need to maintain a precise calendar of rehearsals while also keeping track of frequent rewrites. Actors would likely come to you with requests to alter lines, and you’d have to ensure everyone stayed on cue, despite Shakespeare's penchant for sudden changes.

Moreover, dealing with Shakespeare’s literary network would be no small feat. You’d be liaising with publishers, arranging meetings, and fielding feedback from both critics and admirers. But your real challenge would be keeping track of his constant bursts of inspiration, ensuring that every word of every script was up to his standards. Even after the final curtain call, Shakespeare could change his mind about the direction of a play. As his Executive Assistant, your role would be to adapt to these changes, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Managing the daily demands of a genius like William Shakespeare would be no small feat. The constant revisions, creative bursts, and last-minute changes would require an EA who was more than just organized—they would need to be a problem solver, a diplomat, and a master of time management. If you could keep Shakespeare’s world running smoothly, you’d be the unsung hero behind every performance, ensuring his creative genius could shine through without a hitch.

Would you be up for the task? If you can handle the pressure of working with one of the greatest playwrights in history, you might just have what it takes to be an EA to the Bard himself.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein revolutionized our understanding of the universe with theories that challenged the boundaries of science and reshaped modern physics. But behind the towering intellect was an eccentric, absent-minded individual who often struggled with the mundane tasks of daily life. If Einstein had an Executive Assistant, they would have been the unsung hero keeping the wheels of his genius turning.

Picture this: Einstein deep in thought, chalk in hand, scribbling equations that would later define the theory of relativity—while his mismatched socks lay forgotten in a corner. Managing Einstein’s life would have required unparalleled patience, adaptability, and a knack for turning chaos into order.

As his EA, you’d juggle more than just meetings and deadlines. You’d need to keep him on track for lectures, coordinate correspondence with other scientific luminaries, and manage his unpredictable bursts of inspiration.

A typical email from Einstein might have read something like:

“Dear EA, I've had a breakthrough on quantum mechanics! Before you send my paper to the universities, could you kindly remind me to locate my socks? It seems my focus on unraveling the mysteries of the universe has made them vanish from my attention.”

Your job wouldn’t stop there. Einstein was famously disorganized and often lost track of time. You’d need to ensure he showed up for events, remembered key anniversaries (both scientific and personal), and didn’t forget to eat lunch in the middle of discovering the next great scientific breakthrough.

Einstein’s schedule would have been a patchwork of interviews, lectures, and meetings with peers. Coordinating his time would have been a masterclass in flexibility and problem-solving. Handling press inquiries would have been especially delicate—balancing his aversion to fame with his growing reputation as the world’s leading physicist.

Occasionally, you’d need to shield him from distractions, ensuring he had the mental space to ponder the complexities of space-time. Other times, you’d be coaxing him to engage with the world outside his equations.

Einstein’s contributions to science were immeasurable, but his personal quirks and absent-mindedness made him an endearing figure. As his EA, you would have played a pivotal role in keeping his genius accessible to the world—organizing his life so that he could continue unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.

Managing Einstein wouldn’t have been easy, but it would have been a rewarding journey. Balancing the mundane with the monumental, you’d ensure his brilliance reached its full potential.

Frida Kahlo

As an artist whose life was as colorful and complex as her paintings, Frida Kahlo’s EA would navigate a whirlwind of creativity, personal drama, and logistical challenges. Her vivid personality, passionate artistry, and turbulent relationships would demand a deft touch, not just to organize her professional life but to support her emotional and physical well-being. You’d act as the bridge between her intimate world of artistic expression and the broader audience that adored her work, ensuring her art was presented authentically while managing the intricate details of her busy schedule.

Beyond gallery openings and exhibitions, you’d handle sensitive communications with collectors, journalists, and collaborators, all while safeguarding the deeply personal nature of her creations. Working for Frida would mean not just managing logistics but also acting as a trusted confidant, offering stability amid the storm of her personal and professional life.

A typical day might involve:

“Make sure the gallery opening for next month is confirmed, and ensure my paintings are arranged in the order I’ve envisioned—every detail carries meaning. Each brushstroke must tell my story, as it was meant to be told. Also, send Diego a note—polite but firm—reminding him that dinner starts on time. If he’s late, he’ll find himself dining alone this week.”

With her work being deeply personal, any misstep in representation could tarnish the legacy she worked so hard to create.

Then there’s her personal life. Frida’s fiery relationship with Diego Rivera would have you playing referee on more occasions than you’d like. Drafting tactful yet pointed correspondence, managing the chaos of their intertwined careers, and even ensuring her living environment remained conducive to her creativity would be part of your day-to-day.

Her ongoing health challenges would add another layer of complexity. You’d liaise with doctors, schedule treatments, and ensure she had the space and support she needed to work through both the physical pain and emotional struggles that inspired much of her art.

Balancing Frida’s vibrant artistic spirit with her practical needs would require an understanding of her emotional depth and creative process. You’d need to be empathetic yet firm, as well as adaptable enough to pivot between managing gallery contracts and being a confidant during her moments of vulnerability.

Being Frida Kahlo’s EA would mean stepping into a world as surreal and poignant as her paintings, where every detail matters, and every decision contributes to the legacy of an artist who defined individuality, resilience, and boundless creativity.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm—a leader who tackled both political challenges and physical feats with unparalleled determination. Known for his "strenuous life" philosophy, Roosevelt approached every task with vigor, whether it was a policy debate in Congress or a hike through rugged terrain. As his EA, your job wouldn’t just be about keeping up with his dynamic schedule—it would be about anticipating his next move, no matter how unpredictable. His insatiable curiosity and relentless drive meant that no two days were the same; one moment he might be drafting conservation policies, and the next he could be rallying support for military reforms or leading an expedition into uncharted wilderness. Roosevelt's larger-than-life personality demanded a level of precision and adaptability that would challenge even the most seasoned assistant.

A common request might read:

“Schedule a meeting with Congress to discuss conservation efforts, but ensure it doesn’t conflict with my bear hunt next week. Also, prepare a list of national parks to visit—there’s still so much wilderness to protect!”

Your mornings might start with organizing policy briefings or drafting key speeches, only to pivot midday to coordinating logistics for his next hunting trip or horseback ride. Roosevelt was also a prolific writer, so you'd likely spend hours reviewing manuscripts, managing correspondence, and making sure his books and articles were submitted on time.

But his love for the outdoors wouldn’t just be a passion—it was integral to his presidency. You’d need to ensure he stayed on top of his environmental policies, like the creation of the U.S. Forest Service or the establishment of new national parks. On any given day, you might find yourself juggling meetings with conservationists, liaising with lawmakers, and coordinating travel plans for his next expedition—all while making sure his public appearances stayed flawlessly executed.

The challenge wouldn’t just be managing his time but also supporting his legendary resilience. Roosevelt famously delivered a 90-minute speech after being shot during a campaign event—imagine trying to convince him to take even a single day off! His tenacity was matched only by his curiosity, so you’d also need to accommodate his thirst for knowledge and love for intellectual discussions.

From conserving America's wilderness to navigating the rough-and-tumble world of politics, being Roosevelt’s EA would be as thrilling and relentless as the man himself. You’d not only need to keep pace with his adventures but also share his vision of leaving the world a better place. For Roosevelt, every day was an opportunity to push boundaries—and you’d be right there with him, ensuring his legacy of progress and conservation endured.

Could You Handle It?

The role of an Executive Assistant to such monumental historical figures would be far from ordinary. Each day would present unique challenges—whether you were responding to Napoleon’s grandiose demands or assisting Leonardo da Vinci with his endless creative pursuits. The sheer unpredictability of these roles would test your organization, adaptability, and communication skills to their limits.

Being an EA to these historical icons would require resilience, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of their personalities and ambitions. After all, in every chaotic email thread, unscheduled meeting, and diplomatic faux pas, an EA’s ability to juggle multiple priorities and maintain calm in the storm is what ensures success. Could you handle the task? Perhaps—if you could keep up with their larger-than-life personalities, a never-ending stream of correspondence, and their grand aspirations.

In the end, the unsung heroes of history might just be those who kept the world’s greatest minds on track. So, next time you're managing a complex schedule or navigating an unpredictable workday, remember: it could always be worse—you could be writing emails for Napoleon.

What If Historical Figures Had EAs? (Imagine Writing Napoleon’s Emails!)