Interview with Jacelyn Ng

This week I am so excited to be interviewing Jacelyn Ng. Jacelyn and I have been connected on LinkedIn for a while and I am really looking forward to sharing her story with you.

Jacelyn, your bio mentions a mindset shaped by early morning gym sessions. How does that mindset translate into your daily work as an Executive Assistant, especially in the fast-paced environment?

Yes! My gym session is really my mantra! Hahaha. Waking up early gives me fresh energy and keeps me sharp through the day. For me, the gym is not just about fitness - it’s also therapy. It clears my mind, resets my focus, and gives me the discipline to face whatever comes at work.

Every workout teaches me something. Some days I push heavier weights, building strength rep by rep. Other days, it feels like I’m just getting through the motions. And that’s ok – its all part of progress.

Being an EA feels the same. Some days are light, some days are wild and non-stop, full of unexpected turns. Just like in the gym, you have to show up, stay adaptable, and trust that each step builds you stronger. That mindset keeps me flexible, steady, and ready in a fast-paced environment.

You firmly believe that EAs are trusted partners who help build momentum behind the scenes. Can you share a specific example of a time you went beyond administrative tasks to help build that momentum, and what was the outcome?

One example was when I was tasked to organize a charity activity for our team. It started off as logistics - finding the charity, handling sign-ups, and managing the details. But for me, it was more than that. It was about giving our team a chance to do something meaningful together, outside of the usual work routine.

I worked with executives to choose a cause, arranged the schedule so it fit our busy calendar. The event ran smoothly, and the charity benefited -the team did feel good knowing we gave back together.

For me, that’s what building momentum means. It’s not just about getting tasks done, but creating experiences that move the team forward together.

You're passionate about helping others in the EA space grow and feel seen. What's one piece of advice you consistently give to other EAs who feel they are stuck in a "task manager" role and want to be seen as a strategic partner?

Oh yes! I always believe our EA community is strong - we have so much to learn from each other and grow from one another. I often say: if you are already protecting your leader’s time and thinking two steps ahead, you are already showing strategic thinking.

The real shift comes when you stop seeing yourself only as a “doer” and start seeing yourself as a thinker. And one way to do that is by changing how you frame your sentences.

If you say “I booked a meeting,” it sounds like a task. But if you say “I created space so the team could make decisions faster,” it shows your impact. Same action, but very different meaning. This small change in language, plus taking baby steps to learn your leader’s priorities and share your wins, helps people see you not just as an assistant, but as a true partner.

It may feel a bit weird at first to frame your sentences this way, but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes. And once you start, you’ll notice people respond differently - they start to see you as someone who drives outcomes, not just tasks.

In your own career, how do you approach continuous learning and professional development to ensure you are always ready for the next challenge?

For me, continuous learning is about staying curious and connected. I enjoy talking with EAs from different regions, because every chat gives me new ideas - whether it’s a tool they’re trying, a way they solve problems, or just how they manage their day. These little exchanges always give me a fresh perspective.

I also subscribe to different EA newsletters (including yours, Darcy! 😊). Many of them share simple but powerful tips, and sometimes it’s that one sentence that makes me think in a new way.

On top of that, I invest in my own growth through courses and certifications, like CWCA and PACE, and I join workshops whenever I can. I also mentor other EAs, and honestly, I learn just as much from mentoring as I do from being mentored. Teaching forces me to reflect on my own habits, and it sharpens how I think.

Even in daily work, I make it a point to pause and reflect - what went well, what could be better. That reflection helps me turn everyday moments into lessons.

All these small steps - connecting, reading, learning, teaching, and reflecting - keep me growing. And that’s what makes me feel ready for whatever challenge comes next.

As you look to the future, what's one trend or skill that you believe will be most crucial for administrative professionals to develop in the coming years?

With AI coming into play, I believe the key skill for EAs is making meaning from the noise. AI can schedule or sort, but it cannot read the room, sense tension, or see the unspoken things that might throw a plan off.

As EAs, we often catch what others miss. Maybe it’s spotting that two meetings are about to clash in priorities or noticing when a leader is overloaded before they even say it. We connect the dots between people, plans, and timing so that things keep moving forward without falling apart.

This is the “chaos tamer” side of the EA role. It’s not only about doing tasks faster but about giving leaders confidence that someone is watching the flow, guarding the gaps, and guiding the pace. That’s the kind of momentum no tool can replace.

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An Executive Assistant who quietly keeps things moving in fast-paced environments. She supports senior leaders with calm focus, clear coordination, and a mindset shaped by early morning gym sessions - disciplined, steady, and always learning. Jacelyn believes EAs are more than task managers; they’re trusted partners who help build momentum behind the scenes. She’s passionate about helping others in the EA space grow and feel seen.

Her quiet motto? Winning once is no big deal - staying consistent, that’s the real flex.

Connect with Jacelyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacelyn-ng-pace/