Send us a text

In this bonus episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears are joined by Fiona Young (founder of Carve) to go past “draft my email” and “summarise this deck.” We unpack how assistants can use AI for real, outcomes-focused impact: diagnosing diary inefficiencies, building lightweight automations, sharpening decision-making, and even “vibe-coding” practical tools without being a developer. If you’ve dabbled and now you’re asking “What’s next?”, this one’s for you.

Listener Question
Danielle (Boston, investment management):
“I’ve used AI for basics like emails and slide decks, but I want to spot patterns, remove bottlenecks and anticipate needs. How do assistants move beyond simple tasks and free up time for higher-value work?”

Episode Highlights

• AI beyond time-saving: use it to challenge your thinking, surface blind spots, and strengthen judgment
• COIF prompting (Context, Output, Intent, Format): a simple way to get higher-quality results consistently
• Tool-stacking wins: combine systems to automate end-to-end workflows
• Calendar analytics that matter: analyse time use and propose real changes
• Better briefings, faster: market intel, competitor scans, VIP prep
• Becoming a builder: why “vibe-coding” with AI is now within reach for EAs
• Mindset shift: define your higher-value work first; then use AI to create the capacity to do it

Value Bombs
Craig Bryson: “I’m looking at AI as helping me do the things that are monotonous and mundane so I can focus on the things that are important that the AI cannot do. (00:06:49)

Jodie Mears: “It’s not just about prompt writing, begin, middle and end. Can you confidently articulate to someone verbally if they were in person the same way you're articulating to the LLM online? It's that kind of conversation.” (00:15:50)

Fiona Young: “If you look at what's the next level, it's actually AI can help us to literally think differently. It can fill in for gaps in our thinking. Fill in for our biases, for our blind spots, to be able to actually be a sparring partner. (00:08:00)

Free Resources
Download Fiona’s Carve prompts guide + prompt library: https://joincarve.com/prompts-guide-signup

Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth.

Follow and contact us on our socials
Website
LinkedIn
Pinterest
X
TikTok

Send us a text

This episode is sponsored by C&C Search – London’s leading recruitment partner for business support and HR professionals in finance and professional services. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or want to elevate your team, follow C&C Search. Because brilliant people deserve brilliant support.

In this episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears explore one of the most requested and misunderstood topics in the admin profession:

How do you influence outcomes and shape decisions when you don’t have formal authority?

From communication skills to confidence, from planting seeds of change to building trust, they share actionable ways to increase your influence without waiting for a title, promotion, or permission.

Listener Question:

"I find it really hard to push back on senior leaders without sounding negative or difficult. How can I challenge or influence when I don’t feel like I have the authority to say no?"

Together, they unpack what it really takes to lead without authority and why influence is a skill you can practice, no matter your personality or level.

Episode Highlights:

• The paradox of influence in the admin profession and why it’s more important than ever
• Why influence starts with clarity, confidence, and communication
• Persuasion vs. influence: which mindset works better?
• How to use internal networks to amplify your voice and impact
• The power of the “Friday Wins Tracker” to showcase your value
• Practical sentence starters to help you influence outcomes respectfully
• How to push back on senior leaders without damaging relationships

Value Bombs:

Craig Bryson: “You don’t need a title to lead but you do need to build credibility through connection and collaboration.” (00:05:00)

Jodie Mears: “Influence isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about planting the seed of change in a way that others can’t ignore.” (00:04:00)

Craig Bryson: “Sometimes, ‘no’ is a full sentence. But if that feels too hard, try reframing it into a question that puts the ball back in their court.” (00:14:00)

Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth.

Follow and contact us on our socials
Website
LinkedIn
Pinterest
X
TikTok

Send us a text

This episode is sponsored by C&C Search – London’s leading recruitment partner for business support and HR professionals in finance and professional services. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or want to elevate your team, follow C&C Search. Because brilliant people deserve brilliant support.

In this bonus episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears are joined by Lucy Chamberlain, founder of C&C Search, to explore a question many assistants are grappling with:

How do you position yourself in a crowded, cautious job market, without pretending to be someone you’re not?
Whether you’re job hunting or raising your profile in your current role, Lucy shares practical, personal, and strategic advice on how to stand out authentically.

Listener Question:
"I’ve been in the same company for nine years and love my role, but leadership says I’m not visible enough. How do I show up more without looking desperate?"

Lucy helps reframe visibility as something quiet, credible, and completely within reach.

Episode Highlights:

• Why today’s job market feels so tough and how to stay optimistic
• The 3Cs of career positioning: Competence, Courage, Compassion
• Strong candidate vs. visible candidate: What’s the difference?
• CV strategies that highlight real impact and growth
• Ways to use LinkedIn without needing to post
• How to increase visibility inside your company (without the cringe)
• Why emotional intelligence is a hiring differentiator
• Smart strategies for introverts navigating networking

Value Bombs:

Lucy Chamberlain: “Power doesn’t mean control. It means choice. And choosing to own your brilliance is the first step to standing out.” (00:15:00)

Jodie Mears: “Visibility isn’t about shouting the loudest it’s about making your impact easy to see.” (00:25:00)

Craig Bryson: “You can’t get recognised if no one knows what you bring to the table. Ask your exec: What are your goals? And how can I align mine with yours?” (00:29:00)

Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your network, especially those navigating job searches or career crossroads right now. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

Got questions?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your listener question via our website or drop us a DM on LinkedIn, we might just feature your question next!

Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth.

Follow and contact us on our socials
Website
LinkedIn
Pinterest
X
TikTok