A surprising EA journey

From FTC to sector lead EA: learning to trust myself along the way

Any EA will tell you that our role can be full of surprises. It keeps us on our toes, pushes us to grow, and demands agility. The one thing that still surprises me, however, is how many of us fall into the habit of over-apologising and under-believing.

When I joined Baringa, I came on board with plenty of experience – but also a fair amount of self-doubt. And like so many EAs, it didn’t take much for that to surface – a technical glitch, a no-show, a small thing suddenly feeling bigger than it should.

One of the biggest draws to Baringa was its culture – the way people spoke about EA support reflected the genuine value placed on the EA community. It felt different, and the kind of place where I could thrive. So, I closed my eyes and jumped in. Leaving the certainty of a permanent role for my first FTC felt risky. I had no guarantees about where it would lead, only a feeling that Baringa was somewhere I could learn and grow. That leap of faith set the stage for a journey I couldn’t have predicted, full of challenges, surprises, and ultimately, growth.

Very quickly, I realised it wasn’t just lip service – Baringa genuinely embodied the values they championed. What I hadn’t anticipated was how long it would take me to get used to having a voice, an opinion, and, moreover, having it heard, never mind considered. As I began to receive positive feedback (which, I admit, still makes me incredibly uncomfortable!), I slowly started to allow myself to hold my space, albeit with some trepidation. This was a whole new experience.

Seven months into my FTC, I was made a permanent EA. It meant a huge amount to me - it genuinely felt like I’d found my place. For so long, I had wanted to find a company where I could add value and feel valued. But the next question was: where would I fit? I had been providing maternity cover and would soon be handing back the Partners I had been caretaking.

Well, as the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. I was offered the opportunity to support the FS Sector Lead. I was flattered, excited, and very aware I was stepping up a gear. I would be stepping into the shoes of an EA who had supported the Partner for five and a half years - daunting, to say the least. But they say you should always do the thing that scares you, so I did.

Stepping into a role with such a legacy wasn’t just daunting - for me, it was a masterclass in patience, humility, and learning to trust myself. The first few months were full of growing pains: understanding the Sector’s priorities, and figuring out how to deliver value in a way that felt authentic to me. Every decision carried weight, and I quickly realised how important it was to build trust and consistency in how I supported the Sector.

But with time, things began to shift. I started to recognise patterns, build relationships with the team, and realise that my perspective and approach added a unique contribution, rather than simply replacing what had been before. Slowly, I stopped comparing myself to my predecessor and began focussing on doing things in my own style - confident in my decisions, proud of the support I was providing, and comfortable in my space.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the surprises, the challenges, and even the doubts - they pushed me to discover what I’m capable of. Today, I can confidently say that taking the leap was worth it.

For anyone navigating their own “big shoes” moment - or feeling a hint of imposter syndrome creeping in - take this away: trust yourself, embrace your own style, and don’t be afraid to own your space. The journey may surprise you - and in the best ways, it often does. I took a chance on an FTC role, but the biggest leap turned out to be believing in myself.