Delegation to an Executive Virtual Assistant (Without Losing Control)
- lorraineowolabi
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Feeling like everything’s on your plate?
You’re not alone. For high-performing founders and CEOs, juggling strategy, leadership, and admin is a fast track to burnout.
But here’s the shift: You don’t grow by doing more, you grow by doing less of the wrong things.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to delegate to an Executive Virtual Assistant strategically, so you stay in control while clearing space to lead, think, and grow.
Delegation isn’t about handing off everything at once. It’s about starting smart.
These are the top five areas successful founders delegate first, without compromising control.
1. Admin and Calendar Management
The silent time thieves are costing you hours.
Delegate things like:
Inbox triage and email organisation
Scheduling meetings and coordinating calls
Booking travel and managing logistics
Formatting documents and digital filing
Basic data entry and reporting
Why it works: You can reclaim 10-15 hours per week, just by letting go of admin. That’s time you can spend thinking, leading, and growing your business.
2. Routine Financial Tasks
Important? Yes. CEO work? Not really.
Delegate tasks such as:
Basic bookkeeping
Invoicing and chasing payments
Expense categorisation
Financial report preparation
Payment processing
Why it works: You stay in control of your finances, without getting buried in spreadsheets or admin.
3. Content and Social Media Support
Stay visible, without being glued to your phone.
What to delegate:
Scheduling posts
Engaging with comments and DMs
Formatting content
Creating branded graphics
Tracking performance and insights
Why it works: You remain the face of your brand, while your assistant handles the behind-the-scenes work that keeps your audience engaged.
4. Client Communication & Customer Service
Excellent communication doesn’t need to come directly from you.
Delegate things like:
Responding to general enquiries
Confirming appointments
Following up for testimonials
Checking in with clients
Managing support tickets
Why it works: Clients feel cared for, and you stay free to focus on the relationships and conversations that truly need your input.
5. Research and Information Gathering
Get decision-ready insights, without the rabbit hole.
Hand off:
Market and competitor research
Lead qualification
Supplier comparisons
Event and opportunity research
Data support for presentations
Why it works: You make smart, fast decisions without spending hours on Google.
What Not to Delegate (Just Yet)
Not everything should go. These are the tasks that still need you:
High-value relationships (investors, partners, VIP clients)
Business-critical decisions
Culture building and hiring senior roles
Financial strategy and investments
These are the high-leverage areas where your leadership is irreplaceable.
Founders who delegate before they hit burnout enjoy huge advantages:
Sharper thinking and clearer decision-making
Room for strategic growth
Scalable systems and structure
Fewer bottlenecks and smoother operations
Sustainable momentum
Delegation doesn’t slow you down, it sets you up to scale with ease.
How to Start Delegating Without the Overwhelm
Here’s a simple four-week plan to ease into delegation:
Week 1 – Track Your Time. Write down what you do each day. Highlight what drains or distracts you.
Week 2 – Spot the Time-Wasters. Ask yourself: Would I pay myself £150/hour to do this? If not, flag it.
Week 3 – Create a Simple How-To. Record a Loom video or jot down steps for one task (like calendar management). Then hand it over.
Week 4 – Review and Expand. Check what’s working. Improve your process. Delegate your next task.
Your Role Is Evolving, and That’s a Good Thing
Delegation isn’t losing control. It’s gaining leverage.
The most successful founders don’t wear every hat forever. They build systems. Empower support. And put their energy where it matters most, leading.
So if you’re still trying to do it all, it’s time to shift gears.
Ready to Delegate Like a CEO?
At Lorraine Freelance PA, we help CEOs and founders clear their mental clutter and streamline the day-to-day so they can focus on the work only they can do.
Book your free consultation Let’s map out what’s on your plate, and what you can confidently hand over, starting now
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