Collect the minimum complete request
Ask for the desired outcome, actual deadline, relevant people, and source material. A vague request is not urgent merely because it arrived through an executive channel.
Leadership Teams
How to create an executive priority intake process
ExecutiveSupportStaff Editorial Team | Published
Apply written priority rules
Use deadline and consequence before title or persistence. Protect existing commitments unless a decision-maker accepts the tradeoff.
Respond with ownership
Every accepted request gets an owner, next step, and delivery estimate. A deferred request gets the condition for reconsideration.
Review the workflow
After a missed commitment or unclear handoff, update the rule, name the owner, and record the next review date. Use the executive office operating rhythm to keep the change in regular practice.
| Stage | Required output |
|---|---|
| Prepare | Purpose and owner |
| Operate | Decision and record |
| Review | Exception and next step |
Frequently asked questions
What should this workflow define?
Ask for the desired outcome, actual deadline, relevant people, and source material. A vague request is not urgent merely because it arrived through an executive channel.
Who should own the work?
Use deadline and consequence before title or persistence. Protect existing commitments unless a decision-maker accepts the tradeoff.
How should exceptions be handled?
Every accepted request gets an owner, next step, and delivery estimate. A deferred request gets the condition for reconsideration.
executive priority intake processexecutive assistantexecutive support