Shared EA capacity works when priorities are explicit and a success manager keeps the system honest. Without rules, the loudest leader wins—and everyone loses leverage.
A growing product company paired one senior EA with a CEO and COO. The unlock was a weekly priority stack: revenue-critical work first, then time-sensitive external commitments, then internal ops.
Each leader kept a short “always escalate” list and a longer “draft for me” list. Meeting load dropped because the EA could decline or reschedule with authority.
Continuity came from shared docs—not shared chaos. Preferences, recurring workflows, and open loops lived in one place so coverage never depended on memory alone.
If you are considering a shared seat, start with clear ownership of the calendar and inbox for each leader, then expand scope only after the weekly rhythm is stable.