Athena vs. Magic: Finding an Executive Assistant Who Grows With You

In many cases, the more successful you become, the more you have to do — and the less time you have to do it. Without the right support, even the most capable leaders can end up struggling.

Executive assistants (EAs) lighten the load, taking care of everything, from managing calendars to conducting research.

Below, you’ll learn what makes EAs indispensable to today’s top executives. You’ll also discover the key differences between Athena versus Magic to make the right decision about which provider best fits your business needs.

Athena and Magic Compared and Contrasted

Athena and Magic provide EAs trained to handle tasks like administrative support, bookkeeping, and calendar management, but they structure their offerings in different ways.

Unlike on-demand-only EA services, you get a full-time, dedicated Athena Assistant. They work just for you and have the training and experience to integrate deeply into your systems and daily operations. That level of performance comes from rigorous hiring standards and ongoing training and mentoring.

Magic also pairs you with a dedicated executive assistant. However, their support model may not go far enough for executives looking for an assistant who can handle high-level tasks autonomously. Their services focus more on as-needed support and administrative duties — like organizing your calendar and inbox — rather than relationship depth and long-term strategic partnership.

Why You Need an Executive Assistant

The combination of a great EA and a leader who knows how to delegate is a multiplier for your time, focus, and decision-making bandwidth. Here are some of the reasons hiring an EA makes sense:

• Efficiency: Delegating administrative tasks like scheduling, coordination, and communications where appropriate gives you more time to focus.
• Cost savings: EAs who work remotely and are fully supported by service providers like Athena cut down on overhead costs. You don’t have to worry about providing office space, equipment, and benefits like you would with an in-person employee.
• Peace of mind: Knowing your day-to-day needs are taken care of reduces stress and helps you make better decisions. You have the space to lead decisively and stay focused on long-term goals.
• Work-life balance: Offloading routine tasks frees up more of your day for personal commitments and rest. You can be more present with your family and friends or find time for creative pursuits.
• Less decision fatigue: When you delegate smaller choices to a trusted partner, the drain of constant decision-making lets up. This leaves you sharper for the truly complex, high-stakes problems that cross your desk.
• Better prioritization: When you’re working with an EA who understands your goals and needs, they can sort and schedule your tasks to keep the most valuable work front and center.

What You Get With an Athena Executive Partner

Here are some of the main advantages of choosing Athena’s EA services:

• World-class talent: Out of more than 30,000 monthly EA applicants, only the top 1% of applicants eventually go on to become Athena Assistants. Multiple rounds of prescreening, including a language assessment, personality test, and real-world projects ensure only the best assistants make the cut.
• Structured onboarding and continuous training: Assistants come to Athena with strong skill sets and experience and receive ongoing skill development. Dedicated managers support each assistant's growth, and thorough onboarding gets your partnership up and running with minimal friction and delays.
• Precision assistant matching: Your executive partner from Athena is chosen using a proprietary algorithm. This process leverages personality assessments and advanced technology to find your perfect match.
• Personalized delegation coaching: Delegation is a skill, and Athena knows that. You get a personal Delegation Trainer to help you get the most of your new partnership, plus access to a database of strategies and playbooks top business leaders swear by.
• Airtight security and confidentiality protocols: Athena uses intensive in-person vetting, cyber insurance, and device monitoring technology so you know your data remains secure at all times.

Drawbacks To Consider Before Choosing Magic

Magic has some downsides to consider: 

• Shorter-term focus: Magic emphasizes speed more than long-term alignment. For example, tasks outside your dedicated assistant’s availability go to an on-demand pool of assistants who won’t be as familiar with your systems.
• Limited delegation training: While Magic offers some delegation resources, it lacks Athena’s hands-on coaching and extensive database.
• Weaker assistant development: Magic’s assistants have some initial training and ongoing coaching, but there’s no clear emphasis on the kind of structured, continuous upskilling that keeps Athena EAs getting better.
• Narrow range of services: Magic’s assistants focus on simple administrative tasks, making it a less attractive EA service for leaders who need to take more off their plate than just the basics.

Athena and Magic: Which Is Right for You?

Athena and Magic both give business leaders back their time, but they’re best-suited to different purposes.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

When deciding which service to use, consider:

• Your timeline: Are you in a rush and willing to sacrifice quality, or are you willing to take some time to find and onboard a better long-term match?
• Your priorities: Are you after quick, on-demand help with assorted tasks here and there, or do you want someone who can learn your workflow and confidently take on delegated projects?
• Consistency vs. flexibility: Do you want to work with the same person long-term, or are you comfortable handing off tasks to a wider pool of assistants who may not be familiar with your work?

Athena is designed for executives looking for a deeply integrated, long-term solution. These leaders need someone who understands and anticipates their needs and can grow alongside them.

Magic might suffice for those who just want fast onboarding and one-off tasks taken care of, and not much more.

Athena Takes Leadership to the Next Level

Athena Assistants don’t just manage calendars and book hotels. They help business leaders operate at a higher level by anticipating your needs and getting the job done right.

Over time, Athena Assistants become trusted partners who understand how you think and work. They can flag issues before they escalate, adjust priorities on the fly, and align with your goals without the need for constant oversight.

If you’re looking for an EA who can grow with you to become a valuable part of your long-term strategy, Athena delivers.

Get Started With an Athena Assistant

Athena’s world-class assistants know how to blend seamlessly into your workflow by rapidly understanding your priorities and preferences. They handle the tedious day-to-day tasks and complex work that demands attention and takes valuable time away from you.

Take back your time and focus on the work that matters with an Athena Assistant by your side.