
As we approach 2025, there is an emerging theme in the business press. One of the most valuable skills of 2025 won’t be learning – it will be unlearning. For administrative professionals, this shift has major implications.
Unlearning means letting go of outdated practices, beliefs, and assumptions to make way for new approaches. In a workplace where technology and automation are transforming traditional tasks, holding on to old ways of working can limit growth.
Unlearning allows assistants to redefine their roles, shifting from support tasks to strategic partnership. It’s not just about learning how to use new tools but about unlearning the belief that your value lies in tasks that can now be automated. Instead, the focus should be on problem-solving, relationship-building, project management and interpreting data to support executive decision-making.
By unlearning rigid processes, you can embrace flexibility, creativity, and innovation, becoming the catalyst for change in your organisation. This mindset will be critical in staying relevant and indispensable in the workplace.
Unlearning is not just about discarding old knowledge, but about making room to continually adapt and evolve.
It’s how administrative professionals will lead, not just keep up, in 2025 and beyond.