The administrative profession is in the middle of a revolution.
The role is in an acute state of change, and every one of us has a part to play in changing the perception of this profession, both for ourselves and for the assistants that come after us.
Make no mistake, it’s a battle for survival; we’re evolving into a new iteration of the role, and many organisations still haven’t grasped what that looks like or why it will be so valuable.
The pandemic has meant that almost every industry is in a state of disruption, and we are no different.
But now is a time for clear thought, for us to work together as a profession to get the job done. If you follow me regularly, you will understand what that looks like.
What it isn’t the time for is in-fighting, politics, posturing, disinformation, and toxicity.
Historically, women have faced stereotypes about infighting and undermining each other. In a profession which is 98% female, these stereotypes can sometimes manifest into real challenges.
We don’t need division. I regularly witness political manoeuvring, jealousy, accusatory behaviour, toxic competitiveness, paranoia, bullying and backbiting in our profession. And there is no place for it. Especially right now. These behaviours are not only detrimental to our personal growth but also undermine the progress we need to achieve collectively if we are going to survive as a profession.
Collaboration and mutual support are crucial for success. Infighting distracts us from the larger battles we need to fight and hinders our ability to present a unified front in advocating for the value of our roles.
There is power in unity.
We have too many battles to fight to be fighting each other. We have work to do, and there is immense power in working together. It’s too important right now not to harness that power.
Imagine what we can achieve when we focus on lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down. By supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and celebrating each other’s achievements, we can redefine the role of administrative professionals in a way that commands respect and recognition.
I have seen first hand what happens when we present ourselves globally, nationally, and at our respective organisations as one profession with one voice. There is real power in that.
I urge you to channel your energy into collaboration rather than competition. When we work together, we can drive meaningful change and shape the future of our profession. We need to commit to being allies, advocates, and champions for each other, ensuring that the administrative profession evolves into a role that is respected, valued, and indispensable to the organisations we serve.
