Here’s a fact many forget. The role of secretary and administrator was originally male. It was highly respected, well paid, and considered a serious profession.
Then came World War II. Men went off to fight, women stepped into those roles, and the perception of the profession shifted dramatically.
Fast forward to today. The field is 98% women. And this bias continues to shape how the role is seen.
Did you know:
• When the job title changes from assistant to administrative business partner, more men apply.
• When men join the profession, they are often promoted faster.
• I have seen senior leaders walk straight up to the male EA in a group, assuming he is the leader.
To be clear, I love the men in this profession. Most are excellent assistants. Their competence, loyalty, insight – these are assets. Their presence is welcome. But because their presence changes perception, we must call out what that change tells us.
• Studies show that women are less likely than men to be promoted, even when their job performance is equal or better.
• Women often receive higher performance ratings but lower “potential” ratings than men, which significantly affects promotion odds.
• The concept of the “glass escalator” describes how men in female-dominated professions ascend more quickly into leadership or higher-status roles.
These are not minor differences. They’re structural and persistent. They are why changing a title like “assistant” to “business partner” can shift who applies, and how seriously the role is taken.
The truth is that assistants have been driving organisational strength for decades, often without the recognition, pay, or status they deserve.
If men entering or re-entering this field cause others to suddenly “see” what’s been there all along, that tells us the problem is not the value of the work, it’s what we’ve allowed perception to become.
