Too many assistants are told they’re “too much” or “not enough.” They’re asked to shrink, hide, or erase themselves just to fit in. But you were never hired to disappear — your voice, insight, and humanity are your value. It’s time to stop dimming your light and start thriving unapologetically.
Category: Culture & Events
The Future of Administration Is Multigenerational
The narrative that Gen Z and Millennials dominate today’s workforce misses a crucial truth: over half of workers are still Gen X, Boomers, or Traditionalists — and in the administrative profession, the average assistant is 48. Older professionals bring deep knowledge, resilience, and mentorship, while younger assistants bring digital fluency and fresh perspective. The future of work won’t belong to one generation. It belongs to the organisations that know how to unlock the strengths of all generations, side by side.
Grant Thornton May Have Cut Assistants — But the Business Community Is Pushing Back
Grant Thornton’s decision to axe nearly 100 assistants sparked anger across the profession, but the comments under the Financial Times article tell a more hopeful story. While some still cling to outdated views that leaders should “do their own admin,” many business professionals pushed back, recognising assistants as critical to productivity and profitability. From consultants warning that outsourcing admin is “a disaster waiting to happen,” to senior leaders pointing out that good assistants drive firm-wide efficiency, the message is clear: assistants aren’t overhead. They are infrastructure. And the wider business world is finally starting to say it too.
Why It’s Time to Recognise Administration as a Strategic Function
The Financial Times’ use of the outdated term “secretaries” in a 2025 article about Grant Thornton is a stark reminder of how language keeps the administrative profession undervalued. Administration represents one-fifth of the global workforce — over half a billion people — yet it still lacks a formal voice at leadership tables. While some companies are adopting progressive titles like Administrative Business Partner and Director of Administration, most executives continue making decisions about administration without truly understanding its strategic impact. Until administration is recognised as a core business function, organisations will keep making short-sighted choices that undermine leadership effectiveness.
When Brand Values Don’t Extend to Assistants
A recent job ad for a senior-level EA role — positioned as a six-month “internship” with no stated pay — shows just how far the profession is still undervalued. The responsibilities demanded judgement, business literacy, and executive-level partnership, yet the contract offered insecurity and ambiguity. The disconnect? A company whose brand values celebrate “freedom” and “authenticity” for clients, but not for the assistants expected to deliver them. This isn’t just one job ad — it’s a systemic blind spot.
A Season of Gratitude and Opportunity
After time to reset, recharge, and reflect, the months ahead feel like a fresh start — a chance to finish the year with intention. For assistants, this “back-to-school” energy is a reminder of both the busyness and the possibility that lie between now and December. Gratitude for the profession, the progress, and the community sets the tone for the work ahead.
The Motherhood Penalty and the Assistant Profession
UK campaigner Joeli Brearley revealed this week that mothers earn 33% less than fathers — and in a profession that is 98% women, that matters. Too often, assistants are dismissed as “unambitious,” but what if that perception is simply bias in disguise? When society undervalues mothers, it undervalues women’s work — and that bias bleeds into how assistants are judged. Assistants are ambitious. They run portfolios, align leaders, and manage complexity daily. The real question isn’t why assistants don’t want to progress — it’s why ambition is still defined through a male lens.
Why the Future of the Assistant Profession Depends on Every Generation — Not Just Gen Z
The narrative that the workplace must be tailored only to younger generations misses the mark — especially in the administrative profession. The average age of an assistant is 48, yet many are told they’re “past their prime” just as they hit peak expertise. The truth? The profession thrives when 20-something digital natives sit alongside 50-something veterans. The future of work won’t belong to one generation, but to organisations that harness the strengths of them all.
Celebrating What Works: Sharing the Wins in the Administrative Profession
While it’s vital to call out the challenges assistants face, it’s equally important to spotlight the organisations and leaders getting it right. Let’s celebrate those who value, empower, and invest in their administrative teams—and inspire change through positivity.
Done is Better Than Perfect: Why Sharing Your Work Matters More Than Flawlessness
After spending hours perfecting a checklist for managing executive energy, I faced a formatting disaster on LinkedIn. But I learned a vital lesson: value and progress matter more than perfection. If you’re hesitating to share because it’s not perfect, maybe it’s time to hit send anyway.