Undermining, exclusion, and division may create short-term noise, but they damage long-term credibility. The assistants who thrive are those who focus on contribution, collaboration, and building upwards. Behaviour defines reputation—and reputation defines legacy.
Category: Culture & Events
What If We Reimagined the Administrative Profession?
Assistants are no longer just “support.” They are strategic business partners whose insight, influence, and execution can drive faster decisions, stronger relationships, and measurable business impact. The question is: what if organisations truly recognised that?
One Hot-Headed Comment, a Tribunal, and a £30,000 Lesson in Due Process
A UK tribunal just ruled that calling your boss a d**khead isn’t grounds for instant dismissal — awarding nearly £30,000 to the office manager who was fired for it. The case is a sharp reminder for leaders: due process matters more than knee-jerk reactions. For assistants and office managers, it’s also a lesson in managing pressure before it boils over.
Stop Destroying Yourself to Survive: Why Assistants Must Reclaim Their Voice
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.
When Perception Shifts: Gender Bias in the Administrative Profession
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.
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.