Most assistants master the how, what, where, when, and who — but the most powerful question of all is why. Asking why elevates you from task-focused to strategy-driven, helping you see the bigger picture, anticipate needs, and align your work with organisational goals.
Tag: assistants
Same Words, Different Worlds: Finding Connection Beyond Spelling Differences
A lighthearted reminder that even small differences—like how we spell “organisation” or “organization”—can highlight the global nature of our profession. True collaboration isn’t about uniformity; it’s about curiosity, respect, and the ability to bridge differences with humour and grace.
Your Gifts Were Never “Soft Skills”
Every assistant has unique gifts — calm under pressure, empathy, intuition, foresight — yet too often they’re dismissed as “soft skills.” But these are not soft; they’re powerful, essential, and increasingly irreplaceable in the age of AI. When you use your gifts boldly, you don’t just grow stronger — you give others permission to do the same.
Restructuring Administration for Maximum ROI: Shaping the 2026 Global Skills Matrix
The administrative profession is at a turning point. With hybrid work, AI, and digital-first operations reshaping the landscape, assistants must evolve into strategic partners. That’s why the updated Global Skills Matrix is being built—to provide clarity, credibility, and career pathways that reflect today’s realities.
Why Scaling Organisations Need Assistants to Reinforce Discipline
Scaling from £10M to £100M isn’t about complexity—it’s about discipline. Clarity, rhythm, standards, and simplicity are what drive growth. Assistants already deliver this discipline daily, making them indispensable partners in scaling organisations.
Reputation, Legacy, and the Choices We Make as a Profession
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.
Cross-Functional Influence: The Assistant’s Superpower in the AI Era
Cross-functional influence is something assistants have already been doing for years. So I was excited to see this powerful insight from the new 2026 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report “As AI weaves through every line of business, organisations must break down silos and encourage learning that spans traditional functional borders.” In other words, departments […]
The State of the Administrative Profession: Claiming Strategic Partnership in an AI-Driven World
AI adoption is accelerating, career advancement comes from responsibility not title, and professional development drives influence and pay. Assistants who step into these opportunities are moving from “support” into strategic partnership, shaping outcomes that drive organisations forward.
Scenario Planning: The Secret Superpower of Strategic Assistants
Executives make decisions; assistants make them work. The difference between a task-based assistant and a strategic business partner often comes down to one skill: scenario planning. From cancelled flights to tech failures, top assistants anticipate disruption, build robust alternatives, and execute backup plans before anyone notices a problem. This isn’t just logistics—it’s business continuity, risk management, and executive leverage.