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.
Tag: assistants
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 While some still cling to outdated views that leaders should “do their own admin,” many business professionals pushed back, recognising assistants as critical to productivity and profitability.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.
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.
Fear Isn’t a Limitation — It’s a Compass for Growth
In the administrative profession, fear often hides not in our weaknesses, but in our potential. Too many assistants hold back — staying silent in meetings, waiting for permission, shrinking into the background — not because they lack skill, but because they fear their own power. The truth? Fear isn’t the enemy. It’s the signal pointing to exactly where your influence and leadership are waiting to emerge.
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.
From Firefighting to Foresight: Why Scenario Planning Elevates Assistants into True Business Partners
Assistants don’t just manage diaries — they keep businesses steady when disruption strikes. From cancelled trains to failing tech, scenario planning is the underrated skill that turns chaos into continuity. AI can schedule, but it can’t improvise. Strategic assistants map out Plan B (and C) before the crisis even hits — and that’s what makes them indispensable.
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.
From Firefighter to Strategic Partner: How Assistants Can Break Free from Reactive Mode
Feeling stuck in reactive mode? Discover how assistants can shift from firefighting to becoming strategic business partners through proactive planning, workflow optimization, and future-focused strategies. Elevate your role and create lasting impact with these actionable insights.