Lucy Chamberlain

Administrative professionals aren’t just behind-the-scenes organizers—they’re central to shaping and sustaining company culture. With their wide-reaching influence and deep involvement in communication and coordination, assistants can drive cultural consistency, employee engagement, and workplace harmony.

As the role of administrative professionals continues to evolve, so must the language we use to describe them. The shift from “assistant” to “administrative business partner” reflects a growing recognition of their strategic value, collaboration, and leadership within modern organizations.

From “read minds” to “make coffee with a PhD,” job ads for administrative professionals often try to be witty—but these seemingly humorous phrases can trivialize the role, reinforce outdated stereotypes, and undermine the value assistants bring to the workplace.