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Category: Career

Melba Duncan on Leadership, Legacy, and What Makes an Assistant Indispensable

Melba Duncan is a name every serious assistant should know. For decades, she’s been a vocal champion of the profession: mentoring, advocating, and leading by example. From her groundbreaking Harvard Business Review article to founding The Duncan Group, Melba has helped redefine what it means to be an executive assistant. I recently had the privilege […]

Boosting Your Business Acumen: A Practical Guide for Assistants

If you’re an Assistant looking to make smarter decisions and offer more strategic support, developing your business acumen is essential. Without a solid understanding of how your organization operates, it’s difficult to step up and lead with confidence. Business acumen isn’t just a buzzword. It’s about understanding how your company makes money, how departments interconnect, […]

8 Easy Ways to Sneak More Movement Into Your Day

Let’s be honest – when your day is back-to-back meetings, project deadlines, and managing 101 requests, movement isn’t exactly top of mind. But ignoring your body for hours on end doesn’t just lead to a stiff neck or sore back. It can impact your mood, focus, and even long-term health. If you’ve ever hit the […]

The art of letting go

Ever feel like balancing work and life is an impossible dream? Here’s a little secret: Sometimes, you just have to let go. We live in a world where we’re constantly pushed to “do it all,” squeezing 20 hours of work into an eight-hour day. It’s not just unrealistic; it’s downright harmful to our well-being. A […]

Crafting a standout CV: Mastering the crucial top half

Your CV isn’t just a document, it’s your professional pitch, your highlight reel and your first chance to show hiring managers that you’re more than “just” an assistant. In fact, at the C-suite or board level, your CV should read like a well-prepared board paper: sharp, polished and packed with strategic value. In a hiring […]

Yes, you can reinvent yourself

Quick, think back to July 2010. Where were you living? Were you studying or working? What dreams did you have? How would you describe the July 2010 version of yourself? You’ve changed a lot since then, haven’t you? The world has changed, too. Things we take for granted like Instagram and Zoom didn’t exist in […]

1-Minute Strategies: July ’25

Ditch the sugar-coating—give feedback that helps, not hinders. It might feel polite to soften criticism, but sugar-coated feedback does more harm than good. When you blur the truth, your colleague or direct report misses the chance to grow, and you risk confusion, resentment and repeated mistakes. Think back: Have you ever left a feedback conversation unclear […]

The strategic assistant: More than just a buzzword

By Jodie Mears The phrase “strategic assistant” has been trending for the past year, and many administrative professionals are eager to claim the title. It’s showing up on LinkedIn profiles and job descriptions across industries. But let’s be honest: This idea isn’t new. The best assistants have always been strategic, long before the label became popular. […]

Creating a life that fits you

By Hiyam Abuguilah In a world filled with advice on how to succeed, thrive and live better, it’s tempting to follow in the footsteps of those who have “made it.” Countless self-help books, motivational speeches and social media posts provide formulas for success, whether in business, relationships or health. But the truth is, life is not […]

Choosing your networking mentor

By Chi Chi Okezie The definition of mentoring is providing advice, helping a less experienced individual. Having a trusted advisor who guides you along the personal and professional paths within your profession can enhance every aspect of an assistant’s well-being. But have you ever considered having a networking mentor? A networking mentor is an individual who […]