Category: Personal Development
SMART is the simple and effective framework to ensure your goals can be defined, measured and achieved.  S = Specific  Is my goal clearly defined and can it be interpreted correctly?  M = Measurable  How will I measure my goal so that I have tangible evidence that I have achieved it? Is there a number associated with it?  A […]
No workplace is completely without conflict. Even the closest of colleagues and co-workers will occasionally disagree. Since all you can control is yourself, it may be time to take a long, hard look at your own self-awareness in the workplace. It can be difficult to initiate a crucial conversation. Our tendency is to avoid conflict, not initiate it. But when another’s […]
Creativity is often misunderstood as a talent reserved for artists, writers, or musicians. In reality, creativity lives in all of us—and it plays a vital role in how we solve problems, improve processes, and navigate everyday work challenges. For administrative professionals, creativity isn’t about “thinking outside the box” for its own sake; it’s about finding […]
“Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” — Gandhi Two elderly men once sat quietly on a park bench, enjoying the sunshine. After a long silence, one let out a deep sigh. The other immediately stood up and said, “If you’re going to talk politics, I’m leaving.” It’s a lighthearted story but it […]
Gaslighting is not just an uncomfortable workplace experience—it’s a psychological stressor that directly affects how your brain functions. For administrative professionals, who often sit close to power and information, understanding gaslighting is critical for both personal wellbeing and professional survival. I learned this the hard way. In 2012, I raised serious concerns about repeated psychological […]
Having influence means selling yourself every day. Assistants can exert influence to be effective in their own jobs, to manage their careers, and to support their bosses and organization. To have the career you want, selling yourself is an important and ongoing process. If you are exerting influence, you are selling; and for someone to […]
Every workplace needs more Yay-sayers, the people who seek solutions, encourage collaboration, and promote realistic optimism even during challenging times. Yay-sayers exist at every level of an organization, from the C-suite to the front line. They help teams thrive through change, communicate with clarity, and create cultures built on trust and accountability. The Case for […]
Marsha Egan, workplace productivity and business coach, reminds us that choosing not to take things personally is an act of strength, not weakness. Working in executive support is not for the faint of heart. You are the one holding everything together—managing calendars, coordinating communication, and navigating multiple personalities, all while keeping operations running smoothly. When […]
At work and in life, motivation matters. For some, it comes from a paycheck, a to-do list, deadlines, or the expectations of others. For others, it comes from something deeper: a sense of purpose, a mission, or a vision. The first type of motivation works in the short term but is rarely sustainable. Burnout, dissatisfaction, […]
What if calm wasn’t a reaction, but a choice? “You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying,” writes Timber Hawkeye, author of Buddhist Boot Camp. “What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” Simple words, but not always simple to practice. Calm isn’t about pretending nothing is wrong or detaching from reality. […]