The Officials Blog
Welcome to our blog for assistants – your go-to source for the latest industry news, trends, and insights. From technology and productivity to leadership and professional development, we bring you the information you need to stay ahead of the curve in the world of assistants.
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The Work is Mysterious, The Work is Important: Lessons from Severance for the Devoted Assistant
The Sacred Order of Work The world has gazed upon Severance, the acclaimed series that unearths some dark themes about working life with reverent precision. At Lumon Industries, the severance procedure is a surgical process that splits a person’s mind…
The Invisible Work of Pink-Collar Roles: Recognizing the Mental Load of Administrative Professionals
When we think about career classifications, the terms “white-collar” and “blue-collar” are often the first to come to mind. However, there is another crucial category that plays a fundamental role in the workforce—pink-collar jobs. These roles, historically associated with administrative…
Growth Opportunity Trends Spotted at the Spring PA Show 2025
Want to stay ahead of the curve in the administrative profession? At the Spring PA Show 2025, Lauren Bradley, founder of The Officials, uncovered key trends shaping the future of executive support roles. From career growth challenges to the rising…
Redefining the Admin Role: How Assistants Can Elevate Their Profession and Drive Industry Change
Let’s explore one of the biggest trends in the admin industry—an issue that is holding many professionals back. Despite their essential roles, administrative professionals often struggle to gain the recognition they deserve, leading to missed opportunities for growth and development….
The Wild Robot’s Unexpected Lessons for Assistants on the importance of overwriting your original programming
I recently watched The Wild Robot and was surprised at the themes that jumped out at me. As an assistant (whose job is to complete tasks) and a mother, I found myself reflecting on how Roz’s journey parallels the experiences…
Finding Your Community: Why Engaging with Other Administrative Professionals is a Game Changer
Being an administrative professional can sometimes feel isolating. Even if you work with other assistants, there’s often an unspoken expectation that you must always have everything under control. You’re the go-to problem solver, the steady hand behind the scenes—but who…
Why Attending Industry Events Can Be the Key to Unlocking Your Career Potential as an Administrative Professional
As administrative professionals, we often feel like we’re stuck behind the scenes—providing support, managing schedules, and handling details—but rarely in the spotlight. I used to feel the same way. But attending industry events, especially those dedicated to our profession, changed…
Top Tech Tools of 2024 for Administrative Professionals
As administrative professionals, staying ahead often means finding the right tools to supercharge productivity. In our Tech Hack series, we explore some of the best tools for administrative professionals in 2024. Whether you’re creating designs, organizing travel, or managing team…
How to Escape the Meeting Room (Without Losing Your Mind) – Tips for More Productive, Stress-Free Meetings
We’ve all been there: trapped in a meeting that seems to stretch on forever, with no real point, no decision, and no escape in sight. You’re waiting for someone to finally say “That’s a wrap!”—but it never happens. The clock…
Reframe, Reflect, Renegotiate: How to Master Performance Reviews
Performance reviews are often viewed with a mix of anxiety and dread, especially for assistants juggling year-end deadlines and the pressure of self-evaluation. But what if you shifted your perspective? Instead of seeing a performance review as a test, treat…
Why Every Assistant Needs a Dashboard: The Secret Weapon to Getting (and Staying) Organized
Let’s be real: being an assistant is a fast-paced, high-stakes juggling act. Between coordinating schedules, fielding endless requests, tracking every little detail, and making sure everyone else is where they need to be, there’s a lot on your plate. Staying…
Boost Your Efficiency: Applying Supply Chain Management Principles to Your Work as an Executive Assistant
Boost Your Efficiency: Applying Supply Chain Management Principles to Your Work as an Executive Assistant As an executive assistant or administrative professional, your role revolves around keeping everything running smoothly. Whether it’s scheduling meetings, managing communications, or ensuring resources are…
Why Assistant Pools Are Outdated – And How Administrative Departments Are the Future
In recent years, a trend has resurfaced in some organizations: “assistant pools.” Though pooling assistants may seem like an efficient solution, particularly as businesses look to streamline costs and resources, it often comes with substantial drawbacks. Assistant pools can lead…
Embrace Technology: An Assistant’s Best Friend in the Workplace
Hey there, fellow administrative professionals! If you’re like me, you juggle a million things each day—from managing schedules and organizing files to keeping everything running smoothly. It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed when challenges pop up. But here’s a…
Startup Mindset: Take Charge of Your Assistant Career by Clearly Defining Your Services
For administrative professionals and executive assistants who want more control over their careers, treating your role like a startup can be a game-changer. This unconventional mindset not only fosters increased efficiency and innovation but also leads to greater job satisfaction….
Boost Your Productivity and Creativity: How Microsoft Designer Can Help Assistants Shine
In the fast-paced world of administrative professionals, assistants often wear multiple hats, managing everything from scheduling and project coordination to event planning and presentation design. It’s no wonder that finding tools that streamline workflows and simplify design tasks can be…