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.
Like what you see? Check out our community of like-minded assistants and be a part of the conversation. Subscribe today and stay informed!
Missing the Mark: Why Your Admin Hire Failed and What to Do Instead
Recently, I came across an article on Inc. that described a scenario I’ve seen far too often in my work training and mentoring administrative professionals. In it, we meet an employer who hired an admin, hoping this person would take…
AI Experts Agree with Us: That Executive Support Professionals Should Think Like Founders
AI Experts Agree: Treat Your Role Like a Startup Today, I had the opportunity to watch an interesting Google event titled TechByte: A Conversation with Anthropic on How AI is Shaping the Future of Startups. The event featured insights from…
Virtual Assistant Scholarship Offer, Sponsored by Kirmada
Please note this page may contain affiliate links that support us to do what we do best. We only partner with products and services we love. You can read our Affiliate Disclaimer for more information. Ready to Take the Leap into Virtual…
Simple Gamification to Beat Task Paralysis and Tackle Overwhelm
Staring at an overwhelming to-do list or a packed inbox, feeling completely stuck has happened to all of us. The task feels too big, too endless, and too impossible to start. That frozen, paralyzed state is what’s often called task…
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…