Administrative assistants are often the unsung heroes of the office. They take on critical tasks, help to keep things running smoothly and manage to keep a multitude of projects and assignments on track. When you step back and think about it, what administrative assistants do is really incredible! But some administrative assistants have managed to achieve next-level success and have become superstars in the workplace. This superstar-level status doesn’t just happen. These elite administrative and executive assistants have worked hard to cultivate the right mindset, made intentional and thoughtful strides to expand their skills, and refused to allow bumps in the road to hinder their forward progress. They’re impressive professionals who have chosen to embody certain habits that have helped them reach new heights. In this blog, we’ll explore five key habits that set these administrative superstars apart from the rest. By understanding these habits and how to develop them within us, we can all strive to be more successful administrative assistants!
Five key habits of administrative superstars
1. They venture outside their comfort zone.
Venturing outside of your comfort zone is one of the most important habits to have if you want to reach administrative superstar status. It’s natural for professionals to become comfortable with their daily tasks and routines. We’ve all been there. We work hard to gain experience and knowledge, and it can become an easy trap to reach a certain level and then rest upon your laurels. You’ve made it, right? You’re a key contributor who knows what they’re doing. But in order to rise above the pack, you must push yourself to take on more challenging tasks and be willing to learn new ways of doing things. This could mean taking on administrative tasks outside the normal scope of work, such as troubleshooting a computer issue, planning a company meeting, or researching a new software program. This habit requires courage. It takes courage to change your behavior and try things that feel uncomfortable at first. It also means having an open mind about different approaches and solutions, instead of relying solely on what has always been done. By being willing to venture outside of an established comfort zone, you can gain invaluable experience that will help you grow exponentially and at an accelerated rate.
2. They practice an attitude of gratitude.
Practicing an attitude of gratitude in the workplace is a key habit of administrative superstars. An administrative assistant who embodies a positive, grateful attitude towards their profession will be rewarded with more respect and appreciation from their colleagues. Gratitude not only helps you to stay focused and motivated, but it also fosters a sense of compassion for others. When you express your appreciation for colleagues, leaders, and tasks, you can build stronger connections and deeper relationships with those around you and gain valuable insight into how best to help the team succeed. Additionally, being aware of the efforts and successes of others can provide administrative assistants with inspiration in times when motivation may otherwise be lacking. Ultimately, administrative superstars are able to reach success by showing gratitude to all their colleagues and tasks – big or small!
3. They don’t stay down long.
Every professional has made a mistake. It’s a universal experience. By embodying a resilient spirit, missteps and obstacles aren’t catastrophic or immovable. Being resilient when faced with problems and challenges is a key trait of administrative superstars. These professionals know that setbacks are inevitable, so they approach them with a positive attitude and the determination to succeed despite any difficulties. They learn from their mistakes and use them as a tool for personal growth. You cannot be afraid to take risks and make decisions on your own in order to move forward, even if it means occasionally straying from the status quo. It’s vital to stay focused on the big picture despite short-term setbacks or frustrations.
This habit is cultivated through traits like determination, willpower, flexibility, resolve, grit, and purpose. Let’s face it: there’s a lot that happens in life and work that’s out of our control. If you have developed these traits and habits, however, you’ll have what you need to overcome any challenge and even find the golden nuggets in situations that only superstar assistants can find. In order to become more resilient when faced with obstacles and challenges, you should strive to develop a growth mindset. This means that instead of viewing failure as an insurmountable obstacle, focus instead on learning from failures and using them as an opportunity for personal development. When administrative superstars face down problems, they’re also willing to reach out for support when needed – whether it’s within their team or outside of it – so that they can better understand how best to move forward in difficult situations.
4. They stand up for what they believe in.
Knowing yourself and having the courage to stand up for what you believe in at work is a habit you’ll see amongst the administrative support elite. Having the courage to express opinions and stand up for values is an invaluable asset to any team or workplace. This habit can be a difficult one to embrace for more timid personality types who prefer not to disrupt or rock the boat. However, it’s important to note that this habit doesn’t always have to be aggressive or forceful. It’s more than possible to be firm in your beliefs without being rude or belittling to others.
Productive disagreements can be healthy and beneficial, as long as you maintain respect for your team and leaders and demonstrate a willingness to compromise. By voicing your thoughts on a particular issue, you are able to bring unique perspectives to the discussion that may not have been considered otherwise.
In addition to expressing opinions constructively and respectfully, administrative superstars also possess a strong sense of self-confidence which allows them to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. These professionals are not afraid to accept consequences when things don’t go as planned, but they are also willing to take credit when they succeed. Administrative assistants who stand up for what they believe in understand that failure should never be used as an excuse. Instead, they view it as a tool and use it as an opportunity to learn from mistakes and use this knowledge towards future success.
5. They are lifelong learners.
Administrative assistants who are exceptional in their roles understand the importance of embracing an eternal student mindset. They are hungry for knowledge, growth, and development. Staying ahead of the curve and consistently honing their administrative skills is key to remaining competitive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape. By seeking out new educational opportunities and cultivating an eagerness to learn, you can continually enhance and expand your knowledge base and make yourself a standout candidate to move up the professional ladder. Stagnation is a superstar killer. Growth requires movement. If you avoid getting to a point where you think you know it all and don’t have anything else left to learn, you will come to fully embrace a lifelong learner’s mentality. Stretch yourself!
Simple initiatives like reading books related to personal growth and development can help you to understand new perspectives and explore areas related to your role. Great books can help you gain valuable insights about how best to nurture yourself both professionally and personally by developing important life skills such as communication techniques, problem-solving strategies, stress reduction tactics, and decision-making abilities. You should also consider going to the next level of learning by enrolling in training programs and attending seminars or conferences related to the administrative profession. This is a great way to stay up to date with industry trends and best practices.
Too, administrative superstars have embraced the power of a professional network. You can do this by joining online communities or forums that focus on administrative topics so you can network with other like-minded professionals. This will help you stay motivated, glean tips from others’ experiences, and learn new skills. Be sure that no matter what type of education you invest in, you’ve done your due diligence and sought out a reputable organization that is familiar with the administrative industry. Check out reviews and reach out to your network to verify that any investment you plan on making in your professional growth and development is worth the time, money, and commitment. By adopting a lifelong learning mindset, you can become an indispensable asset to any organization by staying relevant through continuing education and elevating your professional stature!
Are you ready, superstar?
With dedication, commitment, and passion for your profession as an administrative assistant – you can become a true standout. By embodying all these habits, you can transition to administrative superstar level and thrive in your role, proving leadership through boldness and conviction and setting higher standards of excellence! If you’re ready to reach that next level of success, Office Dynamics can help. We developed a huge library of resources called the Success Store that focuses on helping executive assistants master all the key functions required in their role, become strategic partners with their leaders, and reach incredible levels of professional success. The Success Store includes a massive library consisting of books, certification courses, eBooks, live virtual training, and on-demand training that can help assistants level up and reach new heights in their careers. But we don’t stop there. The Office Dynamics menu of services covers every single element an administrative assistant needs to continue their journey towards becoming a star. You’ll find a vast array of training options, both in-person and virtual, that will help you grow in your career. We’re proud to be the lions of the administrative training industry and feel our deep experience and expertise are vital pieces to our own success. We love helping assistants grow. Click here to learn more!
