We all want to be confident in our profession. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can get in the way of our confidence – from imposter syndrome to self-doubt. If you’re an administrative assistant, executive assistant, or other type of administrative support professional, you might feel like you have to work harder to prove your worth.
But confidence in our profession is something that you can build starting today, and it starts with small steps. In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how to build your confidence as an administrative support professional.
With a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to build confidence and competence in your administrative support profession—and feel better about yourself in the process!
Realize That Every Admin Job is Unique
As an administrative professional, it’s important to build your confidence in this profession. When you truly understand that every administrative job is unique, you’ll understand the fact that every admin role has to be evaluated individually. There is no one way to be a great admin.
Because every manager, team (if you have one), industry, and organization is different, the ability to put our profession in a box is impossible. Be aware that your manager might not be thinking about these unique aspects when evaluating your skill level or performance. Instead, focus on honing your own skills and abilities to be the best administrator you can be.
With self-confidence and a dedication to excellence, you will stand out in any organization.
Understand Your Manager Might Not Understand Your Role
Another way to build your confidence in the profession is to understand that your manager might not always understand your job, responsibilities, and what it takes to get tasks done. This can be frustrating, but it is important to remember that your manager is likely not an expert in administrative support (I’ll get to that later on).
It never occurred to me for the longest amount of time. I mean, they hired me, right? Aren’t they supposed to understand what all they’re asking me to do and the amount of work involved? I believe a lot of managers and colleagues assume they understand our responsibilities, but that’s exactly what it is – an assumption.
I’ve harped on the grey area before, and this is a great example of it.
So, when you’re being evaluated or are reflecting on your own performance, keep this in mind. Your manager might look at your position and role completely differently than you are.
To minimize this, you can try to explain your process and give regular updates to your manager. That way they have a better idea of what you’re experiencing and doing. Doing that can help build a solid foundation of understanding and build your confidence at the same time.
Your Manager’s Expertise ≠ Administrative Expertise
To build on the last tip, it is important to understand that just because your manager is an expert in one field; it doesn’t mean they are an expert in administrative support.
Yes, they might have even been an administrative assistant at one point in their career, but that doesn’t mean they know everything about the field. And that’s okay!
But it’s not okay when they don’t realize this.
What’s important for you is that you do, so you can use that information to help fight any unnecessary gaslighting or negativity that might be thrown your way.
I had a manager once tell me I needed to do a better job at a task during my performance evaluation. For context, they never asked me the status of the task, what I completed on the task, or what factors counted as a success for the task. When I pressed them for an idea of what factors they were looking for to evaluate my performance, they told me they didn’t know.
… WHAT?
That made me feel like I couldn’t trust this manager’s feedback. Because had they asked me anything about that task, I could answer it. Had they told me they wanted to receive any information or updates (they specifically told me not to send any), I could have easily done it. However, in my performance evaluation, they had the audacity to use it as a point of criticism.
It was an unfortunate experience, but I knew I had to shrug that off. I am eager for constructive criticism, but when the criticism is unfounded, it’s unhelpful to me and my growth.
As administrative professionals, our knowledge and experiences will always look different and be unique. There are plenty of resources out there to help you do just that.
Take some time to read articles, books, or even take a class on aspects of administrative support. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in your ability to do your job well. And when you’re confident in your abilities, you’ll feel more have a more confident self-esteem.
Be Kind to Yourself
If you want to build your confidence in the administrative support profession, it is important to be kind to yourself.
You are the only one who can control your thoughts, and if you think negatively about yourself, it will only hold you back. Beating yourself up for making mistakes or not meeting your own expectations is only going to make you feel worse and increase your stress levels. Always remember that you are capable and competent.
Instead, try to focus on the positive aspects of your work and build on your strengths. Give yourself credit for the progress you have made, no matter how small it may seem. Give yourself credit for your successes, no matter how small they may seem. And if you make a mistake, learn from it and move on.
Remember that everyone has setbacks and challenges—it’s how you deal with them that makes the difference. So be gentle with yourself and watch your confidence grow.
Be patient with yourself as you build your skills and knowledge. And, most importantly, believe in yourself. If you do, others will believe in you too. With hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to in the administrative support profession. So go out there and be the best you can be!
Understand What “Your Best” & What It Isn’t
When building your confidence in the administrative support profession, it is important to understand what “your best” is and what it isn’t. We often put pressure on ourselves to be perfect, but the truth is that none of us is perfect. This self-knowledge is especially important in the administrative support profession, where confidence and self-esteem are key.
“Your best is the most you can give and is always enough.”
— Anieka
We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to accept ourselves for who we are. When you focus on your strengths and try to improve upon your weaknesses, you will build your confidence and become the best administrative professional possible.
Ask yourself:
Which tasks do I excel at? What do I find difficult? When do I experience anxiety during the day?
Once you have a better understanding of your own capabilities, you can set realistic goals for yourself. And remember, even small steps can make a big difference. So don’t be afraid to celebrate your successes along the way!
There is no such thing as perfect – so focus on being the best that you can be!
Build Your Confidence in Administrative Support Profession: Conclusion
Confidence is key in any profession, but it’s especially important for administrative support professionals. When you know your job and what you bring to the table, it shows in your work.
You can feel more assured when communicating with others and be more effective in your role. Remember that every admin job is unique and there are no two managers who understand our responsibilities in the same way.
Recognize that your manager’s area of expertise is most likely not in administrative support—don’t feel like their truth is the only truth!
Be kind to yourself; we all have good days and bad days at work. Accept that you are good at some things and not so great at others.
Know what “your best” looks like and aim for that each day.
What do you do to build confidence in your admin job? Leave a comment below!
Featured Photo by SHVETS production
