Engaging Your Admin Professionals – The Untapped Element

Administrative Professionals are key contributors and a solid foundation to any team, yet many administrative staff (71%) report that they are just not engaged in their work.
In my training, workshops and conferences over the past 10 years I have had many candid discussions with Administrative Professionals. I have put together the “Top 10” requests I heard over and over. Are there any you might implement to support the engagement of your people so you can utilize that untapped potential?

Top 10
What Admin Professionals say would keep them engaged at work!

1. Involve me at the start - Rather than have me complete “piecemeal” tasks in a project, involve me at the beginning of a project. Let me know the background, context, and the people and stakeholders involved. When I know this I am able to assess priorities better, and anticipate and create a more meaningful end result.
2. Keep me in the loop - I may not be a part of the same communication channels that you are involved with. Keep me updated on new initiatives, changing priorities, and discussions that have an effect on what I am working on. Don’t assume that I know.
3. Remind me how my job adds value - Because I deal with the day-to-day details, I can forget how my work adds value to others or the organization. Let me know how my work and efforts have helped you as an individual, or how I’ve helped others.
4. Let me be a participant not just a spectator - A Gallup poll on employee satisfaction indicates that people want to know that their opinions matter. Being asked for ideas and input is something that really resonates with Admin Professionals.
5. Coach me to develop my career - This is my chosen career. A coach/mentor who respects that and really cares will help me grow.
6. Help me network with my peers in a meaningful way - There are often formal Executive, project, or committee meetings yet very few organizations have formal Admin Professional meetings where ideas and tools are shared as an Admin group. Support and make opportunities for Admin Professionals to have formal and meaningful networks together.
7. Support me to take leadership in my admin areas of expertise - Administration is my chosen profession. Demonstrate that you believe that this is my area of expertise and help me take leadership of these areas.
8. Train me, develop me – tap into my strengths and potential - Help me recognize my strengths and potential and help me develop further in these areas. Sending me for training shows that you want to invest in me. When I am training with my peers, I am often more willing to share my ideas because I can identify with that experience and environment.
9. Let me know when I’ve done a great job - It makes a meaningful and positive difference when someone sincerely notices my work and efforts.
10. Help me see my work as meaningful - Lift my sights from my day-to-day details and remind me how my work matters in the bigger scheme of things.
Contact me if you would like to discuss engaging the untapped element of your organization. We are here to help make the work place a better place to be!

Renee Paul
rpaul@performancegroup.com
780.414.1234