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Packed with Purpose | AUG 21, 2024
Administrative assistants are the cornerstones of bustling businesses. While their roles and responsibilities vary widely depending on the company, certain qualities consistently stand out.
When thinking about the qualities of a good admin assistant, a few might come to mind first: organization, timeliness, kindness and so on. And those aren’t just desirable qualities — they’re essential!
Let’s take a look at what colleagues deem the best qualities of an admin assistant. And let’s see why people who embody these qualities are pivotal at your company and deserve recognition.
[Related: 5 Exceptional Ways To Honor Administrative Professionals Day]
Organization is the backbone of efficiency.
A well-organized administrative assistant is a delight. They keep myriad tasks on schedule by managing them seamlessly.
When admins maintain structure and order in your company’s core processes, other team members can focus on their core responsibilities without logistical problems bogging them down.
We particularly value keen organizational skills at Packed with Purpose. And other organizations value them, too. Just see what this colleague from our Administrative All-Star Contest had to say.
“Cassidi puts the ‘pro’ in professional and purpose as an Administrative All-Star for Toledo Public Schools (TPS). TPS is a public school district that is focused on being purpose-driven and providing exceptional experiences for students. This could not happen without Cassidi. Faced with obstacles, she never fumbles. She handles urgent tasks, unexpected situations, and tight deadlines without dropping the ball. Her meticulous organization keeps our calendars running smoothly, everyone informed and on track–like a Formula 1 pit crew.” — Brian Murphy, TPS
Timeliness ensures smooth operations.
Who doesn’t enjoy (and benefit from) team members doing things on time? It reduces stress and simply improves your overall workflow.
Meeting deadlines and maintaining punctuality are especially important. Without either, your business’s smooth function may get bumpy — and your working environment becomes unreliable.
Timeliness builds trust and confidence among clients and colleagues alike. And it’s a quality every admin assistant should strive to master to keep projects on task.
“Tayna is an ALL STAR , because with having to ask she keeps our office going. She is the backbone to get all things done! She plans parties, gets togethers, orders all office supplies, snacks and tech that is needed. She keeps all those up to date on all things when needed.” — Rustie Chappele, DeWinter Group
Kindness fosters a positive work environment.
Compassion and a positive demeanor easily transform any workplace atmosphere into a bona fide professional oasis. Kind attitudes make offices lighter, brighter and generally just happier, more welcoming spaces.
The best part is that positivity is infectious. It has the ability to make your company more inviting, which is incredibly conducive to collaboration. With kindness at the forefront, office morale skyrockets and may even help attract and retain employee talent.
“Kerin supports EVERYONE at Spectrum Designs Foundation! She is a true backbone of the organization, always smiling and staying positive, even when it gets busy and stressful. She is every employee’s first stop when feeling overwhelmed or needing support. As a certified Human Resources Specialist with a background in special needs job coaching, our employees on the Spectrum are lucky to have such a resource at work every day.” — Marissa Borzykowski, Spectrum Design Foundations
[Related: Our Best Tips for Employee Holiday Gifts]
Great communication skills bridge gaps and enhance clarity.
Effective communication is vital if you want to keep all departments aligned — and accomplish quality work.
Admin assistants with exemplary communication skills ensure your team members clearly and professionally convey messages, practically eliminating potential misunderstandings. Who doesn’t like being in the know?
“Kristin stepped into the role to assist the VP of marketing, Cathy Lonergan in 2022. It was not an easy task but KO was an absolute star in bring the EA team back together and in maintaining a fluid communication for us and our execs. She always replies in due diligence and is always there to help us. I think she’s an absolute star and she deserves this :)” — Deborah Horn, Amazon
Adaptability lets admin assistants navigate change with ease.
The ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is a crucial trait for any administrative role. Businesses are dynamic environments where unexpected challenges (such as uncertainties and disruptions) are the norm.
An adaptable admin assistant who can handle changes with poise and efficiency is a treasure.
“Miranda has faced a lot of adversity and change recently, and has met every challenge with a smile and a can-do attitude. My day always gets a little better when I see Miranda, and her kindness is unmatched. She is the first to offer others help, volunteer for challenges, and offer support that goes above and beyond the requirements of her position. I have no doubt that she is more than deserving of this recognition for her exemplary performance and contributions to our organization.” — Mollie Hill, Vervint
Close attention to detail ensures accurate, high-quality work.
An admin assistant with a sharp eye for detail can catch small errors before they become large-scale problems. They also ensure your team meticulously manages documents and processes so that anyone else working with these materials doesn’t run into bumps down the road.
At the end of the day, precision is crucial in building credibility with your clients and stakeholders.
“What truly sets Lauren apart is her unwavering commitment to excellence. She approaches every task with unwavering enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail, consistently exceeding expectations. Her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities while maintaining a composed demeanor under pressure is nothing short of remarkable.” — Daniel Pogorzelski, MWRD
Quick problem-solving means admins proactively address challenges.
Proactive problem-solving abilities enable your admin assistants to address issues before they intensify. Even better, they can identify potential issues before they become real-life problems in the first place!
They’re practically extinguishing the match before a wildfire breaks out.
“Elise has gone above and beyond for the 3 years that I’ve worked with her. She started working at the front desk and quickly rose to being the best admin in the company. She doesn’t believe that anything is too hard for her and will rise to any occasion. This is the same trait that has allowed her to be so successful in her role, she knows what needs to be done and she does it.” — Dan Nelson, Ascella Health
[Related: How Much Should You Spend on a Client Gift?]
Collaboration boosts morale and synergy among teams.
Administrative assistants are often the linchpin holding your organization together. They facilitate communication and encourage true collaboration with team members — ultimately leading to better work.
And collaborative environments are essential when it comes to creating strong, cohesive teams.
“Daniel is definitely the glue of our team. A former Marine, Daniel runs our office with precision and care. He makes sure we’re always prepared for the day ahead, everyone has what they need, and is quick to help anyone who needs anything. We can always trust that things will get done and be done well with Daniel around. He’s encouraging and supportive. Everyone loves working with him, and our clients adore him.” — Jennifer McCullough, NM
[Related: Employee Care Packages: Recognition, Retention and Appreciation for the Long Term]
The best qualities of an admin assistant are integral to your business’s success. And to be frank, they make work more enjoyable for everyone.
With that said, your great admin assistants (among other star employees) deserve real recognition.
Packed with Purpose is here to help! We offer a variety of gift options for clients and employees to help you appreciate them thoughtfully.
Featured image via Unsplash
Packed with Purpose is a Certified Woman-Owned and B Corp business that embeds social and environmental impact into the everyday act of gift giving. These distinctly curated gift boxes source products from over 140+ purpose-driven organizations that transform more than 750,000 lives, resulting in a unique gifting experience that is as inspiring as it is impressive. Strengthen relationships with clients, employees, or friends with gifts for every budget or occasion through seamless ordering, branding and customization. Discover why the nation’s leading brands choose to send gifts that are Packed with Purpose.
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