Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates

In this powerful season finale, we are joined by the remarkable Shola Richards—keynote speaker, author, and self-proclaimed "kindness extremist." Shola’s mission is to transform how we treat each other at work, at home, and everywhere in between. In this deeply engaging conversation, we explore his new book, "Civil Unity: The Radical Path to Transform Our Discourse, Our Lives, and Our World," and how civility can act as a healing force in our polarized world.

Shola shares practical tools for navigating difficult conversations with respect, setting boundaries, and fostering civility, even in the most challenging environments. From personal stories of overcoming darkness to actionable steps for maintaining mental and emotional health, this episode is packed with inspiration, warmth, and laughter.

Join us as we discuss the importance of respectful dialogue, how to disagree without disrespect, and how we can all be part of a movement to create a more civil, kind, and united world. This episode is a true gift, and a powerful conclusion to our first season!

Learn more about Shola Richards and his work on civility at sholarichards.com/civil-unity.

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In episode 10 of the podcast, Rachel and Melissa celebrate a milestone—double digits! As they near the end of season one, the co-hosts reflect on how far they’ve come and what’s in store for the future. With only one more episode before they take a break until April, they tease an exciting season two, which may even include recording in a brand-new space. The anticipation is building for what’s next!

In this episode, they’re switching things up with a fun, lighthearted “lightning round.” However, true to their style, what begins as quick-fire questions turns into a deeper dive, filled with personal stories and honest reflections. You’ll get to know Rachel and Melissa in a whole new way as they answer quirky questions like “coffee or tea?” and “city living or countryside retreat?” but also tackle more thoughtful topics such as childhood dreams they haven’t given up on and the skills they hope to improve.

Throughout the episode, you’ll gain insight into who these two are beyond their professional lives, making this podcast an even more personal and intimate experience. From beach vacations versus mountain getaways to fiction versus nonfiction books, the conversation flows naturally, offering laughs, surprising revelations, and a genuine connection with the audience.

Rachel and Melissa believe in the power of authenticity, and through this episode, they hope to inspire you to embrace your true self, whether at work or in life. You’ll see how being yourself not only builds trust but also strengthens relationships—whether with your colleagues, friends, or even the community around you.

So, if you’ve been tuning in since the beginning or are just joining the conversation, this episode offers something special: a light and fun chat, sprinkled with a deeper look into the personalities of the co-hosts. It’s a reminder that we’re all human behind the titles and roles we carry.

Be sure to stick around for the season finale end of September! With only one more episode before the break, there’s no telling what surprises Rachel and Melissa have in store. You won’t want to miss it!

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Welcome back! In this Episode, the podcast takes a unique turn as Melissa is joined by her day-to-day partner, Chris Cason. This episode is all about giving you an inside look at how a successful remote partnership works, especially when distance and time zones are in the mix.

You’ll hear Melissa and Chris dive deep into the dynamics of their remote working relationship, sharing how they’ve managed to build a strong, strategic partnership despite being in different states—Chris in California and Melissa in Missouri. They discuss the importance of intentional communication, the challenges of balancing tasks with strategic work, and how they’ve turned potential barriers into strengths.

The conversation also touches on the value of inclusion in the EA-executive relationship, offering insights into how their partnership reflects the future of professional collaboration. Plus, as a fun twist, they reveal a surprising fact about how close they are in age, which adds an extra layer of connection to their work together.

This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their professional relationships, especially in a remote setting. Whether you’re an EA, an executive, or simply curious about how to make remote partnerships thrive, this episode is for you.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Melissa and Chris as they share their experiences and tips for building a successful remote partnership. And keep your ears open—there’s more to come from this dynamic duo!

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Welcome back to Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates! In this episode, Melissa Mahoney, CEO of the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP, recap the unforgettable highlights of Summit 2024.

Transitioning from theory to real experiences, they share their personal favorite moments, including the emotional Parade of Nations and the inspiring performance by spoken word artist Lyrical Faith. Melissa and Rachel offer insights into the unique magic of Summit, emphasizing the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and the hybrid model that allows global participation.

You'll gain a deeper understanding of what makes Summit such a special event, and why it’s essential for admins everywhere. Whether you attended this year or are considering joining Summit 2025 in Chicago, this episode provides a compelling look at the community, energy, and innovation that define Summit.

Tune in to hear about the impactful moments, the behind-the-scenes efforts to create an inclusive experience, and exciting future plans to expand access and opportunities for admins worldwide. Discover how The IAAP Summit can help you grow professionally and connect with peers from around the globe.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode delivers a heartfelt recap and inspiring insights to get you excited for the next Summit. Join us to relive the magic of Summit 2024 and start planning for Summit 2025!

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Welcome to Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates!

Join Melissa Mahoney, CEO of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), and Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP, as they continue their exploration into the top barriers admins face in achieving true partnership with executives. In this second part of their two-part series, they delve deep into barriers 6 through 10, providing listeners with authentic insights, candid conversations, and actionable solutions to overcome these challenges.

In this episode, Melissa and Rachel tackle systemic issues that affect admins today, exploring how traditional views of administrative roles and leadership can hinder true partnership. They share strategies for effective communication and goal alignment, helping you to better align your goals with those of your executive for more seamless collaboration.

The episode also dives into the fine line between support and caregiving, offering insights on how to maintain professional boundaries while effectively supporting your executive. Discover approaches to navigating feedback and evaluations, ensuring that you receive meaningful feedback and can advocate for your professional development.

One of the most critical topics addressed is compensation. Melissa and Rachel have an honest discussion about the pay disparities that exist and explore ways to advocate for fair and equitable pay. This conversation is essential for anyone looking to advance in their career and ensure they are compensated fairly for their contributions.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways that will inspire and empower you on your journey. Melissa and Rachel’s candid discussions provide a fresh perspective on the admin profession, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, continuous learning, and advocacy in overcoming these barriers.

Join Melissa and Rachel for this impactful conversation and learn how to break down the barriers that stand between you and effective executive partnership.

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Welcome back to Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates! In this episode, Melissa Mahoney, CEO of the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP, dive into the vital topic of admin-executive partnerships.

Transitioning from theory to actionable advice, they identify and break down the top barriers to successful partnerships. Drawing from their personal experiences and insights from the community, Melissa and Rachel offer real solutions and practical takeaways to enhance working relationships. They delve into key areas such as trust, communication, working styles, imposter syndrome, and unconscious biases, providing practical examples and strategies for overcoming these challenges.

You will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities, improve collaboration, and build stronger connections with your executives or admins. 

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode delivers practical tips and strategies to help you build and maintain a high-functioning admin-executive partnership. Tune in to discover how to turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

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Welcome back to Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates! In this episode, Melissa Mahoney, CEO of IAAP, and Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP, delve deep into two crucial leadership skills that can transform your professional journey.

Melissa and Rachel explore the intertwined topics of feedback and self-awareness. These elements are not just leadership competencies; they are the foundations of personal and professional growth. They share their experiences and insights on how feedback and self-awareness have dramatically impacted their leadership journeys.

In this episode, you will hear about the power of feedback and self-awareness, understanding the significance of these skills in personal and professional contexts, and how they can help you level up in your current role or transition to a higher position. The discussion is framed using Dr. Tasha Urick’s definition of self-awareness and covers the spectrum of feedback, from positive and affirming to constructive feedback that requires some remodeling.

Melissa and Rachel explain how to discern between qualified and unqualified feedback, emphasizing the importance of trusted advisors in providing valuable insights. They also provide tips on giving effective feedback, highlighting the importance of building relational currency, being prepared, listening actively during feedback conversations, and asking for permission to ensure the recipient is in the right headspace to receive feedback.

Whether you are a seasoned administrative professional or just starting your journey, join Melissa and Rachel for a candid and insightful conversation as they navigate the highs and lows of feedback and self-awareness. This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you grow both personally and professionally.

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Welcome back! In this episode, Melissa and Rachel tackle IAAP's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging philosophy, a topic they previously introduced and are now ready to explore in greater depth. You'll hear a thorough discussion on the language and definitions used at IAAP, alongside personal insights from Melissa and Rachel on why inclusion is a top priority for them.

The episode delves into the business case for supporting DEI in the workplace, outlining how these principles can drive engagement and a sense of belonging among members and stakeholders. Drawing from IAAP’s DEI strategic plan, Melissa and Rachel share their organization’s philosophy of inclusion and discuss how it aligns with IAAP's broader strategic objectives.

You'll gain an understanding of how diversity encompasses various attributes, from age and ethnicity to socioeconomic status and beyond. Melissa and Rachel emphasize the importance of recognizing these differences while fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and connected.

They also address the emotional aspects of engaging with DEI, acknowledging the valid feelings of guilt and judgment that can arise. They advocate for approaching these issues with curiosity and openness, encouraging you to shift from a mindset of judgment to one of learning and action.

Join Melissa Mahoney and Rachel Suman for an enlightening and impactful discussion that invites everyone to participate in the journey toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This episode of Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates promises to inspire and empower administrative professionals to create more inclusive and connected communities.

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and be part of the change. Join us!

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In this episode of "Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates," Melissa Mahoney and Rachel Suman from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) tackle the pressing issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on administrative roles. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the workplace, Melissa and Rachel explore whether it poses a threat to admin jobs or offers new opportunities for enhancement.

The discussion acknowledges the fears surrounding AI but emphasizes the importance of a change agent mindset—embracing learning and growth. Melissa and Rachel provide practical steps for admins to navigate AI advancements, from leveraging internal resources to collaborating with IT departments. They also address both the positive and negative implications of AI, including efficiencies, data security, and ethical considerations.

Listeners are encouraged to engage critically with AI, seek diverse perspectives, and continuously adapt. This episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for administrative professionals looking to stay ahead in the evolving workplace. Join Melissa and Rachel for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of admin work in the age of AI.

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Welcome to Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates, your go-to podcast for navigating the complexities of the administrative world and beyond. I'm Melissa Mahoney, CEO of the International Association of Administrative Professionals, joined by Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP.

In this episode, we embark on a transformative journey into the realm of binary thinking and its profound impact on our lives. Join us as we explore the power of embracing complexity, challenging conventional wisdom, and fostering a mindset of growth and understanding.

Through thought-provoking discussions, we delve into the nuances of harm, offense, and impact, unpacking the layers of our perceptions and interactions. From dissecting trending social media debates to reflecting on personal experiences, we invite you to join us in navigating the intricacies of our ever-evolving world.

But beyond analysis, we offer inspiration and empowerment. We celebrate the beauty of embracing discomfort, the courage to challenge norms, and the resilience to grow beyond our limitations. With each conversation, we invite you to expand your horizons, cultivate empathy, and embrace the full spectrum of human experience.

So whether you're an administrative professional seeking to elevate your career or simply a curious mind eager to explore new perspectives, join us on this journey of discovery. Tune in to episode two of Beyond the Desk Admin Advocates, available now on your favorite podcast platforms. Together, let's transcend binaries and forge a path of authenticity, empathy, and growth.

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