I had such fun last week in California. In addition to meeting with CEOs Executive Assistants, I was observing an on-site Star Achievement Series® Certified Trainer* teach one of the modules from my Series. The topics covered that day were: workplace trends, predicting the future, thriving on change, quality performance, administrator skills for success, and what will be required of administrative professionals in the future. It was like looking through a crystal ball and anticipating the future.

I was very impressed with the comments from the attendees and want to share some of their insights with you. Then I’d like to hear what you think.

The first question was, “What do you think you will need in terms of skills and behaviors in 9 – 12 months?” Here were the responses:
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Embracing change
• Critical thinking; creative thinking (Great future thinking, as far as I’m concerned!)
• Broader presentation skills
• Increased awareness of business transitions
• Adapting to the market
• Time management
• Soft skills
• Learning with velocity (WOW! I really liked this comment!)
• Continually honing management and leadership skills

Then, the “teacher” really challenged the administrators and asked, “What do you think will be needed 5 years from now to be successful in this profession?” Here’s what they said:
• Become web masters
• Be “green”
• Virtual interpersonal skills
• Video tools – phone
• Program/project management centric
• Multi-lingual
• Holograms!
• Think about paying for your own training and development; investing in yourself

Here are the attitudes they predicted will be necessary:
• Entrepreneurial
• Embrace change
• Be a catalyst for change; we’ll create the changes that need to take place
• Open mindedness
• Mental and physical changes will take place as we age – how will I deal with that? Being prepared for those changes and accepting those changes

This group got an A+ from me! What does your crystal ball tell you?

*Star Achievement Series® Certified Trainers are not Office Dynamics employees. They work for another company and are certified by me to teach this certificate program within their organization. They go through stringent training to do so.