We held a survey on our blog a few months back. One of the questions we asked was “What would you do if someone called you Secretary?” (and that was not your title). 53% of respondents said nothing; 42% said correct them.

As I travel the country and work on-site with administrative professionals, assistants, executive assistants and administrative assistants, I hear individuals in the profession say, “I don’t care what you call me – secretary, assistant – whatever.” Well, you should care. This profession will never achieve being taken as a serious profession until those in the profession take it seriously. When I was an executive assistant and after working in the field for 17 years, I fought for new title. We had moved to Asheville, North Carolina due to a career move for my husband. During that time, I accepted a great job with a great company. I was going to work directly with the General Manager of a 900-employee facility. When I accepted the job, my title was Staff Secretary. The reason was because the position required not only reporting to the General Manager but assisting his immediate staff of 5 managers. I graciously accepted and after 6 months persuaded my executive to go to corporate to get my title changed to Executive Assistant. I gave him all the ammunition as to why. One piece of logic I told him was that managers work hard to achieve promotions and different titles which establish their status within an organization. It also demonstrates their success in their profession. It is the same way with me, in my profession. I worked hard for 17 years, grew and excelled in my field, and therefore I wanted a title that better represented where I was in my career.

When we don’t care about what people think of us or call us, then we will not gain the respect we deserve. If the thousands of administrative professionals across the globe don’t care what their title is, then we will not be able to lift this profession to the highest possible level.