Key Traits of SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS
What does it take to be a successful administrative professional today? OfficeTeam and the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) surveyed more than 2,200 administrative professionals and 610 senior managers to find out the most in-demand skills and attributes for support staff.
Top Administrative Skills
While administrative professionals and managers both see organizational skills as important, time management abilities are most valued by supervisors.
| TIME MANAGEMENT |
| 30% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 39% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| ORGANIZATIONAL |
| 30% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 30% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| ORGANIZATIONAL |
| 30% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 30% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| WRITTEN/VERBAL COMMUNICATION |
| 16% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 19% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| SOFTWARE/TECHNOLOGY |
| 17% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 5% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| PROJECT MANAGEMENT |
| 12% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 7% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| OTHER |
| 11% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 5% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
Must-Have Attributes
Administrative workers and managers agree that flexibility is the most desirable quality.
| FLEXIBILITY/ADAPTABILITY |
| 61% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 38% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| A POSITIVE ATTITUDE |
| 19% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 35% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| INITIATIVE |
| 6% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 17% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| DIPLOMACY/TACT |
| 6% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
| 10% OF SENIOR MANAGERS |
| OTHER |
| 7% OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS |
Administrative Staff Have Increased Clout
3 in 5 administrative professionals and managers feel support staff are more valued by their companies than they were 10 years ago.
OFFICE OF THE FUTURE
Evolving workplace trends impacting administrative professionals
For more information on Office of the Future, visit officeteam.com/ootf.
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Source: OfficeTeam and IAAP surveys of 2,290 administrative professionals and 610 senior managers in the United States and Canada.
Some responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
