Seen, Heard, and Between Jobs: A Message for Admin Pros in Transition

Debra Coleman [00:00:08]:

Well, hello, you, and welcome back to another episode of Have a Seat conversations with women in the work place podcast. I am your host, Deb Coleman. Welcome back. Well, yes, this is another solo episode or as I like to call, mini casts. And I did steal the mic away from my lovely guest this week to record this show for you. This one just is a little different. I wanted to take a little bit of a different angle. So it will sound a little different.

Debra Coleman [00:00:39]:

There won't be any hot takes, no snappy or sassy punch lines, or no need to turn it down because you have littles in the room, as per usual with my my my solo episodes. But this for this for these next few minutes, I just I just wanna share a moment of truth from me to you. So here we go. Because as we wrap up administrative professionals month, at the time of this recording, it is the April in 2025, and it is actually the day. It is admin professionals day, but there have been celebrations going on all month, which is absolutely amazing. Right? It is. It is a time to celebrate, the ones behind the scenes, the ones who maybe aren't behind the scenes, the ones who are in the in the front lines, in the front row, at the table. Right? The ones who are holding teams together.

Debra Coleman [00:01:37]:

And for all intents and purposes, the ones who are the calm and the chaos. Absolutely. This is a fantastic month to recognize all of us in the administrative professionals world. And if you are a coach or a trainer or a thought leader, thank you. Thank you for all of the celebrations that you have either led or joined this month and all of your efforts to help us feel seen and celebrated have not gone unnoticed. And believe me, we truly, truly appreciate them. And so I thank you if you happen to be listening. Thank you for all of the wonderful celebratory moments you've brought forward this month.

Debra Coleman [00:02:15]:

But this episode this episode is over the other side of the coin because I've been thinking about the ones we don't talk about enough. The ones who might not have a team right now. The ones who may be between jobs. The ones waiting on that callback or trying not to lose hope in the middle of a long, very long job search. The ones scrolling through all the administrative professional month post thinking, man, that used to be me. Will that ever be me again? If that's you, I want to take this mic and this moment to say, my friend, you still matter. You are still valuable, and you are not. Contrary to how you feel right now, you are not invisible.

Debra Coleman [00:03:11]:

See, I believe it can feel incredibly lonely when the confetti is flying and the team lunches are happening, and you're on the outside looking in. Especially in a field where so much of our identity is tied to serving others, being the go to, the right hand, or the fixer. You see, when that role is no longer a part of your day to day, it can make you question who you are. Truthfully, when that role is no longer a part of your day to day, it can make you question who you are because we give so much of ourselves into this role. For many of us, it really does. I hate to say it. I can't even believe I'm saying this, but it does in a way define who we are, at least in our nine to five lives. Right? But let me tell you, your job title didn't give you your worth.

Debra Coleman [00:04:08]:

News flash. It didn't give you your work ethic. It didn't give you your resourcefulness or your emotional intelligence or your ability to juggle 17 things and still remember someone's freaking birthday. Okay? That was all you. Absolutely you. You in all caps. And no layoff, no hiring freeze, no reorg or restructuring will or can take that from you. So if you're in that season right now, a quiet uncertain what's next for me kind of season, friend, I absolutely see you.

Debra Coleman [00:04:48]:

I absolutely do. And I want you to hear this. You are still an administrative professional. You are still a leader. You are still worthy of recognition even if it's not coming with a gift card or a team wide email. Right? Take this time, if you can, to breathe, to reset, to reflect, and to remind yourself of everything you bring to the table and everything you've already carried through. Yes. Everything you've already carried through.

Debra Coleman [00:05:27]:

And when you're ready, because my friend, you absolutely will be ready again. Trust on that. Walk back into that office, whether it's virtual, in person, or hybrid. Walk back in, my friend, like you never left because you didn't. You didn't. You just took a pause. If no one said it to you yet this month, let me be the one to say thank you for your hard work, for your impact, for your presence in this profession. We are better because you are in it working or not, and that's the truth.

Debra Coleman [00:06:10]:

So my friend, here is a big virtual hug. Here is your recognition. Here is your moment. And if you want to share your story, your experience, or even just say hi, I would love to hear from you. I'm all about it. You can always lead you leave me a voice mail or a message at the Have a Seat website, which I will I will link in the show notes. Because this show isn't just about conversation, It's also also about connection. So find me.

Debra Coleman [00:06:41]:

Reach out to me. I will be that hand to hold to hold your hand. I will be that other hand to hold your hand. I will pass the virtual tissue. I will just sit and look at you while you scream and vent at the screen. What whatever ever you need. I got you. I got you because we are all in this together.

Debra Coleman [00:06:59]:

It's about connection. It's about connection. Alright, my friend. Or find me on LinkedIn. I forgot. I'm also there. So drop me a line. Drop me a message.

Debra Coleman [00:07:08]:

I am here for you. Thank you. Thank you for your hard work, your impact, and your presence in this profession. It bears repeating. We are better because you are in it, working or not. %. Okay, my friend. That's just what I wanted to take a moment to say.

Debra Coleman [00:07:26]:

I just wanted to flip the script a little bit and give a slight tip of my hat to the other side of the coin and to let you know that if you are indeed in this what next season, you are seen. You are absolutely seen. Okay. Take care of yourself, please. And remember, you are not you are so not alone. You really aren't. This but this content today was just for you. And I will be back next week with more conversations.

Debra Coleman [00:07:56]:

And until then, I do have one homework assignment for you though if you're up for it. Stay safe, be well, and remember, keep having