In this episode on The Future Focused Admin, you co-hosts Jessica McBride and Candice Burningham welcome our guest Sabrina Whittaker to talk about "Goal-Setting That Sticks: Creating Intentional Plans for Success".

Sabrina is a web designer, developer, and technical writer with expertise in business analytics, digital marketing, and crafting equitable, socially conscious data-driven solutions.

The discussion centers on strategies for effective goal setting, particularly how to create intentional plans for success. Sabrina shares her journey from corporate to freelance, emphasizing the importance of values-aligned goals and long-term thinking. She introduces her unique 'two notebook' system for balancing creative and analytical tasks and provides insights into various goal-setting frameworks like SMART, OKRs, and Agile planning.

The conversation also touches on overcoming common obstacles, maintaining motivation, and ensuring personal goals are not overshadowed by professional demands. Listeners are encouraged to document their goals and utilize both digital and physical tools for tracking progress.

The best way to connect with Sabrina is via these links:

Website: https://www.sabrinawhittaker.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-n-whittaker

We want our listeners to stay connected with us on our social channels for updates on new episodes. So please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturefocusedadmin and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-future-focused-admin to join our growing global community and newsletter.

Remember, this podcast is all about admins. Subscribe & Follow for more conversations that elevate, empower, and redefine what it means to be an admin in today’s world. Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all!

If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com.

In Episode 6 of Season 3, we’re diving into one of the most nuanced and essential skills for admin professionals today: “Managing Up: Are Executives Open To It?”. Jodie joins us to unpack what managing up really means, how to approach it strategically (and respectfully), and why it’s a must-have skill for every modern admin.

Jodie Mears is a strategic C-Suite Executive Assistant, LinkedIn Top Voice, and respected thought leader in the administrative profession. With over 20 years’ experience across aviation, energy, and digital industries, she now supports executives at Bentley Systems, blending high-level support with strategic business insight.

She is the co-host of The Crodie Files podcast and an Advisory Board Member for The PA Show UK. Jodie is deeply passionate about elevating the admin profession through mentorship, speaking, and her highly sought-after coaching program. A certified Mental Health First Aider and Regional Wellness Lead, she also shares her insights in her monthly newsletter The Assist List and through industry publications.

In this episode, Jodie shares honest insights from her 20+ year career, including what executives really think about being “managed up,” how to build trust without overstepping, and practical ways to position yourself as a strategic partner rather than just a task-doer.

We’ve covered questions like:

- What exactly does it mean to manage up, and how is it different from being proactive?

- Are executives generally open to being “managed up,” or does resistance still exist?

- What role does trust, emotional intelligence, and company culture play?

- How can admins build credibility and influence in environments where managing up isn’t the norm?

We’re also loving Jodie’s final words of wisdom: “For me, the game changer was developing my business acumen, staying ahead of our industry trends and being the person who brought information back to them and position yourself as a strategic partner who can manage up rather than waiting to be told you can now do that. The more you elevate yourself, the more indispensable you become. So that was something that stuck with me is it's all about you”

So if you’ve ever felt unsure about how to influence upwards, advocate for your role, or be seen as a true business partner, this episode is for you. Jodie brings clarity, warmth, and wisdom to a topic that many admins navigate but few talk about openly.

You can connect with Jodie on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiemears.

You can learn all about and tune into The Crodie Files Podcast here: https://craigandjodie.com

As always, we want our listeners to stay connected with us on our social channels for updates on new episodes. So please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturefocusedadmin and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-future-focused-admin to join our growing global community and newsletter.

Remember, this podcast is all about admins. Subscribe & Follow for more conversations that elevate, empower, and redefine what it means to be an admin in today’s world.

Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all!

If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com.

In Episode 5 of Season 3, we sit down with Tara M. Sims on the topic of “Own Your Evolution: Taking Charge of Your Admin Career”, In this inspiring episode we sit down with powerhouse admin leader and author Tara M. Sims to explore how admin professionals can take ownership of their careers, redefine their roles, and evolve with intention.

From beauty school dreams to a transformative 11-year journey at Comcast, Tara shares how she found her "zone of genius" in the admin space and how her experience led to the writing of The Evolved Assistant. Together, they discuss the evolution of the role, the importance of visibility, and how assistants can advocate for themselves and their growth.

Key Takeaways

Following Unexpected Paths: Tara’s admin career began as a practical decision to accommodate her beauty school schedule, and ended up becoming her true calling.

The Evolution of the Admin Role: Tara reflects on how the assistant role has shifted from task-driven to strategic, emphasizing the need for EAs to be part of decision-making and business conversations.

Why She Wrote The Evolved Assistant: Sparked by the pandemic, Tara felt a calling to challenge outdated perceptions and empower assistants to embrace their full value and potential.

Rejecting the "Servant" Narrative: A passionate discussion around the term servant leadership and why Tara prefers support leader - a phrase that respects the leadership and impact of admin professionals.

Owning Your Career Growth:

- Ask for development opportunities.

- Track and communicate your impact.

- Build visibility inside and outside your organization.

- Join professional networks or create your own.

- Don’t wait! Take one intentional step forward.

Overcoming Plateaus: When you feel stuck, it’s a signal that it’s time to stretch. Tara shares how she created her own leadership role and encourages others to initiate conversations with their executives about growth.

Navigating Career Setbacks: Tara opens up about the hard decision to leave a long-term role at Comcast and how that leap led to a more balanced, fulfilling career with better support, boundaries, and compensation.

Building Confidence: Confidence is a byproduct of consistent action. Tara encourages assistants to keep a “portfolio of accomplishments” and not be afraid to make decisions or ask for feedback.

So tune in, listen now and get ready to evolve! Some of Tara’s Memorable Quotes “Career transformation is not linear. It’s consistent action and intentionality that moves you forward.” “We support the decision-makers. That’s power. We need to tap into that.” “We’re not just supporting, we’re leading. That’s why I prefer the term support leader.”

So if you haven’t already, check out ‘Evolved Assistant’ website where you can grab Tara’s book, connect with Tara for speaking opportunities and more.

The website is: https://www.evolvedassistant.com

And be sure connect with Tara on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taramariesims

The article Jessica referred to on “The Impact of Servant Leadership in an Organization” is here: https://businessleadershiptoday.com/what-is-the-impact-of-servant-leadership-in-an-organization/

In Episode 4 of Season 3, we sit down with Kristina Willis to discuss the topic of “Building Your Brand & Advocating for Admins: A Conversation”. Kristina is a versatile leadership partner with proven expertise in managing operational, administrative, and people-centered strategies on behalf of C-Suite Leaders. At the time of this recording, she was the Chief of Staff to the CEO at We Are Rosie, but is now the ‘Head of Customer Success’ at ShareCal. Kristina shares her incredible journey from falling into an Executive Assistant role at a luxury resort in The Bahamas to stepping into a strategic Chief of Staff position. With heartfelt honesty and tactical insights, she shows how building visibility, owning your voice, and taking bold action can open doors - no matter your title.

We cover Kristina’s career journey, her Adweek 50 award, why personal branding matters, career growth & advocacy, the evolving admin role and community & mentorship.

Kristina’s Top Takeaways from this episode are:

- Be unapologetically you. Your personal brand starts with authenticity, not imitation.

- Over-deliver, every time. Consistency and follow-through build undeniable credibility.

- Track your wins. Data and stories are your proof points—use them when advocating for growth.

Her action steps for Admins are:

- Block time with your Executive to discuss your wins, aspirations, and development goals.

- Advocacy starts with intentional conversations. Don’t wait for your next performance review.

We’re loving Kristina’s final words of wisdom: “You do not have to do this alone, and you’re not intended to. The trajectory of your career starts with you. Don’t wait for someone to hand you the next step. Start connecting, conversing, and allowing others to inspire you in a way that propels you forward.” - Kristina Willis

You can connect with Kristina on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-willis.

If you’d like to know more about ShareCal, check them out here: https://sharecal.io.

Kristina would love the opportunity to give a demo to any admins who would like to know more about this amazing product (which we use ourselves over at The Future Focused Admin). As always, we want our listeners to stay connected with us on our social channels for updates on new episodes.

So please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturefocusedadmin and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-future-focused-admin to join our growing global community and newsletter.

Remember, this podcast is all about admins. Subscribe & Follow for more conversations that elevate, empower, and redefine what it means to be an admin in today’s world. Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all! If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com.

In this episode of The Future Focused Admin podcast, co-hosts Jessica McBride and Candice Burningham are joined by Darcy Bennet, an accomplished Executive Assistant and Founder of DB Executive Services.

Darcy shares her extensive experience in event planning, from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences, offering valuable insights into balancing creativity and logistics. She highlights the importance of communication, strategic planning, and vendor management.

Darcy also discusses overcoming event challenges, maximizing budgets, and the significance of building strong industry relationships.

This episode provides actionable tips for admins looking to enhance their event planning skills and showcases how event planning can elevate their roles and careers.

We loved chatting with Darcy and know you will too. She's most active on LinkedIn so connect with Darcy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcybennet

Also, be sure to check out DB Executive Services at: www.dbexecutiveservices.com

Stay connected with us on our social channels for updates on new episodes. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thefuturefocusedadmin and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-future-focused-admin to join our growing global community.

Remember, this podcast is all about admins. Subscribe & Follow for more conversations that elevate, empower, and redefine what it means to be an admin in today’s world. Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all!

If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com. ⁠

Season 3 - Ep 2: Money Matters: Tackling Debt & Building Financial Confidence for Admins with Khadiza Ali from Changed

In this episode, Khadiza Ali, Community Manager at Changed, a leading financial wellness platform, joins us to discuss how administrative professionals can take control of their finances. Learn about practical strategies to manage debt, build savings, and achieve financial goals through automated round-ups and personalized approaches.

Khadiza’s insights are crucial for admins seeking to build financial confidence.

We also spotlight other influential women in the financial education space, including:

• Simran Kaur (Girls That Invest) – Helping women and underrepresented communities take control of their financial future. Visit Girls That Invest.
• Victoria Devine (She’s On The Money) – Empowering millennial women with financial tools. Visit She’s On The Money.
• Tori Dunlap (Her First $100K) – A money expert helping women build financial independence. Visit Her First $100K.

These experts are all working to close the gender wealth gap and provide accessible financial education, offering resources for admins and women to become financially independent and savvy.

How financially secure are you?

• Do you have an emergency fund?
• Are you living paycheck to paycheck?
  Join the conversation and share your thoughts on financial wellness with us on our LinkedIn page: The Future Focused Admin LinkedIn.

Stay connected for more practical financial tips and empowering conversations on our social media channels:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe and share it with other admins who might benefit from these tips. Join the global community and elevate your financial confidence with us.

For feedback, ideas, or questions, drop us an email at hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Future Focused Admin Podcast Show!

We’re kicking off 2025 with an exciting announcement: the official launch of The Future Focused Admin Community! In this episode, co-founders Candice Burningham and Jessica McBride take you behind the scenes of this brand-new global network designed by admins, for admins. Whether you're looking to level up your career, expand your network, or gain access to cutting-edge resources, this is the community you’ve been waiting for.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why we created The Future Focused Admin Community
• What makes this community different from anything out there
• Exclusive benefits you’ll receive as a member
• How to join and start connecting today
• A sneak peek at upcoming events, training, and networking opportunities

If you’re ready to take your admin career to the next level, visit thefuturefocusedadmin.com and be part of the future of the profession. If you would like a copy of our Business Case template to help you seek investment from your workplace to join the Career Growth Hub or Legacy Builders membership tier, click here. Stay connected with us on our social channels for updates on new episodes.

Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to join our growing global community. Remember, this podcast is all about admins.

Subscribe & Follow for more conversations that elevate, empower, and redefine what it means to be an admin in today’s world. Thank you for being a part of The Future Focused Admin Podcast. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and share with your admin friends and community. We welcome you all! If you have anything you want to share, have an idea or just want to connect, drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@thefuturefocusedadmin.com. ⁠

In this final episode, Candice and Jessica reflect on the challenges of 2024. A year that tested resilience and revealed the hard work so many admins put in. Burnout was a common theme, and we opened up about our own journey through a year of deep reflection, learning to embrace setbacks, and growing stronger through the lessons they brought.

Looking ahead, we delve into how the admin profession is poised to evolve over the next five years in an increasingly tech-driven world. From navigating the shifting landscape to understanding the profound impact of AI on the profession, we discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future.

Here’s what we cover:

AI’s Impact on Admin Work: Automation tools are streamlining tasks like scheduling, document management, and first-line support. Entry-level admins will focus on managing tech and automation tools.

Skills for the Future: Admins need digital fluency and foundational AI skills to adapt and thrive. Training will focus on mastering automation and overseeing tech solutions.

A Shift to Strategic: Support Roles are evolving from reactive tasks to proactive operational support.

Advanced admins will handle complex scheduling, predictive analytics, and hybrid work logistics.

Opportunities for Growth:

Emphasis on project management and strategic partnerships with executives. Diverse paths for growth, whether transactional or strategic.

We believe that the admin profession is at a pivotal moment. By embracing AI and new tech, admins can enhance their roles and stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to share an exciting announcement: The Future Focused Admin is growing beyond the podcast! We’re bringing together The Tech Savvy Assistant Community and The Admin Collective Community under one unified parent company to create a vibrant new admin community.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:

Podcast & Guests: Ongoing interviews with diverse experts to explore the future of admin roles. Newsletter: Launching soon, featuring podcast updates, exclusive downloads, and curated insights. Microlearning Focus: Short, interactive sessions designed for real-world application.
Global Reach: Live and recorded content tailored for admins worldwide. We’re building a forward-thinking, supportive community to help admins thrive.

Membership:

Newcomers & Career Starters: Foundational resources for newcomers.

Career Growth Hub: Access to our Knowledge Hub with tools and insights for experienced admins.

Legacy Builders: Opportunities for seasoned professionals to mentor, teach, and leave an impact. So subscribe here NOW to join us on this exciting new endeavour:

https://www.futurefocusedadmin.com/launchlist

This episode is sponsored by Admin Avenues. The Admin Avenues network is a professional and lifestyle information platform, designed to assist admin professionals in finding relevant education, tools & systems, access to admin communities and more. They provide free access and support for admin professionals no matter what stage you’re at in your admin career.

Go to https://www.adminavenues.com and join the network today.