“Cognitive schemas—thought structures—influence what we notice and how the things we notice get interpreted.” Michelle Alexander

At all stages of a person's career, discrimination and bias persist. Despite all anti-discrimination and fair work policies in place, bias exists in the workplace, and it is largely unconscious and instinctual. While we all like to believe we're free of bias, we're all guilty of it at times. Executive support professionals, in particular, are subjected to a slew of stereotypes. The role of executive assistants is rife with gender bias, which undervalues their work. While many EAs have professional degrees and perform diverse functions, it is bewildering why the occupation still remains pigeon-holed in irrelevant stereotypes in so many business spheres.

While transparency is considered a critical part of an organisation, career pathways to career growth through promotions and compensation remain complex and challenging for women in business in general. For executive support professionals, it can be doubly so.

The evolving role of the executive and their executive assistant ... and THE opportunity

 Over time, an executive assistant's job role has evolved to mirror the leadership abilities of their executive. Most are equipped to partner with corporate leaders as involved strategic business partners. However, despite the evolution of the self-sufficient executive and their more-strategic right-hand, assistants are subject to decisions that impact their career growth due to bias nonetheless.

The topic of unconscious bias is awkward and sensitive. However, there has never been a more poignant time in business than right now to elevate the issue further. Unconscious Bias training is becoming a crucial and effective component of diversity and inclusion efforts around the world. As the C-suite recognises and doubles down on DEI measures and strategies to educate their people about unconscious bias, executive and personal assistants also need to seize the moment. This heightened focus on DEI for global businesses presents an opportunity for administrative support to build their capabilities through awareness and knowledge growth.

How do we tackle unconscious bias in the workplace?

Organisations and their people can be at the forefront of bringing change to make it more acceptable to challenge unconscious bias and be part of conversations in a safe environment.

Part of the challenge is overcoming our instinctive attitudes. However, if we are willing to champion change, we can become architects of the solution. Unconscious bias training for executive assistants is crucial to help people recognise these biases and see people for who they really are in terms of competency. Understanding unconscious bias and what you can do to change perceptions is the first step in challenging bias and stereotypes. Unconscious bias training assists in recognising the existence of such biases and provides solutions for reducing their impact on professional interactions and decisions.  

Confront the biases, not the people 

“It's not at all hard to understand a person; it's only hard to listen without bias.”
― Criss Jami

 The first step to confronting biases is to acknowledge that no one person is immune to them.

Your biases must be addressed head-on without incorporating any personal grudges. Challenging an overt or covert manifestation of internalised bias helps maintain and nurture workplace civility and empowers employees to recognise their own biases. Until they are faced with reality, most people are unaware that they have certain subconscious preconceptions about a group. Many studies have found that groups have implicit prejudices towards their own kind, which they are unaware of. Calling it out in the most courteous manner is beneficial to you, them, and the workplace.

The Global Assistant Online is supporting International Women's Day 2022 and again getting behind their theme, #breakthebias. In 2021 we developed an Unconscious Bias Training Program specific to administrative professionals in executive support. This much-needed program educates and upskills career executive, personal and administrative assistants in this important DEI issue, equipping them to upscale their contribution and advocacy of DEI measures in a post-pandemic, dynamic workplace. Learn more.