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Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates
Welcome to 'Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates' where Melissa Mahoney and Rachel Suman, CXO of IAAP, lead listeners on an enlightening journey into the world of administrative professionals. In each episode, Melissa and Rachel share practical insights, real-life stories, and actionable advice to empower administrative professionals at every stage of their careers. From navigating workplace challenges to embracing technology and fostering personal growth, 'Beyond the Desk' covers a wide range of topics relevant to administrative professionals. Join Melissa and Rachel as they redefine the narrative surrounding administrative work and inspire listeners to reach new heights in their professional lives. Whether you're a seasoned admin or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for success in the administrative world. Tune in and discover what lies 'Beyond the Desk'!
Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates
You Are the Culture: Kindness, Connection, and the Admin Advantage
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What if the most powerful thing you bring to work every day isn't your skills or your systems — but your capacity for genuine human connection? That's the question at the heart of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney's conversation with Shola Richards, the kindness champion, bestselling author, and returning favorite of the IAAP community. Shola is back — first as a guest on this podcast, and then on the Summit stage in Los Angeles, where his opening keynote, Our Power Is in Our Hands, will set the tone for the entire Summit 2026 experience. In this conversation, Shola unpacks what it really means to be a culture carrier and connector, why kindness is not the same as niceness, and how administrative professionals are uniquely positioned to be the most powerful change agents in any organization. You'll leave with practical strategies you can put to work immediately — and with a serious case of Summit FOMO if you aren't already registered.
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