209: Diana läutet den Sommer ein und macht auf neue Weiterbildungsformate aufmerksam.
Sollten euch die Themen interessieren, geht es hier entlang für mehr Infos:

On Demand Projektmanagement Kurs mit Christine Maurer

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPXUSk8EtR4

Anmeldung und weitere Infos: https://forms.gle/6B8B3cwcDC8LoAZL7

Speak Up Live Seminar mit Margit Lieverz am 11. Dezember in Frankfurt

Anmeldung und weitere Infos: https://forms.gle/bmUqMApjgef4p6Sx9

memox KI Roadshow 2026: https://www.memox.com/roadshow/

Wer den monatlichen Newsletter noch nicht kennt: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Und zum Schluss freuen wir uns über eine 5-Sterne-Bewertung des Podcasts. Danke für die Treue!

208: In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Afful to explore how the Executive Assistant profession is evolving.

We discuss how Executive Assistants can take ownership of their careers, develop a powerful mindset, and build the skills needed to thrive in the future of work.

In this episode, you'll discover:

- How professional communities accelerate career growth

- Why mindset is the foundation of a successful Executive Assistant career

- How AI is reshaping the administrative profession

- How the Global Skills Matrix supports long-term career development

- The importance of networking, visibility, and lifelong learning

If you enjoy this one and past episodes, don't forget to subscribe and share with your network.

--

Rebecca Afful is an accomplished Executive Assistant, Career Strategist, author, speaker, and professional development advocate. She is the Founder and President of the Network of Administrative Professionals of Ghana (NAPG), a growing community dedicated to empowering administrative professionals through learning, networking, mentorship, and career advancement.

With over a decade of experience supporting senior executives in multinational and international nonprofit environments, Rebecca has built a reputation for excellence in executive support, leadership support, stakeholder management, and professional development.

She is the author of Level Up Your Career: Simple Actionable Steps, Strategies and Tips for a Fulfilling Career and Cracking the LinkedIn Code: The 4Ps Framework to Transform Your Profile, Build Your Network & Unlock Opportunities. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, she helps professionals gain career clarity, strengthen their personal brands, and position themselves for growth opportunities.

Rebecca is passionate about helping professionals develop fulfilling careers, increase their visibility, and prepare for the future of work.

AI TOOLS MENTIONED DURING THE PODCAST

- Genspark AI – Presentations and AI-assisted content creation: https://www.genspark.ai

- Lovable – Website building using AI prompts: https://lovable.dev

- Claude – Writing, research, and productivity assistant: https://claude.ai

- HeyGen – AI video creation and avatars: https://www.heygen.com

MORE LINKS:

- Diana Brandl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

- Rebecca Afful on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-a-afful/

- Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

- Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

- Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

The Executive Office Insights Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

Guest Picks: Hall of Fame by The Script

207: What does it take to move beyond managing calendars and become a trusted business partner?

In this episode, we explore the future of the Executive Assistant profession and the mindset shift required to create strategic impact. Debbie shares powerful lessons on executive presence, communication, leadership, and why soft skills remain essential in the age of AI.

From building trust with leaders to using data to drive better decisions, this conversation offers practical insights for Executive Assistants, Administrative Professionals, and Chiefs of Staff who want to think beyond tasks and create real value. We also discuss how the role is evolving, why AI won't replace great assistants, and what it takes to become a true business partner.

Whether you're looking to strengthen your executive presence, future-proof your career, or elevate your role, you'll find plenty of inspiration and actionable ideas in this conversation.

---

Debbie Gross knows that administrative excellence is about more that juggling schedules and managing tasks. An intuitive leader, she offers a fresh approach to teaching administrative professionals how to upgrade their soft skills and build confidence. Whether on stage or in the classroom, she has an innate ability to transform staff into leaders, drawing out their inner "Office Rockstar."

As the former Chief Executive Assistant to John Chambers, the past CEO of Cisco – a global corporation based in Silicon Valley – Debbie supported the company's growth from a multimillion-dollar business to a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Known as John's "right hand," she increased his productivity by 40 percent.

Debbie designed initiatives and programs that helped the global administrative community at Cisco grow and thrive. Now she is using her thirty years of experience to help the next generation of administrative professionals' transition from overwhelmed task managers to strategic business partners.

She has spoken globally and conducted interactive workshops and motivational talks at companies such as Cisco, Veritas, Facebook, FedEx, Comcast, and Intel. Debbie does not just share information – she inspires and incites greatness. Her distinctive teaching style blends creativity, fun, and new thought processes to help administrative professionals gain a greater satisfaction, recognition, and promotions.

For her passion and advocacy, the Admin Awards of Silicon Valley presented her with Colleen Barrett Award, the highest recognition given for administrative excellence.

Debbie genuinely cares about each one of her clients and her 'one-of-a-kind' approach to training transforms a good administrative professional or executive assistant into someone who is an amazing and true business partner!

LINKS:

- Diana Brandl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/
- Debbie Gross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarama/
- Website from Debbie Gross: http://www.debbiegross.com

- Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter
- Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS
- Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

The Executive Office Insights Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

Guest Picks
Feels like a rockstar - Kenny Chesney