What I Think of Admin Appreciation Day
An Unpopular Opinion?
Today is Admin Appreciation Day.
It’s a day where admins across the board are celebrated for everything they do behind the scenes to bring order to chaos. And we sure as hell do a lot.
But why do I feel so undeserving of this day?
Every year since I’ve been an EA, I would get nervous on Admin Appreciation Day. For someone who thrives off of being behind the scenes, this is the one day a year I would be in the spotlight, and that made me uncomfortable.
So what would I do? I would shine that light on others.
On this day each year, I made it a point to buy boxes of donuts or chocolates or cookies for all the folks at and outside of the company who helped me do my job really well. This included the entire IT team, the Front Desk, the Security team, the Shipping & Mailing department, the Kitchen/Coffee Shop teams, the parking garage attendants, travel agents or other super helpful external vendors, restaurant managers who helped me pull resos last minute, and the like.
And I would write a note to each of them saying “Today is Admin Appreciation Day, but our team would not be able to do what we do or excel at what we do without the help of your team. Thank you for helping us shine and do our job well!”
As a representative of the Admin Team at our company, I wanted to do this. I’m sure there were folks who disagreed with that approach, but I genuinely believe that we don’t do what we do all on our own, and we should equally appreciate the folks who help us at the drop of a hat.
With that said, the more I think about it, the more I realize this is also the doing of my imposter syndrome.
“Who am I to be deserving of a whole day devoted to my role?”
“Wait, but I’m just doing my job to the best of my ability, why is there a day appreciating EAs?”
To this day, I don’t know if I could ever appreciate and accept Admin Appreciation Day for what it is - a day to celebrate people like me. Not because I don’t believe in it or don’t think admins should deserve such a day, but because under most circumstances, I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight. It’s a me issue.
And also I’m weird… and clearly confused.
I don’t like public shout outs (but, sometimes I do). I don’t like being the center of attention (I mean, sometimes I do, but mostly I don’t). And I’m just here to do my job really well (but also, ain’t nobody gon stop you if you want to give me public recognition lol).
This below is me in a nutshell! :)
All jokes aside, I acknowledge that the job we do is extremely difficult. EAs make the impossible possible. We are resourceful. We are creative problem solvers. We get shit done and make shit happen.
Am I proud of the work I do as an EA, and should admins get their own appreciation day? Yes.
Do I still feel that we should be thankful and show gratitude to all the other folks who help us do what we do? Also yes.
If you’re an EA reading this, props to you for all that you do because I know it’s a lot. And we don’t often get the recognition we deserve because so much of what we do is quietly done without our execs ever knowing.
Have a wonderful Admin Appreciation Day, and I hope you are showered with attention, flowers, gifts, and shout outs from everyone around you!
If you’re on a team that works closely with EAs, thank YOU as well. I know that I’ve had to rely on people like you to help me with emergencies, favors, fires, changes, etc. And honestly, I could not do what I do without people like you.
If you’re an executive reading this, thank you for acknowledging your admin on Admin Appreciation Day, but also don’t forget to appreciate them and show your gratitude for them throughout the year whenever opportunities arise. That’s way more impactful and valuable than celebrating on one day of the year.
To the executives I currently support (and to so many I’ve supported before), you all are the best. Thank you for always making me feel appreciated and cared for in so many different ways, not just on Admin Appreciation Day, but throughout my years working for you.
Happy Admin Appreciation Day!