The Partnership Playbook was built on a simple but powerful belief: that the executive-admin relationship is one of the most underinvested partnerships in any organization. In this episode, Melissa Mahoney and her Executive Administrative Partner, Chris Cason, don't just talk about that belief — they live it. Together, they open up about the final three sections of the books and what it meant to explore them as two people already in the work together. This is a conversation about trust, about...
Jul 8
36 min
What if the biggest barrier to stepping into your leadership potential isn't skill — it's identity? In this episode of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates, hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney welcome Danielle Adams-Wiltshire, PCC — certified professional coach, TED fellows coach, facilitator, and the trainer behind IAAP's Aspire: Next Level leadership conference — for a conversation that starts with a simple but powerful premise: administrative professionals are already leaders. The que...
Jun 24
24 min
Administrative professionals have always been the ones keeping everything on track — the timelines, the priorities, the people, the moving parts. But what happens when you pair that instinct with real project management strategy and the right tech tools to back it up? That's exactly what the Innovation Lab at Summit 2026 is designed to find out. In this episode of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates, hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney sit down with Innovation Lab facilitators Mary Beth Imbar...
Jun 10
24 min
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...
May 27
25 min
What would it mean to have someone fully in your corner — asking the right questions, holding space for your growth, and helping you see what you can't always see in yourself? In this episode of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates, hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney get personal. No guests, no agenda — just an honest conversation about their own experiences with coaching and what it's opened up for each of them personally and professionally. Because coaching isn't just for executives or peop...
May 13
26 min
What does it really mean to earn the Certified Administrative Professional credential — and what does it take to get there? In this season premiere of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates, hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney sit down with IAAP's credentialing manager Katie Mercier, CAP, for a conversation that's equal parts personal and practical. Katie brings a rare perspective: she's not only the expert behind the program, she's a former admin who earned her CAP and knows firsthand what it m...
Apr 17
25 min
Have you ever noticed how one person can completely change the energy of a room? As an admin, you have that power every single day – and it's one of the most underestimated superpowers in the workplace. In this heartfelt episode, Melissa and Rachel explore something beautiful: how admins naturally sit at the crossroads of people's lives at work, perfectly positioned to be the person who makes everything flow a little smoother, feel a little warmer, and work a little better. But here's the thi...
Oct 15, 2025
32 min
Picture this: You've just settled in to tackle that important project when three "urgent" requests hit your desk simultaneously. Sound familiar? In this episode, Melissa and Rachel dive into the daily whirlwind that every admin knows – when everything feels like a fire that needs putting out right now. Here's the thing: not all urgent requests are created equal, and some of your most valuable work might never feel urgent at all. Using the time-tested Eisenhower Matrix, Melissa and Rachel help...
Oct 1, 2025
26 min
Do you ever feel like your contributions go unnoticed, or wonder why a simple "thank you" sometimes falls flat? In this episode, Melissa and Rachel break down the crucial differences between recognition, value, acknowledgment, and praise – and why understanding these distinctions can transform how you experience appreciation at work. They dive into the foundational truth that recognizing your own value must come first, before anyone else can truly see and celebrate your contributions. You'll...
Sep 17, 2025
34 min
We've all been there – frustrated with our executive and needing to vent. But what happens when our private frustrations become public complaints? In this episode, Melissa and Rachel tackle the balance between feeling heard and accidentally sabotaging the partnerships we're trying to build. They explore how airing grievances publicly can breed resentment and undermine trust essential for effective collaboration. You'll discover why seeking validation at someone else's expense works against y...
Sep 3, 2025
29 min
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