The Crodie Files Podcast - For Administrative Assistants and Business Support Professionals

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In this episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears talk about one of the biggest challenges assistants face. 
Many of us wait for permission before we take action or put ourselves forward. 
Craig and Jodie explore why this happens, how the role has changed, and what it looks like to move into a more proactive and confident place in your career.
They talk honestly about the fear of being seen, the pressure to look busy, and the belief that hard work will speak for itself. 
They share real stories from their own careers and explain how small, steady actions help you build a strong reputation over time.

Listener Question
“I often hear that personal brand matters even when you are not looking for a new role. But what does that actually mean for an assistant? How do I show my value without feeling like I am selling myself?”

Expert Contributor
Émer McCarthy, Principal Consultant at C&C Search, explains what a personal brand looks like for assistants. 
She shares why your personal brand is simply the reputation you have when you are not in the room, and how small, helpful actions build trust over time. 
Emer also talks about reliability, sharing solutions, asking for feedback, and supporting your network.

Episode Highlights
Why assistants get stuck waiting for permission and how to break the habit.
The mindset shift that helps you move from doing the work to showing the value.
How to use quiet days to spot problems, try new ideas, and be more proactive.
Why hard work alone will not make you visible and what actually does.
The banker and builder mindset that helps you grow instead of staying stuck.
A simple explanation of personal brand for assistants who do not want to brag.
The small daily actions that build trust, confidence, and new career chances.
Value Bomb
Émer McCarthy: " it's simply the reputation that you have when you're not in the room"
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In this episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears explore how assistants can build influence and visibility inside their organisations through intentional relationship-building. From bridging departments to boosting confidence, they unpack why internal networking is one of the most underrated career tools for EAs, and how external connections can quietly feed back into your internal success.
Listener Question
“I keep hearing that internal networking is important, but I have no idea where to start. What does it actually look like in practice for an assistant?”
Expert Contributor
Kristina Willis (Head of Customer Success & former EA) shares a practical roadmap for assistants to begin internal networking, from identifying who to know, to starting small conversations that build momentum.
Episode Highlights
Internal networking 101: why assistants need to be visible beyond their exec
The long-game mindset- networking when you’re not desperate for outcomes
Building bridges across IT, marketing, and reception for faster results
How internal visibility protects your career when your exec moves on
Turning external relationships into internal wins
The introvert’s guide to confident connection
EA-led onboarding: the simplest way to start internal networking
Value Bomb

Kristina Willis: “The goal should always be to look inward first and ask yourself, who do you admire at your company and why?”
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Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
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In this bonus episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears are joined by Fiona Young (founder of Carve) to go past “draft my email” and “summarise this deck.” We unpack how assistants can use AI for real, outcomes-focused impact: diagnosing diary inefficiencies, building lightweight automations, sharpening decision-making, and even “vibe-coding” practical tools without being a developer. If you’ve dabbled and now you’re asking “What’s next?”, this one’s for you.
Listener Question
Danielle (Boston, investment management):
“I’ve used AI for basics like emails and slide decks, but I want to spot patterns, remove bottlenecks and anticipate needs. How do assistants move beyond simple tasks and free up time for higher-value work?”
Episode Highlights
AI beyond time-saving: use it to challenge your thinking, surface blind spots, and strengthen judgment
COIF prompting (Context, Output, Intent, Format): a simple way to get higher-quality results consistently
Tool-stacking wins: combine systems to automate end-to-end workflows
Calendar analytics that matter: analyse time use and propose real changes
Better briefings, faster: market intel, competitor scans, VIP prep
Becoming a builder: why “vibe-coding” with AI is now within reach for EAs
Mindset shift: define your higher-value work first; then use AI to create the capacity to do it
Value Bombs
Craig Bryson: “I’m looking at AI as helping me do the things that are monotonous and mundane so I can focus on the things that are important that the AI cannot do. (00:06:49)

 Jodie Mears: “It’s not just about prompt writing, begin, middle and end. Can you confidently articulate to someone verbally if they were in person the same way you're articulating to the LLM online? It's that kind of conversation.” (00:15:50)

 Fiona Young: “If you look at what's the next level, it's actually AI can help us to literally think differently. It can fill in for gaps in our thinking. Fill in for our biases, for our blind spots, to be able to actually be a sparring partner. (00:08:00)
Free Resources
Download Fiona’s Carve prompts guide + prompt library: https://joincarve.com/prompts-guide-signup
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Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
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This episode is sponsored by C&C Search – London’s leading recruitment partner for business support and HR professionals in finance and professional services. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or want to elevate your team, follow C&C Search. Because brilliant people deserve brilliant support.
In this episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears explore one of the most requested  and misunderstood topics in the admin profession:
How do you influence outcomes and shape decisions when you don’t have formal authority?
From communication skills to confidence, from planting seeds of change to building trust, they share actionable ways to increase your influence without waiting for a title, promotion, or permission.
Listener Question:
"I find it really hard to push back on senior leaders without sounding negative or difficult. How can I challenge or influence when I don’t feel like I have the authority to say no?"
Together, they unpack what it really takes to lead without authority and why influence is a skill you can practice, no matter your personality or level.
Episode Highlights:
The paradox of influence in the admin profession and why it’s more important than ever
Why influence starts with clarity, confidence, and communication
Persuasion vs. influence: which mindset works better?
How to use internal networks to amplify your voice and impact
The power of the “Friday Wins Tracker” to showcase your value
Practical sentence starters to help you influence outcomes respectfully
How to push back on senior leaders without damaging relationships
Value Bombs:
Craig Bryson: “You don’t need a title to lead  but you do need to build credibility through connection and collaboration.” (00:05:00)
Jodie Mears: “Influence isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about planting the seed of change in a way that others can’t ignore.” (00:04:00)
Craig Bryson: “Sometimes, ‘no’ is a full sentence. But if that feels too hard, try reframing it into a question that puts the ball back in their court.” (00:14:00)

Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

Got questions? Don't hesitate to submit them via our website. Buckle up and join us on this journey of discovery and personal growth.

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Send us Fan Mail
This episode is sponsored by C&C Search – London’s leading recruitment partner for business support and HR professionals in finance and professional services. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or want to elevate your team, follow C&C Search. Because brilliant people deserve brilliant support.
In this bonus episode, Craig Bryson and Jodie Mears are joined by Lucy Chamberlain, founder of C&C Search, to explore a question many assistants are grappling with:

How do you position yourself in a crowded, cautious job market, without pretending to be someone you’re not?
Whether you’re job hunting or raising your profile in your current role, Lucy shares practical, personal, and strategic advice on how to stand out authentically.

Listener Question:
"I’ve been in the same company for nine years and love my role, but leadership says I’m not visible enough. How do I show up more without looking desperate?"

Lucy helps reframe visibility as something quiet, credible, and completely within reach.

Episode Highlights:

Why today’s job market feels so tough and how to stay optimistic
The 3Cs of career positioning: Competence, Courage, Compassion
Strong candidate vs. visible candidate: What’s the difference?
CV strategies that highlight real impact and growth
Ways to use LinkedIn without needing to post
How to increase visibility inside your company (without the cringe)
Why emotional intelligence is a hiring differentiator
Smart strategies for introverts navigating networking
Value Bombs:
Lucy Chamberlain: “Power doesn’t mean control. It means choice. And choosing to own your brilliance is the first step to standing out.” (00:15:00)
Jodie Mears: “Visibility isn’t about shouting the loudest it’s about making your impact easy to see.” (00:25:00)
Craig Bryson: “You can’t get recognised if no one knows what you bring to the table. Ask your exec: What are your goals? And how can I align mine with yours?” (00:29:00)
Support the show
Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your network, especially those navigating job searches or career crossroads right now. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.
Got questions?
We’d love to hear from you. Submit your listener question via our website or drop us a DM on LinkedIn, we might just feature your question next!
Support the show

Help us stay visible to you by sharing this episode with someone in your circle as well as following and subscribing so you never miss an episode.
Supporters will get a shout-out on social media and in future episodes.

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