2026 Future Fluent Series: Skills That Set You Apart

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 12:00-1:15 PM | Virtual

Empathy and Clarity for Challenging Conversations

It can sometimes be difficult to find the right words when you want to graciously stand up for yourself, establish or maintain boundaries, or communicate a need for improvement or change. We need to find the right words and tone, whether we’re dealing with good people behaving in ways we find frustrating, or with a person who seems to enjoy creating challenges or conflict.

We can prepare for challenging conversations through practice, and by focusing on the outcomes we’d like to achieve. We can draw on our emotional intelligence skills and manage ourselves rather than reacting to people in a manner that can earn us our own “difficult” label.

You’ll learn how to lead with empathy without being a pushover. You’ll gain practical strategies to help you navigate conflict and sensitive situations, including delivering bad news. We’ll look at communicating with clarity as you seek understanding, strive to defuse tensions and collaborate on ways to move forward.

Skills You'll Build

• Deepen understanding through objectivity and empathy.

• Strengthen self-awareness to adapt your approach.

• Communicate with clarity and confidence across channels.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 12:00-1:15 PM | Virtual

Business Writing and Grammar Skills for Our Digital World

More than ever, we rely on written communications circulated over various digital platforms. This heightens potential for communication miscues and misinterpretations. It also heightens the importance of our capacity to write with clarity that reflects professionalism, knowledge and understanding of organizational culture.

We need to write concisely, using good grammar and reflecting insights on those who read our work.

In this refresher course, we’ll identify some of the most common errors in business writing and how to prepare concise communications underpinned by good grammar, proper punctuation and organizational knowledge. Along the way, you’ll laugh – and groan! – as we look at actual communications faux pas, while Shelagh illustrates the importance of proofreading.

Skills You'll Build

• Write concisely, with clarity and logic
• Avoid the most common errors in business writing
• Apply grammar and proofreading practices that enhance your professional reputation

Thursday, February 19, 2026 | In Person at the Adminstrative Professionals Retreat 

Emotional, Cultural and Artificial Intelligence as Your Differentiators

What sets you apart in your career? Many workplaces are increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence (AI), yet we truly differentiate ourselves when we balance technical skills with those associated with cultural and emotional intelligence (CQ and EQ/EI). The people we most admire typically connect with others and succeed because they embody human-centric skills that also elevate their likability, influence and impact.

We’ll wrap up this series in person during ADVIS’ Retreat for Administrative Professionals. In this session, exclusively for cohort members, we’ll explore the trio of cultural, emotional and artificial intelligence, and how they represent opportunities to amplify your value. You’ll gain GenAI insights as we explore how other assistants are using such resources, and Shelagh Donnelly will draw on her extensive experience to help you elevate the emotional and cultural intelligence skills that can help you differentiate yourself and represent value to your school.

Skills You'll Build

• Gain insights on the trio of intelligences that can help you amplify your value
• Learn how other assistants are using GenAI
• Build future-focused skills for career currency, and prepare to thrive

Shelagh Donnelly

Speaker, Trainer and Writer
Founder, Exceptional EA

Authentic, expert and inspiring, Shelagh (pronounced “Sheila”) Donnelly cares about your success. This former private school girl walked your walk for decades, as an assistant and in education. Shelagh began her career in the corporate sector, where she reported to C-Suite executives before becoming a software trainer for the same national corporation. As her family grew, she made the move to education, working initially in K-12 before spending two decades in higher education.

Over the course of her office career, Shelagh co-launched internal networks that function to this day. She’s led multiple projects, teams, and a corporate division. She’s had the benefit of her own assistants, chaired a national board of directors, and continues to be a lifelong learner.

In college environments, Shelagh was a direct report to four CEOs. She honed governance expertise through ongoing education while working alongside four board chairs. She launched her Exceptional EA website in 2013, and assistants around the globe trust and turn to Shelagh for the insights and practical perspectives she delivers with a healthy sense of humor.

Since leaving the office environment in 2018, Shelagh has traveled to 11 countries to deliver keynotes and other presentations. She challenges, educates and inspires assistants who want to perform at a high level in careers they enjoy. She works with assistants and management in education, healthcare and utilities, and in corporations including the NBA … and we’re delighted to welcome Shelagh back to ADVIS.