For decades, administrative professionals have been the backbone of organizations, ensuring operations run smoothly, executives stay on track, and processes remain efficient. Yet still, in many workplaces, bureaucracy is the unspoken villain, slowing down progress with layers of approvals, redundant steps, and outdated procedures.

What if admins adopted the “Move Fast and Break Things” mindset? What if, instead of maintaining the status quo, they became the driving force behind breaking bureaucratic barriers?

The Burden of Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy exists for a reason: structure, accountability, and consistency. But when processes become so rigid that they hinder productivity, they need to be challenged. Administrative professionals are often the first to spot inefficiencies, whether it’s an approval process that takes too long, a reporting system bogged down by unnecessary steps, or a decision-making chain that is overly complex.

Rather than accepting these bottlenecks as “just the way things are,” admins have the power to question, refine, and streamline.

How Admins Can Break Bureaucratic Barriers

1. Rethink Approval Processes

Many organizations require multiple layers of approval for even minor decisions. While oversight is necessary, excessive sign-offs waste time. Administrative professionals can advocate for delegation, automation, or tiered approval levels based on urgency.

2. Automate the Repetitive

Manual tasks slow down efficiency, and admins are often stuck at the center of them. By championing automation, whether through scheduling tools, document workflows, or AI-driven data entry, admins can free up time for higher-value work.

3. Challenge Legacy Processes

Just because a process has “always been done this way” doesn’t mean it should continue. Administrative professionals can review policies and procedures to determine which ones are outdated and propose more agile alternatives.

4. Act as the Bridge Between Departments

One of the biggest issues in bureaucracy is siloed communication. Admins interact with multiple teams and can serve as a bridge to break down unnecessary barriers.

5. Influence Culture Change

Bureaucracy isn’t just about processes. It’s also about mindset. If an organization resists change, even the best efficiency solutions won’t work. Admins can lead by example, showing that innovation doesn’t have to be disruptive in a negative way but can drive real progress.

Breaking Bureaucracy Without Breaking Everything

Moving fast and breaking things doesn’t mean creating chaos. It means being willing to challenge inefficiencies and drive meaningful change. Administrative professionals are in a unique position to do this, as they have firsthand knowledge of operational pain points and the ability to influence solutions.

By embracing innovation, championing efficiency, and advocating for smarter work methods, admins can transform their role from gatekeepers of processes to architects of progress.

It’s time to move fast, challenge outdated systems, and reshape the way organizations operate – one broken bureaucratic barrier at a time.