We’ve all had those moments where we’re searching for something we can’t quite find. For Bonnie Low-Kramen, that moment came while standing in a Barnes & Noble, staring at shelves full of books that didn’t have the one thing she needed. After spending years as a personal assistant to Olympia Dukakis, she wanted a guide that could help her be better at her job. But nothing existed. And instead of waiting for someone else to write it, she decided to do it herself. That’s where her journey really began, and it’s something we dove deep into during this episode of Never Been Promoted.
Bonnie’s story is full of unexpected turns, and it’s a reminder that sometimes the path you take isn’t the one you planned. You just have to follow where it leads and learn along the way.
The Moment You Realize No One’s Coming to Fix It
It’s funny how the biggest changes often come from the simplest moments. For Bonnie, that pivotal moment came when she was trying to find a resource for her job as a personal assistant—and it wasn’t there.
Instead of letting it go, she did what any true problem-solver does: she fixed it herself. She wrote Be the Ultimate Assistant, a book that didn’t exist but should have. The lesson? When you notice something missing, maybe it’s on you to fill the gap.
“I stood in Barnes & Noble looking for a book on how to be a better assistant and realized, if no one’s written it, then I need to.”
Bonnie didn’t set out to be a workplace expert or a TEDx speaker—she just wanted to do her job better. And that simple motivation launched her into a new career where she’s now helping others fix their workplace dynamics.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Don’t wait for someone else to create what you need—sometimes, you’re the one who has to do it.
- Pay attention to the gaps around you. Often, those gaps are opportunities.
- Big career shifts don’t always start with big ideas—they often start with practical needs.
Leaders Aren’t Always the Problem – But Their Lack of Training Is
As Bonnie’s career progressed, she started noticing a recurring theme: most workplace issues aren’t because leaders are bad people, but because they simply haven’t been trained. Bonnie shared a stat that really hit home for me—on average, leaders don’t get formal management training until they’re 42 years old. Think about that. They’ve been managing people for years before anyone teaches them how.
“A CEO told me that reading Staff Matters changed how he viewed his team. He realized the gaps were because he didn’t know how to manage them properly—and that’s not uncommon.”
The disconnect between leaders and their teams is real, and it’s mostly due to a lack of education. It’s not that people don’t care about their teams; it’s that they don’t know how to lead effectively. The problem is, if no one’s teaching leadership, toxic environments can form unintentionally.
What I Learned from Her Experience:
- Many leaders aren’t trained to manage people, which causes most workplace issues.
- The gap between leaders and their teams is often due to poor communication, not bad intentions.
- Toxic work environments can form because of ignorance, not malice. Fixing that requires education.
Reflections from the Interview
Talking to Bonnie really made me reflect on my own journey and what I’ve seen in the workplace. She reminded me that it’s not just about building a business—it’s about building relationships with the people who help you do it. You can’t get anywhere alone, and if you’re not paying attention to the people around you, you’re probably missing something big.
“I helped Olympia Dukakis maximize her 24 hours because I learned how to maximize mine. We weren’t boss and assistant; we were collaborators.”
That really stuck with me. Bonnie emphasized the importance of respecting and acknowledging the people you work with. It’s something I’ve seen time and time again—people don’t leave companies, they leave managers who don’t listen.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Leadership training shouldn’t be optional—it’s the foundation of a healthy workplace.
- If your team doesn’t feel safe speaking up, you’re missing out on important information.
- Titles matter. People want to feel that their role reflects their contribution.
- Building respect within your team is critical—you can’t succeed without it.
- Acknowledge the people who help you succeed. No one gets there alone.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you treat the people around you. Bonnie’s story is a perfect example of that. She started out just wanting to do her job better, and it led her to become a workplace expert who helps others build better environments. If there’s one thing to take from this, it’s that the people you work with are your greatest asset. Pay attention to them, listen to them, and respect them.
So, how are you showing up for your team? Are you creating a space where people feel valued, or are you just focused on the next project? It might be time to rethink how you’re leading.
CONNECT WITH BONNIE LOW-KRAMEN: